Viognier, Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay and Dry Rosé are the stars of the season
Summertime means picnic season: it’s one of our favorite ways to spend those lazy days of summer. All you need is a blanket, a delicious light spread, and, of course, some wine. We’ve got just the summer wine picks for you to elevate even the simplest summer spread. Ferrari-Carano’s 2019 Viognier, 2018 Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay, and 2020 Dry Rosé are light, refreshing wines that pair perfectly with summer weather and great company.
Ferrari-Carano 2019 Viognier
Our 2019 Viognier (pronounced “vee-own-yay”) is a French grape varietal and a perfect, full-bodied summertime wine. Our Viognier fruit comes from a single vineyard atop our mountain ranch in Alexander Valley. Floral and mouthwatering aromas give way to flavors of orange blossom, fresh peach, vanilla, honeysuckle, and marshmallow with tropical fruit accents of lychee, coconut, guava and papaya. It’s basically summer in a glass.
This fruit-forward wine makes a great picnic companion with fruit and floral notes that pair well with an overflowing cheese board. Indulge with French cheeses like brie, camembert, or blue cheese to accompany this wine. Or, for lighter fare, pair with sushi or sashimi. The flavors of the wine balance with the flavors of the raw fish, great for a light meal outside.
Ferrari-Carano 2018 Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay
Emelia’s Cuvée Chardonnay is one of our Vineyard Select Chardonnays and sourced from a single vineyard in the Russian River Valley. 15 months of French oak aging adds complexity and richness to our carefully hand-picked fruit. This wine features aromas of tropical fruits like pineapple, citrus, lychee, and nectarine with flavors of lush fruit, lemon and dried apricots.
This Chardonnay would be great with a smoked salmon spread, lemony chicken salad, or light pasta. It also pairs nicely with Caesar salad or any salad with a fruit-based dressing like a spring salad with pecans, feta, and raspberry vinaigrette. For a dessert, try lemon bars, the tart flavor will enhance the notes of lemon and citrus in the wine.
This wine is perfect on its own or ideal with many types of cuisines. We love it with seafood, like oysters on the half shell, or pan-seared scallops, as well as with spicy entrees or dishes with lively citrus sauces.
Ferrari-Carano 2020 Dry Rosé
A picnic without a cold, crisp Rosé? We say no way. Our 2020 Dry Rosé is an easy-drinking, warm-weather favorite and the star of a perfect picnic. It’s a deliciously fragrant Sangiovese blend that won Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle 2021 Wine Competition. With aromas and flavors of watermelon, freshly picked strawberries, pomegranate, raspberries, and orange blossom on the finish, sipping this will remind you of the best of summer’s bounty. Serve this wine well chilled and you’ll find it refreshing with its crisp acidity.
This gorgeous pink wine is a true summer MVP. It’s versatile, pairing well with nearly anything at a summer feast. Drink it on its own or with favorite summertime seafood like crab, salmon, or grilled shrimp. Enjoy it with salad Niçoise, melon wrapped in prosciutto, or with fresh fruit and goat cheese. This wine complements it all.
Celebrate summer with refreshing, fruit-forward Ferrari-Carano wines and bring some with you for your next picnic or seaside excursion. Just make sure you have enough to share!
