June 2026
Taking It Easy
This month, school is out. We’re remembering what warm days feel like, ripping off sweaters and storing scarves in the oven we won’t use for the next four months. I couldn’t resist choosing two bright summery wines, easy to pair with summer snacks like cheese plates and fresh veggies. Both from southern France, the wines this month have pride of place, grown in alluring regions, with fruit notes to pair with any summer day.
Domaine Giachino Monfarina
Although this name sounds pretty Italian, this is a wine from the Savoie region in France, right next to Switzerland. (Prior to being controlled by France, Savoie was part of the kingdom of Italy. It was annexed to France following the Treaty of Turin on March 24, 1860.) Vineyards sit on the lower slopes of the French Alps, often planted on steep hillsides and at high elevation, and Savoie is known for crisp zingy whites. This wine is 90% Jacquère, with 10% Verdesse & Mondeuse Blanche. It is a serious expression of Jacquére, which is often used as a blending grape in other regions. Prior to being controlled by France, Savoie was part of the kingdom of Italy. Domaine Giachino was founded in 1988 and is certified organic, creating wines with minimal intervention and native yeasts.
This wine has an intense, concentrated fruit center with apricot and peach flavors, herbal notes, and a bright green highlight with hints of zest, salinity, and white pepper. Pair with all seafood, especially mussels in wine, and late spring veggies from the farmer’s market, grilled to perfection.
Domaine de la Biscarelle Bal Musette
Domaine de la Biscarelle is a renowned estate in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, one of the most famous wine regions in France. The distinctive soils here, with millions of years of age, include sand, gravel, and galets, rolled pebbles that make up a lot of the vineyard. These stones soak up sunlight during the day and radiate heat on the vines at night, ripening Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre. Domaine de la Biscarelle produces deep, traditional GSM blends, and they’ve started to experiment with lighter wines. “Bal Musette” is a music/dance party, and this wine is a fun, lightweight, chillable red meant to match that ideal.
A gorgeous Syrah with dark cherry notes, rosemary and thyme, and bright juicy cranberry, this chillable red is screaming to be enjoyed on a porch, or in your yard, or maybe on a boat this summer. The bright acidity and juicy fruit notes will pair well with strawberries, cherries, or baked brie. Also, any tomato-based dish as those start to come to the market—I’m thinking gazpacho or a caprese sandwich. This wine is also brilliant on its own, with a friend on your porch swing.
