HOT DOG! : OUR BBQ PICKS

Summer parties call for drinks that are chilled out and refreshing - beat the heat! - and that can be enjoyed on their own while still pairing perfectly with food fresh off the grill. Here are a few of our faves for the these occasions - something for everybody, and even more in the shop!

Bluebird Hardwater Whiskey + Water : Whiskey is a classic BBQ and grilled meat pairing. Combined here with extra-hydrating water, in an ice cold and sessionable fun-sized format? A slam dunk with hot dogs and hotter days!

Bechtold, Cremant d'Alsace : From the northern reaches of France's Alsace region, Bechtold's bubbles are made in the Champagne method from biodynamically grown Chardonnay and Pinot Auxerrois (with a small touch of Pinot Noir.) Dry and minerally with balanced fruit and excellent structure, these bubbles are giving everyday elegance and are guaranteed to be the perfect pop for the party.

Medici Ermete "Phermento" Lambrusco di Sorbara: This pink pét-nat makes an excellent complement to all kinds of charcuterie - and hot dogs! - while being simply wonderful on it’s own or as an apéritif. Alessandro Medici takes a fresh look at Lambrusco with his brainchild “Phermento,” a wine produced using exclusively Lambrusco di Sorbara grapes fermented using the Ancestral Method of sparkling wine production. This grape variety's high level of acidity and lack of tannin make it well-suited to the pét-nat style, resulting in a bottle that is dry while still being fruit-forward and vibrant. Summer berries for days!

Clos d'Audhuy "Pre en Bulles":   From a third-generation organic family estate in France's Cahors region, this is a delightfully fizzy pink bubbly blend of Sauvignon Blanc and a touch of Malbec, with lively citrus notes and lots of peach-y summer stone fruit. 

Lady of the Sunshine, 'Stolpman Vineyard' Sauvignon Blanc : Gina Giugni is a second generation biodynamic farmer and winemaker. Gina started Lady of the Sunshine in 2017, with a focus on regenerative, organic, and biodynamic farming in pursuit of making natural wines that reflect the purity of the place they come from. Made with all organic and biodynamic Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard just miles off the Pacific coast in Santa Barbara, the grapes were foot tread and soaked on skins overnight before being whole bunch pressed and fermented in neutral french oak barrels, aging on lees for 7 months before being bottled without filtration or fining - resulting in a Cali Sauvignon Blanc that delivers a wildly balanced expression of fruit, acidity, body and texture. Think margarita salt, lime zest & honeydew melon.

Day Wines Vin de Days L'Orange: Exceptionally versatile at the table, but especially with a grill and good times. Founded by winemaker and owner Brianne Day in the 2012 vintage, Day Wines is a producer of boutique, artisanal bottlings made from fruit sourced exclusively from a small group of Oregon growers who utilize biodynamic, organic and/or sustainable vineyard practices. This blend of Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris is a super fun expression of these aromatic varieties and their personalities when made with generous skin contact. So much orange - tangerine, naval, kumquat, pomelo - as well as expressive tropical notes of starfruit, guava, and mango. Dry, bright and fresh with playful tannins on the palate, the fruit profile evolves in the glass, becoming even more lush and juicy in expression as the wine opens, while the finish remains vibrant, crisp, and persistent.

De Fermo Vino Rosato "Concrete" :   100% Montepulciano from certified biodynamic estate vines. It is classified as Vino Rosato, so the only geographical indicator on the bottle is "L.A.", in reference to the winery's home community of Loreto Apruntino (which happens to be the oldest viticultural area of the Abruzzo).  The wine is aged in 20-hectoliter concrete tanks--hence the very literal name--for 6 months and bottled without fining or filtration. The result is a gorgeously round but dry and mineral-driven rosé bursting with tart, juicy greenmarket cherry notes and balancing hints of cinnamon spice, red flowers and breezy salinity; a pink wine that has endless food pairing potential but absolutely sings with some charcuterie and cheese.

Clément Baraut "L'Herbier du Vin" Herbes Rouge : Fun, ripe, earthy and juicy. Perfect with a chill, this is 100% biodynamically-farmed old vine Loire Valley Grolleau - crushable yet structured, the balance of tart cranberry, Haribo Cherry, brilliant acidity and the silkiest of tannin make this a bottle that should remain in your rotation all summer long.

Clos d'Audhuy "Toujours Plus": a super bright and juicy expression of Malbec. Balanced, fresh and lovely with a chill, bring one or three of these to the next cookout - this is lovely on its own, but absolutely shines next to some meat or mushrooms fresh off the grill.