For those of you out there who are fans of Kermit Lynch’s imports, I thought I would put a list together of what we currently offer (subject to availability at the time you come in, as they come and go fast.)  Please forgive any accents missing on the words….

Vin de Bugey-Cerdon “La Cuielle”-  Savoie sparkling wine.  80% Gamay and 20% Poulsard.  For fun, read Anthony Lynch’s “one likely scenario” that could happen when you open a bottle of this seductive, pink sparkler. http://shop.kermitlynch.com/product/detail/14FPX01.html  $22.79

Champagne– Paul Bara Grand Rose’ Grand Cru (Bouzy)  The Paul Bara estate is one of the rare “recoltant-manipulants” in Champagne, meaning the estate grows and makes its own wine (whereas a lot of Champagne is mass-produced by large corporate champagne houses.)   Paul’s daughter, Chantale, now runs the estate.  This wine primarily Pinot Noir, with Chardonnay and red Bouzy wine, vines 35 years old on average, clay and limestone soils.  Aged 3 years before release, it is an elegant wine with mineral-tinged aromas of cherry, rose, and orange zest.  The palate is dry, with mineral and spice notes adding to its complex finish.   $38.99 for a 375ml bottle.

Muscadet– Le Clos de la Butte Muscadet Cotes de Grand Lieu sur lie 2014.   This is a white from the Loire (Eric Chevalier.)  50 year old vines,  Melon de Bourgogne grapes, nine months on the lees with regular stirring, producing hints of citrus, stone fruit, and a nice minerality in a slightly off-dry wine.   $15.49

Beaujolais- Domaine Dupeuble Pere et Fils 2015.   Gamay from 50-100 year old vines.  The grapes a7re grown in a biodiverse vineyard, using organic methods. From KL: “The wines are not chaptalized, filtered, or degassed and only natural yeasts are used for the fermentation. The wines of Dupeuble represent some of the best values in the Beaujolais today and are widely regarded for their very high quality and eminently reasonable price.”  $17.99

Ventoux Rouge- “Megaphone” 2014 Ventoux by Frederic & Daniel Brunier. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah, from vines 25 years old on average, aged in foudres 10 months. Fresh, bright and rich in fruit, this is a beautiful wine you can enjoy although it’s “young.”  $19.99

Vin de Pays de Vacluse en Provence, “Le Pigeoulet” 2013.    (Also Frederic and Daniel Brunier.)  Hand-harvested, aged 18 months (50% in foudres) 80% Grenache, sourced from Châteauneuf-du-Pape, along with Syrah, Cinsault and Carignan.  Cherry, rasberry and licorice in the aroma.  This is a straightforward, fresh and fruity wine for any occasion. $19.99

Cotes du Rhone– Domaine Clape 2012.  All vineyard work is done by hand.  Northern Rhone from 30-50 year old vines growing in granite subsoils, aged in 6 months in foudres.  Old-style Rhone comprised of 100% Syrah, medium to full bodied, notes of blackberry, cassis, tobacco, with a mineral and peppery finish. Kermit Lynch believes Clape wines are capable of great longevity, but encourages trying them while young to be able to appreciate the evolution to come.  $41.99

Saint-Peray-Domaine Clape 2014.  All vineyard work is done by hand.  From vines 40 years old on average, and only .2 hectares (about a half acres) of granite and clay soils.  This Marsanne/Rousanne is fermented in cuve, completes its malolactic fermentation and is aged in stainless steel 8 months.  Jeb Dunnuck of Wine Advocate writes, “it offers lots of salty minerality (which is the hallmark of St. Peray) spiced apples, and honeysuckle in a medium-bodied, supple, sexy, and mouthfilling style on the palate.  Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years.”  (written Dec. 2015.)  $41.99

Cahors-  Clos La Coutale 2013.  From the Southwest of France, this 80% Malbec, 20% Merlot is typical of the appelation– inky and earthy, rustic with a everyday drinkability– a great complement for rich food, especially duck, cassoulet, or steak.  This wine also has the potential to age well.  $17.50

Arneis-Tintero Elivio Langhe Arneis 2014.  This is a white from the Piedmont region of Italy.  From Kermit Lynch’s web site: “This delightful Arneis features a heady perfume of apricot and flowers, with a luscious texture balanced by crisp acidity and mineral notes. Like all Tintero bottlings, it is easy on the palate and the wallet—a Piemontese classic at bargain cost.”   $11.79

