Lighten Up with Wine
It’s time to lighten up and enjoy the beautiful weather that spring and summer bring. That means looking for lighter menu items and fabulous wines to pair with them. Let World Market take you on a quick trip around the globe and show you how the rest of the world lightens up—with wine!
Winter is finally starting to loosen its grip, and spring and summer are trying to break through. The days are getting longer and warmer, and it’s the time of year that our tastes turn to fresh and easy menu items. These cool, light foods demand a lighter and crisper wine to complement them. Italy is probably one of the first places to come to mind when you think of where to find amazing food and wine combinations. Let’s take a quick trip across the ocean to one of my favorite countries where the food is always abundant and the wine is always flowing.
In the heart of northern Italy, just a short distance from Venice, Florence and Milan, is where one of the most well known and well loved of all Italian wines, Lambrusco, originates. This region is warm and sunny in the summer, and Lambrusco is the perfect beverage for the comfortable climate as well as the casual entertaining for which this area is known the world over. These delectable wines are light, flavorful and low in alcohol, so they’re the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon picnic, a lazy weekend brunch or a light dinner enjoying the sunset.
Made in the traditional style, Solato Rosso Dolce Lambrusco is a frizzante, or slightly effervescent wine, that’s light and refreshing. It boasts fresh fruit aromas and has a delightfully well-balanced yet sweet finish that highlights strawberry and cherry notes. This wine is equally perfect served with appetizers like mild cheeses and cold cuts or with a main course of your favorite pasta. Be sure to keep a few bottles on hand for those last-minute picnics, too!
Solato Bianco Dolce Lambrusco is a lightly sparkling wine that offers bright floral aromas, light melon notes and a hint of honey that gives it a pleasantly sweet finish. This wine is best served with pastries or sweet breads for brunch or with light lunch items like salads and quiche. It is also ideal with lighter desserts or served as an aperitif. Served chilled in champagne or wine glasses, it brings a little bit of sunshine to your meals. It’s also wonderful for celebrations like birthdays, showers and weddings.
Next Stop – South Africa
Now for another thirst-quenching warm-weather drink. It comes from a most unexpected place – South Africa. A fascinating little fruit called marula is found in South Africa and is one of the key ingredients in Pomula, a delightful wine and fruit beverage. Pomula is a crisp white wine blended with the delicious and healthy juices of marula and pomegranate to give this exotic beverage a tasty twist. It has a bit of sweet and a bit of sparkle so it’s sure to be a hit at your next warm-weather celebration. Serve this with your favorite salads or chicken or pork dishes. Perfect with fruits and desserts, it’s sure to be a summertime staple. The beautiful color looks like a sunset in a glass. Serve it well chilled with beautiful garnishes like strawberries or sugared grapes.
The weather is warmer, the food lighter and the beverages chilled and delicious. Lighten up your menus with lots of fresh veggies and fruits, seafoods and pastas. Pour cool and delicious sparkling wines from around the world. Lighten up your entertaining by making it casual and easy for your guests and yourself. Enjoy the season and let the warm-weather celebration begin!
