7 Best Wines to Enjoy After a Ride
Sonoma, Bordeaux, Chianti: Is it any coincidence that the most beautiful places to ride also produce the most delicious wines? We think not.
Wine has a rich heritage in the cycling sport and lifestyle, with good reason. It not only pairs perfectly with your post-ride baguette, but is also good for you; in moderation, wine has been shown to protect against heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and other chronic conditions. We asked cycling sommelier Stefani Jackenthal, author of Wanderlust Wining and owner of NTS Wine Tasting LLC in New York City, for a few of the best bike wine pairings. Savor one of these for your next ride.
Bodega Mendel Estate Malbec Mendoza; Argentina ($25)
Need to warm your core after a long, chilly ride? Reach for this big, bold Malbec. “I did a wine tour through Argentina and this was the clear standout—the best Malbec I’ve had,” says Jackenthal. “It has complex layers of bold dark fruit, chocolate earthiness with leather and spice, and a long, generous finish.” The grapes are grown on 85-year-old vines in tannic soil, and the wine is aged in oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, so it has an edge of maturity and complexity that keeps unfolding in the glass—with notes of black cherry, black plum, blackberry, and chocolate (and a touch of vanilla). It’s like hot cocoa wine.
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Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio; Trentino, Italy ($9)
In need of a goblet of something cool and refreshing after a long day of pedaling in the heat? This bright white wine is like lemonade for the soul. “This is not your grandma’s Pinot Grigio. It’s not a fruit bomb,” says Jackenthal. “It’s a bright wine with just the right acidity. It’s beautiful and refreshing with notes of pear and great minerality. And for $9 you can’t go wrong!”
Marchesi Antinori Tignanello; Tuscany, Italy ($100)
Cyclists who love celebrating cycling’s heritage by participating in throwback events like L’Eroica can keep the party rolling long after they’ve racked their vintage DeRosa with a kickass Tuscan wine, like this award-winning classic from one of the top wine makers in the region, says Jackenthal. “It’s 85-percent Sangiovese, 10-percent Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5-percent Cabernet Franc,” she says. “It pleases with deep-red, spicy fruit aromas and notes of red plum, black cherry, and raspberry, with a splash of black licorice on the back end. It’s an elegant wine.” The price? Yep: These days it doesn’t come cheap. “But back in the day it cost just a nickel!” says Jackenthal.
Olga Raffault Chinon Champ-Chenin; Loire Valley, France (Chenin Blanc) ($23)
Next time you’re picnicking on scenic vista overlooking a rambling river, pour a couple of cups of this rich white wine to wash down your brie, berries, and sourdough. “This is one of the unsung heroes of white wine,” says Jackenthal. “It’s rich in white fruit flavors and has a wonderful minerality, beeswax, and wet wool nuances so typical of great Chenin Blanc. It’s also a bit of a chameleon and will hold up to and complement any cheese.”
Laetitia Reserva Du Domaine Pinot Noir; Arroyo Grande Valley, California ($42)
Pair your post-ride plate of pasta with a glass of this gorgeous garnet-hued goodness. “This is a pretty wine that’s rich in black cherry and red raspberry flavors with earthy undertones,” says Jackenthal. “It’s almost silky in texture with delicate tannins, a touch of sweet smokiness, and shitake mushroom. It’s got a little savory herbalness and feels outdoorsy, which makes it perfect for hungry cyclists enjoying a post-ride meal,” she says.
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Vinos Valtuille Pago de Valdoneje Bierzo Cepas Viejas; Bierzo, Spain ($23)
Many of the top pros set up training camps in Spain. That might not work for your lifestyle, but you can pretend with a bottle of this Spanish red made from the Mencia grape grown in northern Spain. “The soil is slate and granite, and the wine is steel-aged, so it’s a clean wine with minerality, enticing floral aromas, and delicious crushed berry, espresso, dark chocolate, and violet flavors,” says Jackenthal. “It’s not particularly heavy, but more medium-bodied, which helps it go down well after a full day of riding. When you swirl it and put your nose to it, you really want to kick back and relax and enjoy it.”
Wallula Vineyards 2010 Den Hoed “Andreas” Cabernet Sauvignon; Horse Heaven Hills, Washington ($80)
Just completed your first century or survive your first race? Celebrate with a rich, healing vino like this weighty cabernet from Washington. “It’s 100-percent cabernet that overflows with fleshy dark fruit, cassis, leather, and crushed white pepper,” says Jackenthal. “It has an opulent full body, structured tannin, and terrific acidity, with flavors of dark cherry, fig, dark chocolate, as well as sweet spices. It’s a perfect holiday or celebration bottle.”
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