We asked New York City-based wine consultant Jaime Dutton a few questions about wine to help us get through the summer.
Sipping Champagne from coupes. Brideshead Revisted (1981)
What’s the best wine trick to instantly make a meal more “summery?”
Put a pretty ice bucket on the middle of the table with a bottle of red, white and rose in it.
Also, mix a nice white wine with some sliced peaches, a lemon wedge, fresh mint and a little bit of sparkling water and you have a delicious, summery drink.
Best wine to pair with lobster or fish?
White – a crisp, bright (meaning with fresh acidity, not heavy or buttery) Chardonnay from Macon (Domaine Chene, Heritiers de Comte-Lafon) or a Bourgogne Blanc (Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey, Thierry Matrot). I also love a great Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley in the summer – Quincy (Domaine Mardon), Pouilly-Fume (Domaine Alain Cailbourdin) or Sancerre (Domaine Bailly-Reverdy) are all regions where you can find delicious summer whites.
Red – I would suggest a lightly chilled Beaujolais like a Fleurie, Morgon or Brouilly. These wines are all 100% Gamay and there are many great Beaujolais producers that are making very delicious, fruit driven wines – nothing better with grilled fish. As for producers look for Jean-Marie Foillard, Marcel Lapierre, Chateau Thivin – they are all delicious, especially when served slightly chilled.
Beer and Veuve with my mom's lobster dinner on Cape Cod for July 4th.
Best wine to pair with grilled steak?
For summer evenings on our terrace I like a Syrah from the Northern Rhone (Christophe Curtat – Saint Joseph Rouge, Alain Graillot – Crozes-Hermitage) or a Cotes du Rhone (Domaine de la Remejeanne, Domaine Escaravailles). These are simple wines––we enjoy them at home and they are great in the summer.
Best wine to give as a summer weekend house gift?
Something that you love to drink. I think Rosé is a nice gift. You can never drink enough Rose in the summer. Another idea is the fixings for a Kir Royale––a bottle of Creme de Cassis and a bottle of a dry sparkling wine (Champagne or Cremant de Bourgogne) or a bottle of Bourgogne Aligoté. A little bit of Cassis in the bottom of the glass, topped off with the white wine and you have a delicious, refreshing and lovely drink.
Great simple summery recipe accompanied with wine?
Pesto pasta and summer squash served with a lovely glass of Chateau Thivin, Cote de Brouilly 2007.
Dom or Veuve?
Dom of course – but the price difference between the two make it a hard comparison. The best way to go with Champagne is “grower-Champagne” not the big brands (check out the Champagne that is imported by Terry Theise). From the Champagne houses, I always reach for Pol Roger or Nicolas Feuillante.
Champagne coupes in Brideshead Revisted (1981)
What is your favorite drinking glass for wine or champagne?
Champagne – I like the old-school crystal Champagne Tulips (coupes), they are so classic, elegant and pretty.
House wines – we like to drink out of the Spanish tumblers that we picked up in the Basque Country. They are shallow glasses, but perfect for a little glass of wine.
Classic champagne coupe.
Email Jaime Dutton at jdwine@gmail.com
