Sips and Guzzles

Telling me I can't drink red wine during the summer is like telling me what time I have to go to bed. If you enjoy some depth in your glass from a red sipper on a warm summer day, just drink one! And often a medium to light bodied red is the perfect compliment to nearly any food that comes off a grill. That is certainly true for the three wines I'd like to introduce to you today. All of them are medium to light bodied and would be great choices for relaxing on a summer day, with or without a nosh.

1. LOVELY LILLY, 2014, Pinot Noir, Shelter Winery, Germany, $19
This was a delicious find. It is a lighter, easy sipper which offers strawberry tones on the nose, a bit darker berry in the taste, and lovely slightly earthy finish. I tried this with a variety of substantial cheese, and it complimented everything from hearty aged gouda to a simple local goat cheese. A wonderful wine with food, and certainly a pleasant sipper with nothing but you and a sunset.

2. THE UPRISING-RED WINE, Red Blend aged in Rum Barrels, 19 Crimes Winery, Australia, $10
This is an immediate fix. Often criticized by the snoots for its....wide appeal. The wine is juicy and cherry flavored, but the funk comes in the 30-day rum barrel aging it accepts nicely. The nose is firstly rum. Definitively rum. Every sip offers cherry and raspberry flavors with a distinct rummy finish. I wanted to be less accepting, but we drank the bottle in record time. As a summer party red wine, this is an obvious and easy choice. And the company's app for your smartphone will offer a fun twist. Its even more fun after the second glass....

3. SHOOTING STAR BLUE FRANC, 2013, Blaufränkisch, Steele, Washington State, $14
You don't have to pronounce it, just drink it! An excellent example of the diverse offerings of Washington state grapes, and the creativity of Steele vineyards. This grape may be new to you, but it has been around awhile, even in the Pacific Northwest. It is lighter-bodied, and nicely balanced with cranberry tartness, mint and wild blueberries and raspberries. It brings a vanilla, woodsy and slight smokey finish. Its a unique wine, but why not try something that might be new to you? The food pairings are endless. I'd recommend it with anything grilled- lamb, pork, chicken, veggies, especially.

Have you tried any of these wines? Are there other 'summery reds' you could pass to our peeps?