Summer Reds and How to Drink Them

Summer is around the corner here in the Northern Hemisphere, and per usual, everybody is talking about white wines and ros�. But what if you just don't want that? There are some who say there are "rules" to drinking wine, but EDGE says you should drink what you like. We're here to tell you that it's totally acceptable and encouraged to drink red wine all year round.

Science keeps reminding us about red wine attributes that are good for your health like resveratrol and antioxidants including helping with Type-2 diabetes (when imbibed in moderation). Red wine is also often the perfect compliment and pairing with warm weather foods such as picnic charcuterie and summer barbecues.

From the Land Down Under

From South Eastern Australia you can drink some of the deepest, darkest, and most extracted wines. Treasury Wine Estates is at the forefront for affordable options and delivers some of the cleverest wines in taste and packaging that you'll see on the market.

Treasury's 19 Crimes series has become a brand with great story packaging along with gulpable approachability. Did we say gulp? Two of their selections -- The Banished Dark Red 2016 and 19 Crimes: The Warden 2015 -- are going to be spectacularly popular with your grill master. Both of these wines are deep and big reds with a Shiraz base for the wine blends.

The Banished utilizes American oak and gives much black fruit and plum on the nose and palate. It's also very easy on the pocketbook at under $15 retail. The Warden has many of the same black fruit qualities and a touch of more chocolate notes on the nose. It is matured in stainless steel instead of oak, which brings out a clean-fruited palate. Also a great bargain at under $25 a bottle.

Saluti!

While Italy is often known for Super Tuscans and other high-powered reds, it also produces terrific wines for warmer weather. Tommasi's Rafael Valpolicella Classico Superiore is bright and refreshing when slightly chilled.

The fourth generation winemakers source grapes from their family vineyard on Monte Masua in Valpolicella. This three-grape blend is aged for 15 months in Slavonian oak barrels, which delivers light tannins and a touch of cinnamon on the nose.

At $15/bottle, it's a reasonable purchase for a casual summer gathering and (gasp) could even be used to elevate your sangria to a whole other level or other wine-inspired cocktails.

Drink Like a Pro

Sure, you could blindly follow EDGE's wine recommendations (hey, we've drunk them) but you might also want to consider a new resource to keep close at hand before, during, or after your next wine purchase.

"Essential Winetasting: The Complete Practical Winetasting Course" by Michael Schuster (May 2017, Mitchell Beasley, $24.99) delivers almost everything you need to know about tasting wine, from what equipment to use (hint: a glass comes in handy) to how to taste and recognize the major grape varieties.

For more advanced wine drinkers, there are additional sections on blind tasting, organic and biodynamic wines, as well as insights about gadgets and accessories.