Barolo-  “Vigna Lazzairaso” Guido Porro 2010.  Nebbiolo sustainably farmed, from 30-35 year old vines.  Barrels are at least 5th passage, aged 3 years in Slavonian oak botti.   Great aging potential with firm tannins, this wine exhibits bright aromas of cherry, rose, white pepper, clove, and on the palate black cherry, raspberry, sage, black pepper, and a lovely acidity.  $44.99

Valtenesi– La Basia Valtenesi La Botte Piena 2013.  80% Grapello (native to Lombardy) blended with Barbera, Sangiovese, and Marzemino.  Produced using sustainable methods on the western shore of Lake Garda.  From vineyards 15-50 years old, unoaked (aged in stainless tanks, then in the bottle.) “Notes of wild herbs and shrubbery mingle with fresh, ripe, dark fruits over soft and cozy tannins, lifted by a bright acidity. A bargain everyday quaffer from an unheralded region, this wine is also exceptionally versatile at table. Our advice: keep a bottle on hand at all times, and don’t be afraid to slightly chill it before indulging.” –Anthony Lynch  $16.99

Garda –La Basia Garda Marzemino Lorene 2012.  This is 100% Marzemino, native to Lombardy, grown on the western shore of Lake Garda, using sustainable methods. This is a fuller-bodied but easy-drinking wine with spice and berry notes.  Marzemino was mentioned in Mozart’s Don Giovanni– “Versa il vino, Eccellente Marizimino!” $17.49

Like many households in Door County, we still live without air conditioning.  Most summer nights have a breeze and the temp drops quite a bit after sundown.  We almost always have good “sleeping weather” but occasionally we’ll have a multi-day stretch of around-the-clock hot, sticky weather and we can do nothing but sit outside in the shade, nearly motionless, drinking something cold, hoping for a breeze.

Here are my top summer relief adult beverages:

#7           Cold beer.  In the summer I lean toward lighter styles—summer ales, weiss beers (always nice with a slice of lemon).  Belgian Farmhouse ales, like the Saison Dupont we carry in a “bomber” bottle, are great for sharing.   I get kind of full near the end of a second beer, and in the heat, that is especially uncomfortable.  So then I have some water, and switch to something else later on.

#6           Moscow Mule.  There’s something purely thirst-quenching about ginger beer and lime juice.  The copper mug is optional, in my opinion, as a tall tumbler is just fine.  4 oz Ginger beer, 1 1/2 oz Vodka, 1/6 oz Lime juice, serve on the rocks.

#5           Boozy lemonade.   Pretty much anything goes.  Try rum, vodka, gin, mezcal, whisky, sparkling wine, beer (for a shandy), or liqueurs like St. Germain or fruit flavored schnapps.  Garnishes such as lavender, sliced cucumbers, tarragon, rosemary can add complexity without a lot of effort.  Firefly carries Tru organic vodka which is infused with various botanicals– save a step! Try boozy lemonade as a frozen blender drink, and the brain freeze will take your mind off of the heat.

#4           Mojito.  Mint has a cooling effect on the body, and you’re basically making limeade when you mix one up.   1 1/2 oz white rum, 6 leaves of mint (muddle with the sugar and lime juice), soda water, 1 oz fresh lime juice, 2 teaspoons sugar.   Tip: Instead of using granulated sugar, make a batch of simple syrup by bringing one part sugar to one part water to a boil and simmering for 3 minutes.  Store in a mason jar in the fridge, and sweeten your mojito to taste with the syrup.

#3           Ice cold rosé or white wine.   Sometimes it’s too hot for liquor-based drinks, they make me sleepy, and they require more effort than opening a bottle of wine.  Keep the bottle on ice and in reach of where you’re sitting.  Firefly has a very nice selection of summer wines right now, but keep in mind that many rosé wines are seasonal and will be in shorter supply as the summer progresses.   Pinot Grigio, Bordeaux Blanc, and Albarino are some favorite whites.

#2           Sparkling wines.  When the weather is just oppressive, I go for the fruity, lighter options instead of true champagnes which can be toasty, yeasty, musky and are not as thirst-quenching.  Cava from Spain is an inexpensive option, as is Lambrusco from Italy, along with our go-to, everyday sparkler, Veuve du Vernay, from the Loire Valley of France.

#1           Gin and Tonic, lots of ice, with a squeeze of fresh lime, in a tall tumbler so you don’t need a refill right away.  Fast and easy to make.  Put-it-on-your-forehead-cold.  Although we like to enjoy different gins, our go-to is Beefeater.  It’s just an all-around great gin for mixing or martinis.

Imbibe responsibly and keep cool, and let us know your favorite way to beat the heat!