Summer time has officially arrived (except you wouldn’t know it here in San Diego–it’s the time of year we get the June Gloom and today it has drizzled all day) but anyway, summer is at least around the corner, and being the wine lover’s mystery author I figured I’d give a you a little low down on what would be perfect to drink up on those sweltering eves.

My grandma loved her White Zinfandel. She drank it with every possible meal combination you could think of, and because of Nana White zin was one of the first wines I ever tried and at the time I loved the sweet flavor. Another name for the white zin is the rose. When you think of rose you may think of pink, sweet wine, but I am here to tell you that isn’t necessarily the case. For those of you that linger for a drier rose, there are some great ones out there and they are perfect for the heat of summer.

here is one to try:

St. Michelle’s 2006 Nellie’s Garden Dry Rose.

This is a light fun wine. It has beautiful fruit aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry, raspberry with subtle spice notes. Enjoy this during your spring and summer parties and BBQ’s. It’s the perfect “deck” wine. It isn’t sweet at all and would also make a great wine for bridal showers with the pretty blush color.

Reislings also make great summer wines. Get them nice and cold and there is nothing better on a sultry hot night.

Here is one I like:

2003 Wynns Coonawarra Estate Riesling Coonawarra.

It has aromas of candied grapefruit peel and ginger, with a lower-toned note of mineral. Supple and dense, but not at all a fruity style of riesling. It would be great with seafood and chicken dishes.

2007 Vidal Ice Wine. This is a treat! It’s a delightful example of a wine made in the ice style, and is bursting with aromas of anjou pear, pineapple, honey and citrus. A full body coats the mouth with a taste of honey, maple, and highlights of pear and mineral. Enjoy as a complete dessert by itself, or serve with soft cheeses, fresh fruit, and creamy desserts.

Suavignon Blancs are great light wines and food friendly.

Try Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc
2001 Marlborough

It has a very pale green-gold color with strong citrus fruit, grapefruit, lemon-lime, fennel and mineral flavors.It finishes crisp and clean, long and strong. Bring the grilled pork loin with roasted garlic-cilantro-sage pesto, grilled asparagus spears and grilled fennel bulb slices! The wine is a great price at ten bucks.

For grilling streaks and burgers get out the reds. I like a good Cab with steak. Coppola makes a great reasonably pricved cab and one that I really love when I have a few extra dollars is made by a winery called Mi Sueno (My dream).

So there is the low down on summer wines, and I’ll leave you with a little teaser from the next book in the wine series out July 1–A Vintage Murder. Here is a great summer recipe and wine pairing from the book.

Hope you enjoy!

Cheers,
Michele
www.michelescott.com

Spicy Lamb Burgers/Marquis Philips Sarah’s Blend 2006

Things are starting to heat up nicely between Nikki and Derek, but if Nikki’s sixth sense is right, trouble is brewing at the Hahndorf Winery. Now, hopefully you have someone to heat things up with, but even if you don’t, invite some pals over and try a new take on an old American classic—The hamburger. These lamb burgers are tasty treats and with a good bottle of Shiraz like Sarah’s Blend you’ll be pleased you changed it up a bit. So, light up the barbie, mate, grab yourself a nice Shiraz and get cooking!

The Barossa valley was settled by German immigrants in the 19th century. The area is a warm-weather region. The valley is well known for producing excellent red wines; the Shiraz coming out of the region is some of the best in the world. The Shiraz vines are some of the oldest in Australia, which are prized because, with age, vines tend to lose some of their youthful vigor, which leads to smaller yields and more complex flavors.

Winemaker’s notes:
Fresh fruit aromas dominated by lifted spicy & blackcurrant fruit married in with opulent toasty oak.

The 2006 Shiraz was barrel-fermented and aged in predominantly American oak for twelve months. It offers up fragrant aromas of cedar, smoke, tar, blueberry, and blackberry liqueur. Full-bodied, opulent, and structured, this intense, well-balanced Shiraz will evolve for two-three years and drink well through 2016. It is an excellent value.

Spicy Lamb Burgers
1 pound ground lamb
2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon sherry
1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
1 teaspoon molasses
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 pita bread rounds
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

Directions
1. Preheat grill for medium heat.
2. Place the lamb in a large bowl, and mix with the mint, cilantro, oregano, garlic, sherry, vinegar, and molasses. Season with cumin, allspice, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Shape into 4 patties.
3. Brush grill grate with oil. Grill burgers 5 minutes on each side, or until well done. Heat the pita pocket briefly on the grill. Serve burgers wrapped in pitas with feta cheese.

A Vintage Murder, a Wine Lover’s Mystery
Coming July 1, 2008
Berkley Publishing Group
ISBN: 0425222543

Nikki and her boss-turned-boyfriend came to Australia to visit the Hahndorf Winery, but it seems they’ve also walked onto a movie set. And when lead actress Lucy Swanson is found dead in her trailer, bitten by a poisonous snake, Nikki must comb the vineyards of the valley to catch a killer with a venomous streak—before she’s struck herself.