'TIS THE SEASON: SUMMERTIME PARTY FAVES
Sprezzatura Beverages LLC, Sprezza Rosato Spritz
Sprezza is a dry, bubbly and refreshing Italian spritz made by combining aromatized wine from Piedmont, bold cocktail bitters, mineral water and carbonation. In the 1950s a handful of aperitivo producers in northern Italy experimented with carbonating and bottling their aromatized wines; when the folks at Sprezza discovered this lost Italian art they were inspired to give it new life, using use only the finest natural ingredients like the pioneers before them. Their Rosato Spritz is dry, bubbly, and refreshing, flamingo-like in color, bright and beautiful with notes of grapefruit, hibiscus and lime.
C. Cassis is made by Rachael Petach in the Hudson Valley, just a few miles from where their blackcurrants are grown. A sparkling blackcurrant cocktail made with only real ingredients, C.Cassis’s CC Spritz brings together lightly fermented Hudson Valley blackcurrants, with vibrant botanicals, citrus peel, crisp seltzer, and just a touch of wild honey.
Domaine Jacky Marteau 'Lulu' Crémant de Loire
A sparkler perfectly suited for sunny days with friends. Ludivine "Lulu" Marteau embraces traditional winemaking passed down from family, and balances this with modern technology and innovation. The delicate, mineral-driven freshness of the wine is much like the label: bright, light and inviting. Half Cabernet Franc and the balance equal parts Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, all sustainably farmed and crafted by hand with love.
Felix Gruner Veltliner BIO (Liter!)
Grüner Veltliner is one of the most versatile grape varieties there is; a perennial crowd-pleaser, Felix Grüner Veltliner is serving all of the juicy zip you'll be wanting - and in a party-ready liter, no less. (Bonus? The Felix label is overseen by none other than Stefan Wellanschitz of Dandy fave producer, Kolfok!)
Roberto Henriquez, Rivera Del Notro Orange (2022)
Staff fave and natural wine maestro icon Roberto Henriquez crafts singular, vivid expressions from ancient vines in the south of Chile. A blend of Muscat of Alexandria, Corinto (the Chilean name for Chasselas), and Sémillon from vines that average at least 100 years of age, the wine sees three months of skin contact, adding textural structure to this vibrantly aromatic and fresh orange wine. Easy-drinking while having nuance to spare.
Ampeleia, Rosato di Ampeleia (2022)
Attention Unlitro Super Fans! Meet your new go-to rosato. From the same superstars of the Tuscan coast that brought you the uber-gulpable liter of red, "Rosato di Ampeleia" is an absolute banger. Their first rosato, "Rosato di Ampeleia" is the result of combining two grape varieties: whole clusters of Alicante Nero (a distinctly Tuscan biotype of sun-loving Grenache) are left to infuse in the must of Carignano grapes and are pushed to the surface by fermentation, where they sway and delicately release their flavor. The result is a brilliantly colored rosato, dry yet structured with refreshing acidity and chock full of summer berry fruit, blood orange, sun-kissed watermelon and a hint of sea air salinity.
Domaine de l’Ecu, Syrah Nobis Love & Grapes
The heat is on but you're looking for a cool red to enjoy with burgers and dogs right off of the grill? Look no further!
Roark Wine Co. "VINO" is an easy-drinking, juicy, light and a hint savory red that simply shines with a solid chill. Hailing from Santa Barbara's Santa Ynez Valley, "VINO" is a party-ready mixtape of sustainably grown Pinot Noir, Syrah, & Grenache with a little Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, & Grenache Blanc to balance it all out. Over the years the Roark team have held back barrels to build a solera: the oldest wine in the mix is from 2013 and the youngest is 2021, hence the non-vintage designation and the layered depth to this guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
While Rhône Syrahs aren't the most frequent feature in the chilled red category, the inside scoop is that many wine pros love to get a healthy chill on these baddies - and Domaine de l'Ecu's "Love & Grapes Nobis" is a top-notch option to enjoy after a spell in the cooler. Pure lush juiciness, a touch of spice, and an elegant structure that belies it's youth, drink this on it's own or enjoy with steak, burgers or hearty portobello that's fresh off the grill.
