Good Morning!

I am in Texas for the next couple of weeks and it is mid June and it is hotter than hell here…seriously. San Antonio = Hell with humidity. I really enjoy the sun and the people here but to escape the heat you can stay indoors or you can brave it outdoors. If you are going to have some refreshments you have to be strategic and smart. If You are a guzzler in the heat, stick with the water do not make the EPIC failure of chugging margaritas or beers or super chilled white wines…you will not feel how quickly they sneak up on you!

I like chilled white wines by the pool or on the back porch and another one of my favorites is an easy to find Italian white wine called Soave. Soave is an area west of Veneto. Most Soaves are made with at least 70% Garganega grapes and normally they blend in Trebbiano or Chardonnay grapes to create a dry white wine.

This wine kinda had a bad reputation, like the girl who dated too many guys in High School, because it was used in much of the jug wines and it was never aged. But there are different levels of Soaves and each level will reflect different standards and different winemaking styles. Some will have a label that says Soave which is young and never aged…this is what I drink chilled by the pool. The other levels of Soaves will be labeled by saying Soave Classico which means it is from a smaller growing area on the hillside above the towns of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone. The highest level of quality is Soave Classico Superiore which must be aged at least 8 months before release.

There is a sweet Soave made each year and it is made by the recioto method. Recioto method is just like Amarone, they take the super ripe grapes and dry them out in drying rooms to concentrate the sugar. Fermentation is stopped before the sugars can turn into alcohol so the wine is wonderfully sweet if you find the sweet Soave…I LOVE it with French Vanilla ice cream, I am not kidding, it is awesome.

Just thought I would let you know of another great white wine that you can find under $11.00 a bottle that might help you expand your taste buds.

Try it and tell me all about your experience!

Much LOVE and wine,

Tammi