Beyond cabernet with famous wine importer

According to wine importer Eric Solomon, if Charleston had a wine profile, it would be fresh and breezy, with a deep sense of place and history. And if that sounds a little more like a place description than a beverage description, well, that is fine with him.

Solomon's mantra when it comes to wine is "emphasizing place over process."

With the help of Palmetto Distributing, he introduced some of his favorite wines to the Charleston area last Thursday with a mammoth wine tasting at Oak Steakhouse.

Palmetto Distributing in North Charleston recently agreed to represent the portfolio of European Cellars, the collection of accolade winning wines from Solomon, a James Beard foundation and Food & Wine's award winning importer.

Throughout his career, he has proven he has a knack for uncovering seriously delicious wines. In 1989, he began European Cellars, representing a handful of producers from Chateauneuf-du-Pape - a relatively unknown and certainly untapped growing region at the time.

"Eric Solomon's reintroduction to the Charleston market is going to bring Charleston some of the best French and Spanish wines available in the world," says Brad Norton, president of Palmetto Distributing.

For Thursday's tasting, Palmetto Distributing divided 41 French and Spanish wines into separate rooms of "white" and "red." There was an abundance of knowledgeable wine pourers, and in the white room, there was a healthy dose of rose, which Solomon pointed out was perfect for steamy Charleston summers.

"I almost always drink a rose with fish like salmon or tuna," he says. "The color throws a lot of people off, but if you close your eyes, it is a light-bodied red, very dry, not sweet at all."

Also, he cannot help but point out the Southern parallels between South Carolina and the southern charm and hospitality of Provence.

"It is exemplified by a perfect glass of coral-colored dry rose from Provence. It goes so well with Lowcountry cooking and can handle spice and heat," he explains.

The meaning: it is definitely time for all Americans to stop thinking "pink" means White Zinfandel. But more than that, it's the idea that the Lowcountry has embraced - that where things are grown matters - and with wine, that place can be bottled.

Some tasty highlights to look for in the Lowcountry

When you are throwing a garden party or sitting on the porch with friends:

Gramon Gessami 2009 / Penedes(white)

Clean, medium-bodied with lingering floral

Something infinitely more interesting than just another Chardonnay:

Burgans Albarino 2009 / Rias Baixas (white)

Versatile and can be enjoyed by those “I only drink red wine” people

The big celebrations:

Artadi Pagos Viejos 2007 / Rioja (red)