Summer Reds

Grenache is one of our favorite grapes, just for the number of different expressions it can yield. When very ripe, it can produce wines of great power and ageability, but subtler styles can be as delicate and nuanced as Pinot Noir. This wine, from the Northeast of Spain, is somewhere between the two. With a nose of dark flowers and fruits, the palate is full, but drinkable, with minor tannins.

Grenache, or Garnacha in this instance, is a barbecue wine par excellence, particularly when it comes to pork - this will be spectacular beside a high-quality chorizo or plate of savory ribs, but is also delicate enough to match vegetables with a bit of sweetness like beets or fall squash.

David Beaupere is a true artist with the gamay grape, and this is a refreshingly quaffable example of the variety. Opening with pure notes of ripe raspberry and cherry, and just a touch of wet stone, the palate is dynamic, long, and yet light on its feet with the same fruit notes, and a tense mineral streak.

There's no better pairing than the right gamay and a classic hamburger, and Beaupere's certainly fits the bill. It will also do well with lighter grilled proteins like chicken or even salmon, or a platter of roasted farmer's market veggies with olive oil.

A wild berry bush of a wine, the Unchained Rot opens with notes of black raspberry, sweet cherry, and just a hint of wood smoke before moving to a palate with lush, full fruit, light brambly tannin, and streaks of mineral complexity.

Martin Obenaus is himself a great hunter, and this wine will be right at home beside wild game like roasted pheasant or a wild boar ragù, but also meatier salads like a lyonnaise, or just by itself as a richer aperitif.

A real, robust Pinot from the south of France, the "Les Colombiers" opens with pure red cherry, sassafras, and just a touch of freshly-dropped leaves, while the palate is full-fruited and rich, with the same red fruit beside a long, grippy finish.

A great wine to pair with flavorful proteins like duck confit, or lamb skewers, the Colombiers will also pair well with well-spiced, grilled, marinated chicken.

Pipeño is a unique wine style to Chile, where it's made as a kind of table wine distinct from the country's big, bold Cabernets and Carmenères. Recently, the style has been reclaimed by ambitious wineries that seek to make a wine that is easy-drinking, yes, but also full of flavorful depth and nuance. The Longavi opens with lovely, direct notes of red cherry, and blackberry, along with just a touch of fresh herbs, while the palate is vibrant and full-fruited with a distinctly mineral edge.

A great wine to drink on its own in the early afternoon as an aperitif, the Pipeño will do well beside lots of simple, delicious grilled preparations like lamb or beef skewers, grilled chorizo with pickled red onion, or some black trumpet mushrooms with garlic butter.

Imogen Berry and Robin Althoff are among our favorite "next-generation" growers, and their project of reclaiming old vineyards, organic farming, and minimal intervention in the winery yields stunning wines like the Lopin. Opening with effusive notes of violet, ripe strawberry, and just a kiss of vanilla, the palate is velvety and layered, with those strawberry fruits, deep earthen elements, and serious finish.

A lovely pairing companion for many types of proteins, the Lopin will be spectacular beside a plate of duck breast with a sweet reduction, roasted chicken with herb jus and french fries, or something as light as grilled prawns with chili butter.