With summer winding down, guests are looking to embrace the flavors of the season and celebrate what’s left of the warmer weather. Tyler Smith, wine director and sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe, suggests a few distinct wines to enjoy during the late-summer season.
Smith also shares the best culinary pairings that bring out the flavor profiles of each bottle. All of the wines are on the list at Manzanita, the luxury mountain resort’s signature restaurant.
Tyler Smith, wine director and sommelier at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe.
Paco y Lola, Albariño, Rias Biaxas (Spain), 2020 and 2019
This albariño from Rias Biaxas, in the Northwest of Spain, has an incredibly fresh citrus driven aroma and is light on the palate. Perfect to enjoy with lunch on a warm summer afternoon, or lighter fare in the evening.
Lingua Franca, Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills (Oregon), 2017
An Oregon pinot noir made in conjunction with two incredible wine visionaries, Larry Stone and Dominque Lafon. The estate pinot noir shows the outstanding bright fruit expected of Oregon, balanced with Lafon’s touch of the signature earthy finish of a Burgundy. With its mouthwatering finish, this wine is delightful with light fare, but can certainly stand up to a dish off of the butcher’s block.
Moreau-Naudet, Forets, Chablis Premier Cru (France), 2018
A beautiful chardonnay from northern Burgundy. This wine offers flavors of fresh Meyer lemon followed by a touch of oak and richness on the finish. A fantastic option to enjoy with fresh seafood or cheese and charcuterie.
M. Chapoutier, Petite Ruche, Crozes-Hermitage (France), 2017 With the bright fruit of this wine and a backbone of earth, it pairs beautifully with game meats. Full-flavored cuts are beautiful with a wine that is both bright and earth-driven. Chapoutier is a quintessential producer of the area in the northern Rhône wine region of France, and makes a classically drinking wine that pairs fantastically with any game.
