Top 5 Recommended Wines for Teachers This Summer

Editor’s Note:

For 34 years, Peter Gianotti reviewed wines, spirits, restaurants, and books at Newsday (New York). He twice won Press Club of New York awards for food writing. Before he became a food critic, Peter was a Washington correspondent, a financial writer, and New York City reporter for the newspaper. His books include “Food Lovers’ Guide to Long Island” and “A Guide to Long Island Wine Country.” You can follow Peter at his blog, PG RATED, (petermgianotti.com). 

ThinkFives asked Peter for a few great wine choices to help teachers escape the vicissitudes of this past school and launch their celebrations of summer. He compiled this exclusive Top 5 list for ThinkFives, and even included a bonus case. 

Peter Gianotti’s Recommendations

When Noah reached Mount Ararat, he planted a grapevine. In the beginning, there was wine. Millennia later, came “Two Buck Chuck,”

Remember Charles Shaw wines? Well, forget about them. The Shaw wines, priced at dregs-level with quality slightly above, led to many popped corks, notably via a surge at Trader Joe’s.

Their successors, bulk wines now in boxes as well as bottles, continue to be popular, low-cost choices. Jug wines for the quantity-conscious also keep an out-size place on the shelf. But persistent bargain hunters can find plenty of dependably excellent wines in the $10 to $20 range that compete with those three or four times as expensive.

On the cusp of summer, here are five refreshing American wines. And, just in case, a second quintet of first-class Italian choices. They’ll be drinking well into fall, too.

Bonus List:  A Taste of Italy

In addition to Chile, Argentina, Portugal, Australia, and South Africa, Italy produces an array of fairly priced wines to balance the pricey classics such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Brunello di Montalcino. These five are proof, A-to-Z.

• 2019 Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti delle Dolomiti Terra Alpina is about $16. The dry white goes with dishes as varied as chicken piccata, spaghetti alla carbonara, prosciutto and figs or melon, and sushi.
• 2019 Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso is a medium-bodied Tuscan red blend from a top producer, heady with cherry, raspberry, and plum, balanced and smooth. Have it with antipasti, lasagna, red meat, for about $13.
• 2019 Castello Banfi Chianti Classico, from a master of Brunello is about $17. Red-sauce pastas, pasta e fagioli, cured meats, pecorino cheese, and pizza with all the toppings, or only a couple, find their partner.
• 2019 Tiefenbrunner Merus Chardonnay Sudtirol-Alto Adige is a mouthful in every way. Pale yellow, floral, a little tangy with green apple. Pour it alongside white fish, light pork dishes, seafood   risotto. About $20.
•  Zardetto DOC Brut Prosecco is a celebratory, lemon-hued sparkler, and very bubbly. You’ll detect citrus and herbs. A delight, unadorned or in a cocktail. About $15. Noah would have approved.

You can follow Peter at his blog, PG RATED.

What is your favorite summer wine?