gluggy
By Mike Muirhead, Sommelier( ISG, CMS), CSW
Ah, the summertime. Time to kick back, relax, spend some time on the deck, and enjoy a cocktail, or a chilled glass of wine with some friends. Summertime in Winnipeg is much like Christmas: it only happens once a year, and by God, we’ re going to enjoy it. It is also a time when dropin company is not hindered by the sub-zero temperatures, or even the predatory mosquitoes. With the exodus to the out-of-doors, a summertime survival guide is imperative, when you feel like inviting the neighbours over, you want to celebrate the sun, or it just happens to be Thursday night and you have no plans.
In case an emergency patio party breaks out, here follows the survival kit that will make you the host( ess) with the most( est):
Wine glasses – The Riedel O stemless glasses don’ t tip over— even if your guests do. For the more cautious, try some fun plastic patio glasses( which are also great for camping).
Ice bucket – Keep your white wines cold in the blazing sun with a Vacuvin insulated wine cooler that is kept in the freezer until you need it. Float your Riedel O glasses in the ice water for the extra chill.
Frozen fruit – Fruit is a great replacement for ice, and keeps your Sangria or wine cocktail cool, with a little bit of flair.
Cork screw – Self-explanatory, really.
Beer cozies – A Canadian classic, and another way to keep your wine cocktail cool when served in high ball glasses.
Wine – See below for our summertime picks that will keep your guests( and your wallet) happy!
As we watch our savings flounder in the current economy, it is perhaps economy of scale that matters the most. One great thing about modern technology and modern winemaking techniques is that there are plenty of large format options that suit all occasions, whether it is a 1.5 Litre bottle; a 2, 3, or 4 Litre Bag-in-a-Box; or Tetra Pack.
For years, one of our favourite summertime drinks has been the Lolailo Sangria( see the Product Review on page 22). This box is best kept in the fridge so that it is chilled and ready to serve at impromptu gatherings. �
COLIO BIANCO SECCO AND ROSSO SECCO, NIAGARA $ 18.99
Colio Estates has been around for almost 30 years, and their passion and dedication to wines of the Lake Erie North Shore are reflected in winemaker Carlo Negri’ s wines. New to Banville & Jones from Colio Estates, these funky blends are the latest from Colio’ s new winery on the Niagara Peninsula. Both the Rosso( red) and Bianco( white) are easy drinking, dry wines that go with a wide variety of foods. They are a perfect pairing for patio tapas, barbeque pizza, and lighter fair. Both are available in the 1.5 L format and under screw cap( so you don’ t even have to worry about the aforementioned corkscrew!). www. banvilleandjones. com 51