When people hear the word “wine” they automatically associate it with fermented grape juice and a great time. Although they are not completely mistaken, wine can be made from other fruits as well. As a matter of fact, if a fruit has enough sugar, its juice can be compressed and fermented into wine. While grape-based is still the most common type of wine, some fruit wines are starting to match their level of complexity and enjoyment.
For hot summer evenings, nothing strikes a Floridian’s fancy like delicious, rich-colored wines produced from tropical fruits. For example, pineapple wines are usually dry with a sweet flavor. Most varieties of pineapple wine are meant to be served chilled and to be enjoyed by the glass, just like white wine. This easy-to-sip wine can be perfectly paired with both meat and fish courses.
With a unique color and a strong fruit flavor, banana wines can be made as a standalone drink or can be mixed with other wines to create a more complex flavor profile. Depending on the method used, bananas can be fermented into sweet or dry wines, both working well with pork and seafood.
Did you know that you may have been drinking fruit wine for years without knowing it? Cider, the widely popular beverage, is nothing but apple wine. Apples’ versatility allows them to be used for sparkling wine, dry wine, or cider. This palate-pleasing drink is enjoyed all over the globe, from Florida and Latin-America, to Europe and Australia.
Particularly popular in the universe of fruit wines are berries. In fact, almost any berry variety can be fermented to make wine. Ranging from the dry variety of blueberries to the rich fruit flavor profile of blackberries, there are options for every wine lover:
*Strawberry wines are usually sweet and meant to be served chilled or at room temperature. Their fruity profile makes this summer favorite a tasty dessert wine; not only because it pairs exceptionally well with chocolate, but because it can substitute for dessert itself. As a bonus, it can also be used when cooking to add a fruity flavor.
*With great antioxidant properties, blueberry wines’ high acidity and low sugar level makes it a nice dry table wine. When served at room temperature, most people will confuse it with a regular grape-based wine.
*Another summer favorite is cranberry wine. This alternative has a beautiful rose gold color and a distinctive semi-sweet taste. As many of its relatives, cranberry wines are not just delicious, but are also packed with multiple health benefits.
The best way to sample these summery wines is to channel your favorite bartender and embrace blends for more complex flavors. Don’t want to open a bottle just to try a glass? The Coravin Wine Preservation Opener (coravin.com) allows wine lovers to pour any amount of wine from a bottle without pulling the cork, which means they can pour just a sip or a glass without feeling the need to commit to the whole bottle.
Created by Greg Lambrecht, a medical device inventor and executive with a passion for wine and innovative technology, the Coravin Wine Preservation Opener is easier to use than a standard corkscrew – simply insert, tilt, and pour. Push a thin, hollow needle through the cork and with the aid of an inert gas called argon (the same gas wineries use during the bottling process) press the trigger to pour a perfect glass. When the needle is removed, the cork reseals naturally and continues to protect your wine.
“A glass of wine is a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day. But often people find themselves rushing to finish a bottle before it goes bad or drinking something they aren’t in the mood for because it is already open,” said Lambrecht. “Coravin gives people the freedom to drink what they want, even if that’s a few different types of wine in one night, because the wine remaining in the bottle is preserved for weeks, months, or even years.”
Of course, nothing says wine savvy like hosting a summer sampling soiree. For summer ’18, a fruit wine-themed tasting is a perfect way to entertain guests.
Here are some simple tips for a fabulous event:
Choose the Food
If your guests are serious sippers, they won’t want to eat during the tasting, except for bread or crackers to cleanse the palate. But for everyone else, try to pair light appetizers with each of the wines you’ll be tasting and encourage people to taste the wine by itself and with the food to notice how food enhances the wine.
Gather Your Supplies
In addition to your Coravin Wine Preservation Opener, you’ll need to find glasses. Many companies make great universal glasses that are well suited for both red and whites – this will save you money and cleaning time at the end of the night. Keep in mind the glasses should have stems so your guests don’t warm their drinks with their hands. And don’t forget an ice bucket for chilling the white wine to avoid running to the fridge.
Invite your friends and Enjoy!
Send out creative fruit-themed invites and gather all the wine lovers! You can impress your guests by reviewing some wine tasting techniques like swirling the wine around in the glass to let it “breathe” and encouraging your guests to smell the wine to get a better sense of the flavor. A good approach is to try the lightest bodied wines first and work your way to the fullest bodied ones.
…. And as the mercury rises this summer, follow the best advice from oenophiles and wine tech innovators like Greg Lambrecht: Keep Calm and Drink Wine!