(Article originally published on L’Officiel Mx web edition)

During this pandemic and lockdown times, there’s no better way to let our imagination run wild and travel to different places than through food and wine. It’s precisely the latter that I would love to explore and share with you my summer suggestions and “travel” with help from our imagination and our senses through three of my favorite places in Europe.

FRANCE

Our first stop on this wine travel is on France, particularly the Provence region, home to some of the best rosé wines the world has to offer. Our two suggestions from this region are:

Chateau La Gordonne, Teté de Cuvée Rose. Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz blend, this rosé is not your typical wine from Provence, given that additionally to the characteristic strawberry, green apple and peach notes of this region, this wine has a really interesting complexity that makes it perfect to pair with grilled fish or veggies, intense cheese or even to be drank as an apertitif.

Our second suggestion might seem a little bit like a tourist trap, given that the winery is owned no other than by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. However, that couldn’t be farthest from the truth. Chateau Miraval products all their wine organically and using the highest standards and techniques resulting in a rosé of the highest quality. This wine has a pale pink color, characteristic of the rosé wines of Provence, and in the palate it has floral, red fruit, strawberry, peach and green apple notes. Pair this wine with seafood and grilled fish or simply drink it by the grill while you wait for your guests to arrive.

SPAIN

For Spain we chose two totally different wines from different regions and traditions, however both owned by the same family of winemakers.

To keep up with the freshness and spark of the French rosés, we tried a fabulous Albariño from Rías Baixas: Lagar de Cervera, choosen by Wine Spectator like one of the top 100 wines in the world in 2004. This white wine has bright, pale straw color with golden hues. It has fresh green apples, peach, citrus and pear notes. Pair it with seafood, sushi and sashimi or also as an aperitif. The best thing is that its price-quality ratio makes it ideal to bring at your next bbq with friends.

Our next suggestion is a red wine, and it works perfectly for summer time given its freshness and quality. From the Rioja region and one of my favorite winemakers (La Rioja Alta, S.A. whose first president was a woman in 1890) we discovered the Viña Ardanza Reserva 2010. 80% Tempranillo and 20% Grenache blend aged for 36 months is American Oak, which contributes those terciary aromas of caramel and vanilla that I love to find in Rioja wines. It’s freshness is second to none, specifically being a Reserva: red fruit, plums and vanilla notes are present. This wine would pair beautifully with game, hearty dishes and premium charcuterie.

ITALY

Our last stop on this small “trip” is Italy. Our suggestion is a wine from the Piedmont region. Elio Altare is one of the top winemakers of the region and his  Nebbiolo Langhe 2017 shows us precisely why. This red wine has medium plus body, refined and silky tannin and a long finish . Notes of strawberry, cherry, red fruit and spices are perfectly integrated. We suggest pairing with summer style risottos or fresh mushrooms and truffle pasta.