Drink of the Week: J. Hoffstätter Pinot Nero “Meczan” 2008

Summer temps are still climbing, and while whites and rosés get most of the warm-weather play, today’s Drink of the Week shows that sometimes a lively bottle of red can be just as refreshing as its sun-loving siblings. Less than an hour south of the Austrian border in Italy’s Alpine Alto Adige region, J. Hofstätter has been producing elegantly approachable wines since the estate was founded in 1907, and their “Meczan” Pinot Nero is a classic example of winegrower Martin Foradori’s clean, yet complex style. Notes of wild cherries and fresh herbs meet bright acidity on the finish, making this racy red a perfect match to everything from roasted white fish to sausages straight off the grill. $25, wallywine.com