My partner and I enjoy our little deck overlooking downtown most evenings during the summer. It’s a lot of planting containers with flowers, herbs, and veggies, and a little table with two chairs. It’s where we eat most of our evening meals, and with the heat, we tend to eat a lot lighter: lots of salads, simple grilled meats and vegetables, and charcuterie with cheese and bread. When it comes to the wine, though, it gets a bit trickier. Whites are easy, but reds can sometimes be a bit heavy during summer. Balance is key. Now, this isn’t a new wine: it’s a classic and Surdyk’s has carried it for many years. The Perrin Family is a leading negociant in the southern Rhone Valley, with many respected labels. This is their Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, emphasis on the “Villages.” It means that the grapes in this bottle are sourced from smaller, geographically specific regions within the Rhone River valley (they are villages) and the resulting wine is recognized as higher quality than the standard Côtes-du-Rhône. If you’re still reading this, I’d really like to mention the juice itself. Remember, balance is key, and this wine is a consistent poster child for the definition of balance; it’s why I’ve probably put it in your cart before if you’ve shopped with me prior. Full-bodied, with yummy, rounded tannins that work perfectly with ripe, red berry fruit and spice imparted by the Mediterranean sun. It’s the perfect summer red, and one of the few wines I (personally and actually) stock up on, due to its versatility. Dinners, lunches, parties, weddings, or even just sipping while watching the sunset. Here’s to more patio!