Who doesn’t love Fridays? Even when I worked as a pastry chef—when my days off tended to be random weekdays here and there—I still felt the excitement and draw of the upcoming fun (and busy rush) that Friday afternoons heralded in. And nothing brings in that feeling more than a warm, hazy summer day, when all you want to do is bust out of work and hit a roof bar with a glass of vino and friends.

With that kind of summer loving Friday in mind, I’m kicking off my new blog post ‘Ready for the Weekend’ a little weekend inspiration. You can still expect to find my regular post at the start of the week, but I’ll also start sending out a quick note on Friday with something to get you ready to relax.

Lately one of my favorite things to sip has been Lambrusco, the bubbly Italian chilled red wine. Although poor production standards helped the wine develop a bit of a bad rap in the 1980s, this variety is making a serious comeback. Whether it’s an earthy glass of Grasparossa di Castelvetro, or a slightly sweeter Roncolo, I’m a fan all the way. Paired with a hunk of salty, briny aged gouda or parmiggiano reggianno, it’s the ultimate in summertime wine-cheese treats. Lambrusco is refreshing and seriously gulpable, a great way to spend a Friday enjoying the sunset, or the perfect way to finish off your Sunday picnic. Or, if you are really feeling the bubbly red, both.