3 Sips For National Red Wine Day And Labor Day

Thanks to Early Mountain for sending me a free bottle of wine to try in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

Today is National Red Wine Day and we are counting down to Labor Day weekend. It makes sense to me to combine the two for Wine Wednesday. Here are 3 sips for National Red Wine Day and Labor Day that could not be more different from each other.

Labor Day was established to celebrate the history of the labor movement in the United States and the contributions workers make to the country. It has evolved to symbolize the end of summer with pool parties, boating and cook outs.

To combine Labor Day and National Red Wine Day, I've picked two brands to celebrate with, each with a nod to Presidential history. The first is The Federalist, a wine commonly found on grocery shelves and in big retailers. I had it over the weekend with pizza and the combo was a big hit.

The Federalist also has line of bourbon barrel aged wines with a different label. The barrels usually impart more vanilla, caramel and smoke. If those are qualities you like, these wines might be for you. The line includes a red blend, a cabernet sauvignon and a zinfandel.

I especially like zinfandels with BBQ meats. Just watch they don't get too hot during your weekend cookout. The heat brings out the alcohol, muting the nice big fruit flavors.

The next wine is on the other end of the spectrum in many ways. It's not from California but rather Viginia, home to U.S. Presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Many people overlook Virgina when it comes to wine but there are some great ones being produced in this east coast state. Look for Early Mountain as an example. The award-winning winery grows ten different grape varieties.

The Eluvium is one of their premiere wines. A blend of 78% merlot and 22% petit verdot it was lighter and fresher than I had expected. The merlot is smooth while the petit verdot adds a kick in flavor, structure and color.

It's good for sipping around the grill and goes with lots of food you'll be cooking on it. Just remember to put a little chill on it for the best experience. Cheers to Wine Wednesday.

*Drink Responsibly

There are a number of activities that come to mind when thinking of 4th of July. One of the most popular involves grilling or cooking out and many Southwest Florida residents will be doing just that at some point. Here are 5 fabulous red white and BBQ wines to enjoy at your holiday soiree and for Wine Wednesday.

You can cook almost anything on a grill. In turn, there is a wide range of wines you can enjoy with that food. From vegetables to seafood and a variety of meats. When it comes to hearty meats, I often turn to countries that are known for grilling, like Argentina. Malbecs and red blends from here are generally a slam dunk and mostly affordable too.

One of my go to wines for grilling is zinfandel. The red wine is typically full of fruit and spice. Some can be high in alcohol and over extracted. But when they are made thoughtfully and with balance in mind, they are fantastic.

At a cookout last weekend I had a Girasole Zinfandel. My friend said it was a recommended purchase at his local liquor store. I agreed with the recommendation. It was fantastic with the burgers as well as variety of side dishes.

Finally, it is pretty hot this time of year. Don't forget to keep your wines chilled. Warm wine is never a good idea. Even the reds could use most likely stand a quick ice bath. Click here for tips on proper serving temperatures to get the most out of your wines in the summer heat.