In the summer, we leave our most prestigious wines in the cellar. At least for dinners on the balcony. If you drink wine outdoors, it can be difficult for the wine to compete with the aromas of nature. The scent of flowers and maybe a nice cooling wind. Especially if the wine is a bit discreet on the nose.
Also, you may want to relax from analysing the wine you drink in the summer and just enjoy the moment. That requires a wine with character without being exclusive. Summer is a good time for mid-priced wines.
These wines had problems during a certain period several years ago. People wanted to either have really cheap wines or really prestigious and expensive ones. The middle-priced wines ended up in a no man’s land. That is no longer the case. In some wine regions, most wines are mid-priced wines, such as Languedoc, Rhône, Savoie, Jura, and the Loire, to take a few French examples of gold mines for mid-priced wines.
But even prestigious chateaux in Bordeaux enter the middle-price segment. The wines differ from ordinary chateau wines. We have tasted reasonably priced 100% malbec from Médoc, 100% carmenère from Côtes de Bordeaux and merlot from Saint Emilion without oak ageing, just a delicious fruit. There is a clientele for this type of wine, perhaps those that have given up on Bordeaux as old-fashioned and boring. Give them a petit verdot, and they change their minds. (Although old-fashioned Bordeaux is delicious too.)
We talked to a producer in Fitou in Languedoc last week, who mentioned the importance of knowing your customer. His long-time loyal customers do not want any changes. They like their Fitou in the traditional style, the way it has always tasted. But to attract new customers, the younger ones, in particular, he makes “single grapes wines” outside the appellation laws, e.g. a 100% carignan (the star grape in Fitou but unfortunately not allowed as a single grape) with a trendy designed label.
Whatever you drink in the summer, outdoors or indoors, spare a thought for the temperature. Warm wine makes no one happy, regardless of colour. Use the refrigerator, and don’t forget that it will take longer than you think to cool the wine (three hours at least from room temperature to 6-8 degrees C). Do not be afraid to use the freezer, but set the egg timer, so you do not forget (maximum 45 minutes). Ice and water in a beautiful ice bucket is always a good idea. And an ice cube in the glass for a few minutes can definitely be accepted. At least for some wines.
And by the way, the “optimal” summer aperitif must surely be vermouth with its aroma and taste of herbs and other aromatic plants. Vermouth feels a bit retro for some, but it is on the rise in France. It is our favourite aperitif, so we have probably helped a little there. Straight with a slice of lemon or with a splash of tonic, the summer could not be more complete.
Vote for us
The English travel magazine Food and Travel has started a poll on the best destination, restaurant and – of course – best tour operator. We are so specialised (and small), so it is not easy to be seen in such contexts. But we would be happy if you cast a vote for us!
Vote here for BKWine Tours in the category “tour operators”:
https://foodandtravel.com/awards
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Champagne tour in September
There are still a few places available for our wine tour in Champagne in late September.
Book now!
Go on a wine and adventure tour this winter
For those who want to go on long-distance tours and great adventures, we have good news: The restrictions for Chile and Argentina have eased, so now we can say with great certainty that the wine tour to South America can go ahead.
The same already applies to the other long tours we have, so now you have three to choose from:
- Chile-Argentina in January
- South Africa in February
- New Zealand in March
These are tours with unique and magnificent experiences.
More info on our wine tours here. “World’s Top Wine Tours”.
Enjoy the Brief!
Britt & Per
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What’s on at BKWine Tours
BKWine is also one of the world’s leading wine tour operators. Here’s what we currently have on our scheduled wine tour program:
- Bordeaux and Champagne, Sept 28 – Oct 6, 2022
- Champagne, Sept 28 – Oct 2, 2022 – BOOK NOW!
- Bordeaux, October 2-6, 2022
- Chile-Argentina, January 16-29, 2023 – BOOK NOW!
- South Africa, February 8-18, 2023 – BOOK NOW!
- New Zealand, March 15-30, 2023 – BOOK NOW!
We also make custom designed wine tours.
We’re different than most other wine tour operators. We are people who know wine inside out, who travel constantly in wine regions, who write award winning books about wine. Who do this out of passion. Our tours are different from others. More in wine tours: BKWineTours.com.
