Five Reasons to Enjoy Wine this Summer

It is no surprise that the summer is synonymous with beer, booze and cocktails. We young professionals (YPs) tend to consume more alcohol in the summer – whether poolside, at weddings, at the cottage or during a backyard BBQ. We say, there’s nothing wrong with that (in moderation, of course), but wine sometimes gets pushed to the back burner in the warmer months when it should instead be embraced and celebrated. 
 
Since everyone has their own preference when it comes to wine, we recommend blends as the go-to crowd pleaser this summer. Blends are a combination of different varietals. This makes them very versatile when it comes to picking a wine that works for everyone. For red lovers, Apothic Red is a sure win as it captures the bold dark fruit flavors and spicy notes of Zinfandel. These characteristics are complemented nicely by the soft mouthfeel of Merlot and layered with the smooth blueberry notes of Syrah. All flavor components are supported by the firm structure of Cabernet Sauvignon and complemented by hints of oak and vanilla.  
 
Wine can make a refreshing and rewarding addition to the warmer months, and here are five reasons why you should enjoy and discover wines this summer. 
 
Wine is social
Wine has the ability to make for memorable summer days and evenings spent outside of the city exploring vineyards, hitting your city’s food and drink festivals or even hosting your own backyard wine tasting party. Wine tasting makes for a fun, interactive, and even educational way to spend a breezy summer afternoon or evening and to bond with friends, coworkers and family at then same time. Word of advice: keep notes on the wines you try, because you are likely to forget – especially as more wine is consumed. 

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Wine is a welcomed addition to any backyard BBQ
Wine pairs well with things commonly thrown on the BBQ, like steak, burgers or chicken. Just like the BBQ, wine pairings may take a little experimentation, but the basic theory of wine pairing is to match the intensity of flavour of the food with the flavour of the wine. A white wine that is rich in aromatics would pair well with grilled fish or vegetables, whereas a red wine such as Apothic Red with fruit-forward aromas and flavours complements a thick grilled steak or a juicy burger. In general, reds pair better with a BBQ than whites, but don’t be confined to this. For a BBQ where you don’t know what will be served, grabbing a blend is a safe way to show up prepared- as they work best for most backyard cookouts and pair well with a wide array of foods, from appetizers to grilled or smoked meats. 
 
Wine allows for a sense of discovery
Summer has always been associated with adventure and trying new things, whether cliff jumping, paddling through rapids or travelling to new cities and countries. Wines allow for a sense of discovery as well – either with different brands, wineries or types of wine. Not to mention, the warmer weather makes it easier to try new wines with no shortage of festivals and breezy days that are perfect for hitting the patio!

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Wine makes cottage and BBQ host gift giving easy
Summer means invites to pool parties, BBQs and cottage weekends outside of the city. Wine makes a well-received and relatively effortless host or hostess gift. It even makes the perfect addition to a wedding gift of a beautiful picnic basket or blanket. Another trend among engaged YPs in recent years is wine showers, especially for that couple that has everything. The idea here is, of course, that each guest brings his or her favourite wine (note favourite, not most expensive) as to create a couple’s first wine collection.
 
Wine has health benefits
When consumed in moderation, there are health benefits to drinking wine. This of course applies year-round, but in the summer especially when we tend to over-indulge in other areas. For the health nuts, wine may be a better choice than the typical beer or sugary cocktail. The health benefits of wine are numerous. Red wine is good for your heart; the antioxidants in red wine can slow the signs of aging and help prevent degenerative diseases like type 2 diabetes; wine lowers the risk of a stroke, is credited for memory preservation among the elderly, and has been associated with improved bone density. 

Of course, just because the warmer weather is here and the social invitations grace your inbox and Facebook page each day, doesn’t mean it’s an open invitation to overly indulge. After all, we are not on summer vacation from university anymore. That’s the beauty of wine – it is meant to be sipped, savoured and enjoyed in a more refined experience than the typical cooler full of beer.