Summer Luxury : White Burgundy

L-R, Domaine Michel-Andreotti 2012 Montagney1er cru, $29.99 ; 

William Fevre 2013 Chablis "Champs Royaux", $29.99 (sale $26.99);

Domaine Marc Morey 2013 Rully, $25.99

Summer is an easy time of year, all about relaxing and keeping cool through slow movement and cold drink.  What most of us want this time of year is good food and delicious drink that we don't have to think about too much. Better to spend your energy on the good company you keep. But that doesn't mean we can't enjoy a little Old World luxury now and then. If you're looking to spoil yourself a little, classic white Burgundy is just the trick.

For those that don't already know, white wine from Burgundy is chardonnay. But it's not just chardonnay, it's the chardonnay, as in the old stuff, the original, the reason why chardonnay is even a thing in the world at all. The grape, prolific in California, enjoyed a widespread popularity among American drinkers in the eighties and nineties. Frequently fermented in oak barrels, California chards were known for their big, buttery texture a sweet leaning flavor profile redolent of tropical fruits. These same characteristics that popularized the wine led to it's own decline as American drinkers grew to be more wine savvy. And then there's white Burgundy.

Burgundy chardonnay is an exercise in understated complexity. While many of the best examples can reach upwards of $100/bottle, there are quite a few excellent expressions of the wine available for $30 or less. Unlike many of it's California counterparts, oak barrel influence plays a minor role, remaining more in the background to add texture and a luxurious richness while allowing the fruit character and natural acidity of the wine to take center stage. Golden in color, lush in texture, and yet still delicate, white Burgundy is the perfect choice with dishes as simple as a classic roasted whole chicken or as decadent as oysters.

And nothing, by which I mean nothing, is a better compliment to lobster with drawn butter. It may be hot outside, but that doesn't mean we should have hot dogs and beer everyday, does it?

Red Wine on a Hot Day

With Summer in full swing, crisp whites and cool roses rule the day. But Summer is also the season for grilling red meat, typically a red wine food. So what's the best choice on those hot days when most red wines would be too much? These four reds are just what you need.

Festejo Tempranillo

La Mancha, Spain ($7.99)

Festejo Tempranillo is a great easy going wine to get to know. Medium bodied, lush and fruity, with a sippable low acidity. You can pretty much throw any food at this wine, but we think it works best with medium hard cheeses, backyard snacks, and even burgers. At $7.99, it's the perfect base for your next Sangria recipe too.

Rosso Ribelle Sangiovese

Maremma Toscana, Italy ($16.99)

Tuscany is famous for it's Sangiovese based wines, most notably of course Chianti. This is the other Sangiovese. Rich, earthy, yet fairly mellow, with a high toned cherry fruit note, but without the tart acidity found in many Italian wines, this one is right at home with a fresh caprese salad, cold tortellini, pizza, pasta dishes, and good friends. 

Iby Blaufrankisch

Burgenland, Austria ($17.99)

Never heard of Blaufrankisch? Sure you have, the rest of the world  calls it pinot noir. What many people don;t realize is that this grape has grown in Austria for ages. This wine boasts a robust smokiness, a good deal of earth, and a lot of depth, all on a deceptively light frame. Grab a bottle and throw a little chill on it if you dare. Show up with this at the next cook out you're invited to and be the guest who brought something so much more interesting than just another six pack.

Domaine Guillot-Broux "Beaumont" 

Macon-Cruzille, France ($29.99)

The sub-region of Macon in Burgundy, France is known almost exclusively for it's classic whites from the chardonnay grape, but historically this wasn't always the case. Domaine Guiloot-Broux hearkens back to a time before Maconnais reds all but disappeared. Made from the historically accurate 100% Gamay, this wine is soft and delicate, but with a woodsy feel redolent of rosemary and sage. This makes the perfect choice when you're looking to splurge a little. Great with more refined grilled fair, such as marinated flank steak, pork tenderloin in mustard and herbs, or lamb shops with rosemary. Grab a bottle next time you feel like a little bit of celebrating.

Whites and roses may quench the thirst with their cool ease, but theirs nothing like meat cooked over an open fire with a great red wine. Get to the butcher, light the charcoal, call some friends, and grab a bottle or two today.