A Month of Transition
September is a month of transition. You can see the leaves have started to change, there's a slight chill in the morning air, but you haven't taken the patio furniture in quite yet. It can be a confusing time of year with the seasonal changes. Fall is around the corner but you know there are still warm days ahead of us. You put on a sweater in the morning but find you’re overheating by noon, and then chilly again as the sun is setting. How do you dress correctly? Is it too soon to get the winter tires out of storage? And most importantly, what kind of wine is appropriate for September?
When it comes to your outfit and tires changes it's hard to know, but when it comes to wine, we have you covered. The September Case of the Month has been carefully curated with a selection of wines that will carry you through the seasonal shift. Whites, Roses, Reds and of course a bubble.
The Sparkling Pick: Clearly Organic Frizzante
The Clearly Organic Frizzante is this month's bubbly. A ‘Frizzante’ is a type of sparkling wine that has milder effervescence than a typical ‘Spumante.’ Think mineral water vs. soda water. This one comes from the Castilla La Mancha region in Spain and is made with Airén, which is a popular Spanish white grape. As the name suggests, this wine is 100% organic. It's crisp and fresh with a whisper of sweetness. Fun floral aromas and flavours of tree fruits like golden apple and citrus. You could use this wine to make a light spritz or mimosa or just enjoy it on the deck while you soak up the remaining precious warm days.
Whites and a Rosé for Lingering Summer Days
To ensure there's something to sip on while summer is still here, we have some delicious whites and of course a rosé. If you're in the mood for something light and crushable, try the Meiser Weisser Burgunder or the Domaines de Lauriers Picpoul de Pinet.
Weisser Burgunder (Pinot Blanc)
Never heard of those? Let us enlighten you. Weisser Burgunder is the German name for Pinot Blanc which may be more familiar. Pinot Blanc is an aromatic grape most commonly found in Germany and Northern Italy that makes refreshing, dry wine with flavours of peach, almonds and lemon zest.
Picpoul de Pinet
Picpoul is actually quite an ancient French grape that is having a bit of a renaissance in popularity. Light bodied with lively acidity, it’s a perfect patio wine or a pairing for a cheese board. Citrusy, green apple and a signature salinity that makes it particularly quenching.
Richer Whites: Godello & Vouvray
If you're craving something with a little bit more richness, you can give the Adria Godello or the Le Lys Vouvray a try.
Godello is quite a rare Spanish grape found mainly in the Iberian Peninsula. While crisp and fresh, godello offers a little extra texture and body. Fresh herbs, a little citrus and pear with gorgeous minerality. What more could you want?
The Le Lys Vouvray is from the Loire Valley and made with Chenin Blanc. Chenin is a versatile grape that is used for many different styles of wine. This one is delicious and dry with flavours of ripe apricot, nectarine and honey. Both of these whites have a little extra body that make them great food pairing options, but can definitely be enjoyed on their own.
Rosé from Provence
For rosé we have the Le Petit Rouviere from Provence. Provence is France’s oldest wine region, and is world famous for its rose. If you were wondering, yes, this rose is dry. It's also fruity and very refreshing with aromas of peaches and raspberries.
Reds for Every September Occasion
Now, let's talk about reds. A lot of us are drinking reds all summer long. Lighter styles that can be chilled and bigger styles that are perfect for pairing with barbeque. There's all of the above in this case of the month.
Light and Chillable Reds
The Viet Latigne Beaujolais is a perfect warm weather red. Reds from Beaujolais are always made with Gamay Noir. Loved for its intense fruitiness and floral qualities, Gamay is a red that can be enjoyed by itself or is a great flexible food pairing wine. This beaujolais has red berry flavours, a little smokey minerality and a hint of baking spices. Pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes and enjoy every last drop.
Sticking to light and easy, the Alliance Loire Saumur Rouge is a crowd pleaser. It’s made with 100% Cabernet Franc which may lead you to think this wine is going to be bigger than it is, but don't be fooled! You'll find classic Cabernet Franc flavours like blackberries and raspberries, some green herbal notes but with bright acidity and very mild tannins.
Playful Red Blend
The Bistrologie from Jeff Carrel is another favourite in the lineup. Coming from the sunny Languedoc region in Southern France, it's a playful blend of grapes like Pinot Noir, Grenache, Carignan and Syrah. The warm climate evokes more jammy fruit flavours like stewed strawberries and plums with a little spice and leather. Order in a pizza and grab this bottle. You won't be disappointed.
Bigger, Bolder Reds
To round out the case we have two reds that pack a little more punch. When you need something with some intensity, we have a Priorat and a Tuscana.
Priorat is a prestigious region in Catalonia, Spain known for powerful, dramatic reds centered around Garnacha. The Laurentia is made with Garnacha and Mazuela and spends 6 months maturing in oak before bottling. The result is a potent wine with dark, plush fruit like black current, warm coffee notes and hearty, structural tannins.
The Toscana from La Lecciaia is made with Sangiovese grapes coming from some very old and prestigious vineyards in Montalcino, Tuscany. La Lecciaia sticks to the traditional practices used in the region, aging the wine in Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months. Black cherry and plum, with some savoury notes like cocoa and smoke. Perfect for cooler nights or pairing with whatever you've currently got on the grill.
A Case for Every September Mood
This month may have some variable weather in store, but with this case you can be sure to have a wine suitable for whatever September brings.