By: Kristyn Simpson, WineStyles Norwood Park

While a bold, intense Cabernet is great with a steak dinner, and a buttery Chardonnay pairs perfectly with steamed fish, the hot Summer days invite cravings of a lighter variety. Insert: Porch Pounders! A “Porch Pounder” is a wine that you can sip all day long on the porch (or poolside, at a backyard barbeque, sitting on a rooftop patio with stunning views, etc.) without surrendering your Sunday Funday to feeling full, heavy, or sluggish.

The Perfect Porch Pounder (gosh, I love alliteration)

The main attributes to look for in a Porch Pounder are cold and refreshing. A good Porch Pounder stays ice cold and refreshing and quenches your thirst better than a lemon shake-up at the county fair!

Whether you prefer keeping your wine in the fridge between glasses, in a chilled ice bucket, or even adding ice cubes (no judgment), the wine’s icy cold temperature is fundamental to a perfect Porch Pounder.

“Crisp” as a wine style is in the eyes (or tastebuds, I suppose) of the beholder, but many successful Porch Pounders (aka future empty bottles) embrace notes of citrus or other fruit and have more assertive acidity levels. The tannins, creaminess, and earthiness of some very delicious wines are better suited for dinners and indoor events (read: air-conditioned activities).

Another notable feature of a Porch Pounder is that they are generally lighter-bodied wines with a lower alcohol content (ABV). I mean…when you plan to drink them throughout the day, a lower ABV is a pretty big one. (PSA: also drink water/stay hydrated.)

The Best Porch Pounding Wines

So, we’ve got the attributes. Which wines are the crispest, refreshing, low ABV, highly acidic, and fruitiest ones? You probably guessed it, but Rosés are the most common Porch Pounders! Perfect for the Summer, they’re often fruit-forward, lower in alcohol, and best served ice cold.

White wines are usually served cold, but not every white wine is a contender for a Porch Pounder. Pinot Grigios, with their Crisp wine style and often fruity (green apple/pear) flavors, and New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs, with their grapefruit flavors, are great Porch Pounders. Other refreshing options include Albariños (Crisp wine style with fruity flavors) and Vinho Verdes (traditionally very low ABV).

What if I prefer drinking Red?! You may have less options here, but a chilled Red can be a great Porch Pounder if you find the right one! Choose a Mellow wine style with a low ABV, and remember to focus on fruit-forward flavors and low tannins. Something like a chilled Gamay, Sangiovese, Blaufränkisch, or even a light-bodied Pinot Noir could be a Porch Pounder.

Get To The Porch and Start Pounding (that sounds aggressive…just enjoy)

Beat the sweltering heat of Summer with these refreshing options (conveniently all available at WineStyles Norwood Park)!

Pullus is a Slovenian Pinot Grigio that is actually light pink in color due to longer skin contact. You’re greeted with aromas of pear, nectarine, and green melon. The palate is perfectly balanced with bright acidity and minerality. This porch pounder pairs amazingly with a luxurious charcuterie board.

 

Pavao Vinho Verde has a greenish hue (Vinho Verde means “green wine”) and aromas of green apples and citrus fruits. It is fresh and snappy on the palate with expert acidity and flavors of green apples, pineapple, and citric fruits. This porch pounder pairs well with light summer salads!

 

Calibri is dry Rosé from California but made in the Provençal style. Notes of honeydew melon and strawberry on the nose are met with flavors of watermelon and strawberry on the palate. Could it get more Summer-sounding than strawberry and watermelon?!? Pair this porch pounder with a backyard barbecue!

 

Roseblood Rosé reveals notes of raspberry and sharp wild berries on the nose. The palate offers a blend of grape varieties with citrus notes. This porch pounder is ideal as an aperitif or could be paired with crudité!

 

Blaufränkisch is a lighter-bodied red wine with bold and bright acidity. On the nose, you’ll get red currant, black cherry, and blackberry notes. On the palate, the acidity wakes up the fruit flavors. While it’s delicious on its own, this porch pounder really shines with game day foods like bratwurst or a soft pretzel with mustard.

Love You Bunches is a Sangiovese with a 12.5% ABV (uncharacteristically low for red wine) that has notes of fresh red berry fruit, cherries, lychee, and plum. With its tartness and acidity, this porch pounder pairs really well with desserts! I’m thinking some white chocolate mousse or crème brulée!