Wine embodies the spirit of summer; get together, parties, celebrations and the good life. Contrary to the typical impression that wines are only for selected occasions, wine can also be a fun drink and a great cocktail mix, affordable as it is healthy. There are more benefits that we can get from wines than from the usual summer drinks.
As the summer season starts with the rising temperature of 36.3 degrees, more people are seeking refuge from the heat of the sun in wide strips of white sand beaches across the country. And what better way to cool off the summer heat but a glass of cool drinks while lying on the beach under the shade of a coconut tree. Classic! But instead of the usual summer cocktails and drinks or the unhealthy soft drinks, why not try something new, like indulging yourself with a white or bubbly wine while sun bathing in the sands of Bora or Bohol.
“Wine is like food, it all depends on what you feel like having at a certain moment. It's all about experience, that's the beauty of the wine world,” says Bobby Lim Joseph, Chairman of Ralph's Wines and Spirits.
According to Joseph, there are wines that will go with summer vacations, for the families, group of friends and lovers who are out to enjoy the laidback beach life even for an escapade. So whether you are just chilling on the beach, having a barbecue enjoying a sunset or having an al fresco dining, there are wines perfect for your every activities under the sun.
Light white wines are very much recommended for a very hot morning or afternoon at the beach. Light wines have lesser alcohol content compared to full bodied wine, ranging from 6.5% to 8%. Sol de Espana's (P185) semi-sweet white wines would be perfect for young people who are just starting to appreciate wines as well Italian wine Lambrusco Emilia (P225) or Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc wines like Australia's Sweet Lips Gossips (295). While sweet wines can be chilled for as long as you want, red wines are restricted to only 5-10 minutes in the ice bucket. Joseph explains cold temperature intensify the tannins, which caused the bitter, puckery taste in the mouth after consumption of red wine.
For a big group of friends, you can try making your own wine cocktail by mixing 7-up or Sprite and ice with white wine to have an instant spritzer. A 750cl white and four cans of Sprite is a very refreshing drink for everyone.
For barbecues, whether it is seafood or meat, take note of the ingredients and seasoning that was used. Sweet or semi-sweet wines are recommended for spicy seafood so as not to kill the taste while for regular seafood barbeque, a bottle of Montes Alpha Classic (P1,200) Chardonnay or Rose (P325) Sauvignon Blanc would be perfect.
And of course, who will forget sunset dates and candle lit dinners on the beach. A light and fruity wine will be the ideal start up for a romantic conversation. As the night progress and the breeze become chilly, it is time to shift to dry or semi-dry variety until the nightcap.
Life is about indulgence, and one way to pamper yourself is by enjoying the beach with a fun, healthy drink, sans the carbo and sugar, and all the goodness of grapes!
