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8 Olympic Worthy Wines To Sip For The Summer Games

Author Gina Birch

Thanks to Don Pascual Wine, IXSIR, and Sena for providing me with free bottles of wine to try in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Every four years around this time. something magical happens in the world of sports. You don’t have to be a sports fan to be wooed by the Summer Olympics. The games bring people together, just like wine. To celebrate both, here are 8 Olympic worthy wines to sip for the summer games.

Olympic Worthy Wines From Greece

First, let’s start our wine drinking journey at the beginning, the country hosting the first Olympic Games. Greek athletes have been most successful in weightlifting over the years. Greece is big and produces a lot of wine, many of which are hard to pronounce. But don’t let that stop you from trying them.

Bottle of Santorini Nykteri
Photo: Gina Birch
Santorini Nykteri is a dry white wine that is predominantly Assyrtiko. Assyrtiko grape vines are cool little nests in the ground on the famous island of Santorini. Even though this is dry, it still has a round mouthfeel with stone fruit flavors like pear. It’s also is a bit floral. This is a fun wine. $35

Olympic Worthy Wines From France

Next, this summer’s host country, France. France actually hosted the second Games of the Olympiad in Paris in 1900. Fun fact: they invented the Olympic Village. The country is also held in high regard for its winemaking prowess.

It’s only fitting I choose a wine from Gerard Bertrand, a former rugby player. He took his competitive edge to the vineyards and has changed the way the world views wines from the Languedoc region. I opened a 2017 Chateau L’Hospitalet La Clap during opening ceremonies and it was fantastic.

Bottle of Gerard Bertrand L'Hospitalet La Clape wine
Gerard Bertrand Wine
2021 is the current vintage Chateau L’Hospitalet La Clap. I had the 2017 in my collection. While it was enjoyable upon release, it but got even better with a few more years. A blend of syrah, grenache and mourvedre, it was intense yet balanced with full red fruit and spice. $50 range.

Olympic Worthy Wines From Italy

If there were an Olympic medal for fashion, Italy would take home the gold. But there is not. The country has traditionally seen most of its medal success in fencing. Italy also produces world-class wines in almost every region of the country.

I’ve tried wines from Pascua before, but not this one, at least not yet. I included without review because of the name. Hey French: You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t. The tasting notes also sound good.

Single bottle of Pascua Hey French wine
Pasqua Wines
Hey French is the first multi-vintage Italian wine on the market, blending the finest vintages from the past decade. Primarily using Garganega grapes, this white boasts notes of citrus and a robust structure. Its label is designed by contemporary artist CB Hoyo. $45

Olympic Worthy Wines From Lebanon

Lebanon is not a team you hear much about when it comes to the Olympics. Their small delegation of athletes are competing in tennis, table tennis, fencing, shooting, and judo this summer.

Sadly, the country is better known for its war-torn history. However, the vines somehow survive as well as thrive. This is from IXSIR, and the vineyards are some of the highest in the northern hemisphere. The wines and winery have received numerous accolades and after tasting this one, I understand why.

Wine bottle with a glass of red wine and a black and white vase in the background
Gina Birch
IXSIR Grande Reserve is a blend of mostly syrah with some cabernet sauvignon and arinarnoa. It had rich flavors of boysenberry, cherry and is one of those fun to discover wines as it sits in the glass and opens up. The finish is a bit chalky but in a good way. $40

Olympic Worthy Wines From Spain 

Spain has won more medals in sailing than any other sport in the summer games. Kind of fitting, considering the country’s centuries-old history of exploration. Rioja is one of the best-known regions of Spain, and it’s where this wine hails from.

Bottle of Bodegas Valdemar 2019 Conde Valdemar Crianza on a red couch
Photo: Gina Birch
Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Crianza is mostly Tempranillo. It smells like juicy dark berries. The flavor is similar with the addition of lingering spices and a hint of licorice. Good with ribs, burgers and even pizza. Nice price too. $20

Olympic Worthy Wines From Uruguay 

Uruguay is credited with changing the way the world and the Olympics viewed soccer. It happened after their appearance 100 years ago at the 1924 games in Paris. They upset Switzerland for the gold and introduced the world to South American-style football.

The small country bordering Argentina also makes great wine. They do a particularly good job with the tannat grape.

Bottle of Don Pascual Coastal Tannat with a glass of red wine
Gina Birch
Don Pascual Coastal Tannat is a good summer wine. It’s a little brambly purple fruit, nice acid, good with food but could also sip with a little chill on it. It is a great value wine at $16. Get two.

Olympic Worthy Wines From Chile

Did you happen to see the 58-year-old table tennis player from Chile? One of the oldest athletes at the games, she won a bronze medal. Tennis is the sport this South American country has medaled most in. But what about their wines?

One of its most notable is Don Melchor Cabernet. Award-winning and at a premium price. This one is similar in stature and co-founded by a famous American cabernet producer. It’s the love child of Robert Mondavi and pioneering Chilean winemaker Eduardo Chadwick.

Bottle of Sena wine
Gina Birch
The 2020 Sena is blend of 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Malbec, 15% Carmenere and 7% Petit Verdot. It does not have the herbal notes found in a lot of Chilean cabs. This one is fruity, silky and elegant. It’s a keeper and a good gift too. $150

Olympic Worthy Wines From The United States

Last but certainly not least, let’s bring it home with a wine from the United States. The U.S. won its first medals of the 2024 games in the 3-meter synchronized springboard competition and has not looked back.

Some type of wine is produced in almost every state in the U.S. Numerous athletes are investors and owners in wineries. Even NBC Olympic commentator and old-school rapper Snoop Dog has his own wine. However, for today’s piece, I have to pick something iconic. A California Cabernet Sauvignon with a twist.

A bottle of "S" by Ray Signorello
Photo: Gina Birch
“S” by Signorello is a Napa cab said to be made in a French-style. It has great structure, is dark and dense but still silky and elegant. A great example of what a Napa cab could and should be and a perfect ending for wines suited for Olympians. $80

Raise a glass to the Olympians and their hard work to be the best in their sports. Cheers to Wine Wednesday.

*Drink responsibly.

Gina Birch brings the sunshine to Sunny 106.3 every weekday morning from 6-10. She has worked in radio, television and print in Southwest Florida for nearly 30 years. During that time, she has become an advocate for numerous charities including those that support animals, children, women and wellness. In addition, she has written for numerous local, regional and national publications about food, wine and travel. Those are her longtime passions...along with shoes.

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