The Great American Eclipse is this Monday, and you’ve got your protective eye glasses all set. But what about the wine?
For this toast-worthy event, not just any bottle will do — you want something really special. So we looked to California labels with a moon or sun theme when we created our solar eclipse-pairing guide. (Psst, it’s not day drinking if the sky’s gone dark.)
- Valley of the Moon Winery: Tucked into one of Sonoma County’s valleys, this winery produces cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and zinfandel. Raise a glass of 2014 Pinot Blanc ($25) as the silvery white moon starts to block out the sun’s rays.
- 7 Moons Wine: This blend of seven red grape varietals represents the seven moon phases as it waxes and wanes. The 2015 Red Blend ($13) of syrah, merlot, petit sirah, zinfandel, cabernet, malbec and grenache will take you through all of the eclipse’s phases.
- Luna Vineyards: This Napa Valley winery takes its name from the Italian word for moon. The 2015 Pinot Grigio ($15) is a lively bright, lemony and crisp wine.
- Frey Vineyards: The Great American Eclipse calls for bubbly, and the folks at Mendocino’s biodynamic and organic winery Frey are toasting with the 2007 Totality Organic Sparkling Wine ($48), a dry blanc de blancs.
- Moon Onx: Drink in the dark side of the moon during partial totality with Trader Joe’s private label inky red wine blend. The non-vintage Moon Onx ($7) zinfandel, syrah and merlot blend has blackberry, spice and chocolate notes.
- Trader Joe’s moon series: This fun, private-label wine has several varietals to choose from, including a 2015 Honey Moon Viognier ($5.50), 2014 Old Moon Zinfandel ($6) and 2015 Velvet Moon Cabernet Sauvignon ($6). We like the light-bodied, grassy 2014 Bay Moon Sauvignon Blanc ($5), which reminds us of moonlight shimmering on the San Francisco Bay.
- Mer Soleil Vineyard: Once the moon passes over the sun, celebrate with the 2015 Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay ($32), a rich and luscious, sunny-hued, lemon-tinged wine.
- El Sol Winery: Once full sunlight returns, turn to El Sol’s portfolio of Livermore Valley wines to welcome it back. Try the sunny 2013 Chardonnay ($22)
- Standing Sun Wines: Salute the sun with this Rhone-varietal specialist’s wines from Buellton in Santa Barbara County. The crisp, juicy 2016 Syrah Sangiovese Rosé ($25), made with organic grapes, is a perfect end-of-summer wine.