S.W AND RICH HERMANSEN
Staff Writers
wine@lbknews.com
Summer has its own special outdoor events and adventures, celebrations, and menus for lunch and dinner. Choosing the right
beverages for these occasions takes some thought and smart shopping. We try to find light, refreshing, and healthy alternatives to supersized sugary soft drinks, six-packs of mass market beer, and bottles of buttery, oaky California Chardonnay or supermarket Cabernet Sauvignon. So here goes bargain beverages for summertime settings.
Beach and pool parties
Beverages in cans seem better choices for these occasions. For those who prefer not to drink from cans, bring along “keeper” plastic glasses such as Turvis Tumblers or stemless plastic wine glasses. A twelve-pack of Samuel Adams Beers of Summer ($20) will match up to a wide range of tastes: Summer Ale, Porch Rocker, American Light, and Blueberry Lager. Also consider a non-alcoholic alternative, Dos Equis Lime and Salt Zero ($11/6-pack). Wine drinkers enjoy Sofia (Coppola) Brut Rosé and Blanc de Blancs sparkling wines in cans ($10/4-pack), or an Underwood Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris ($7/12-ounce can) from Oregon. Children and adults find seltzer infused with fruit juices tasty and healthy. Add a light dose of agave nectar to drinks for children, and red wine or a liquor such as Vermouth Rosso with bitters to seltzer drinks for adults.
Backyard BBQs
Selections of beverages depend on the setting. Casual lunches or dinners ranging from hotdogs to hamburgers and chicken quarters, and to pork or beef ribs work best with mixtures of beer and lemonade, Shandy’s in England, pale ale, or white wines with body such as Marsanne and Rosanne from the Provence region in southern France or light red wines such as Beaujolais from France or a Garnacha (Grenache) from Spain. For a more formal dinner with grilled meats, think game birds with Pinot Noir, rack of lamb with Syrah, or beefsteak with French Bordeaux or California Cabernet Sauvignon. The 2022 Comstock Pinot Noir ($20) from the Sonoma Coast in California rates as an amazing value. The 2021 d’Arenberg Footbolt Shiraz ($18) has the depth of dark fruit flavors required to tame the savory fats in a grilled rack of lamb, while the 2021 Auspicious Cabernet Sauvignon ($13) has the knack of Cabs to enhance heavy beef hot from the grill.
Shell and Fin Fish
Whether in a restaurant overlooking the water, on the deck of a beach house, or in a backyard, a feast of lobster, shrimp, oysters, crab, scallops, shrimp, grilled fresh fish, or other delicacies from the ocean or lake enhance summer afternoons and evenings. A White Burgundy (Chardonnay) highlights the drawn butter and sweet, salty tastes of steamed or broiled lobster. The 2021 La Chablisienne Vibrant Petit Chablis ($24) works well with lobster, oysters, shrimp, and grilled white fish, and it costs a fraction of what other fine White Burgundies cost. Steamed blue crabs don’t require anything more than a basic lager or pilsner beer (in Baltimore, “Natty Bo” National Bohemian), though a citrusy Sauvignon Blanc such as the 2023 Matua Sauvignon Blanc ($11) from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Spanish sparkling Brut Blanco or Brut Rosé Cava, true bargains, pair well with most of the summer seafood specialties.
When travelling by car, consider buying wines and spirits before going to vacation spots. Prices may be higher and availability problematic at your destination. When travelling by airline, check online beverage shopping sites for possible shipments to your destination. Safe travels this summer!
S. W. Hermansen has used his expertise in econometrics, data science and epidemiology to help develop research databases for the Pentagon, the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Agriculture, and Health Resources and Services. He has visited premier vineyards and taste wines from major appellations in California, Oregon, New York State, and internationally from Tuscany and the Piedmont in Italy, the Ribera del Duero in Spain, the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in Australia, and the Otego Valley in New Zealand. Currently he splits time between residences in Chevy Chase, Maryland and St. Armand’s Circle in Florida.
Rich Hermansen selected has first wine list for a restaurant shortly after graduating from college with a degree in Mathematics. He has extensive service and management experience in the food and wine industry. Family and friends rate him as their favorite chef, bartender, and wine steward. He lives in Severna Park, Maryland.
