58°
Substituting wine for a traditional beer is a decision that needs to be carefully thought out before attending a party. While beer acts as a palate cleanser and complements meat's richness and fat with acidity and coldness, several wines can offer the same effect. "Sparkling wine acts as a refreshing substitute for beer," said Louie Ingles, owner of Wineology. "There are also several high-acid white wines like dry Riesling, Grüner Veltliner and Sauvignon Blanc that will work nicely."
Most summer parties take place in the heat, which is why guests may prefer a cold beer or a frozen cocktail. However, serving a chilled wine can be just as effective under the hot sun. "When you chill a wine with big tannins, it acts more like iced tea and becomes extremely refreshing," said Ingles. "Even some cheaper reds taste better when you put them on ice or in the fridge for a few hours."
Some wine drinkers may disagree, but Ingles believes pairing barbecue food with a fruity wine like Pinot Noir, Rosé or a Moscato results in the best taste. “A lot of people will say an oak-tasting wine goes well with barbecue, because the smoke and the oak barrel flavor match up," said Ingles. "I don’t agree. With smoke, the best pairing is a wine with rich fruit.”
Bringing wine to a barbecue may not be the most party-goes's first instinct, but with the right selection, it can steal the show. "I think good wine should be at every outdoor party this summer," said Ingles. "Cheap beer shouldn't be the only choice."
If you're looking for the perfect bottle of summer wine, visit the experts at Wineology in Pawling or call at (845) 855-8463.
