Lifestyle

What Makes a Wine Perfect for the Summer Weather?

Published

2 years ago

July 24, 2023

One of the main reasons why wine has been such a popular drink for so much of human history is its versatility. There’s a wine for every occasion, whether that be with a luxurious meal, a light lunch, or simply relaxing with your favorite book, you can choose from crisp whites or decadent reds like a Saint-Emilion (discover it here).

The summer is a time of late nights spent outside enjoying the warm air and sunbathing during the day to soak in the heat. What kind of wine is best for the summer weather? Let’s find out.

Red Wines for Summer

We often think of red wines as heavy and quite full on, not exactly what you’re looking for in a refreshing summertime drink. While some reds certainly fall into this category, there’s a whole world of red wine out there and many are perfect for sipping in the summer.

The key is to look for red wines that are low in tannins. Tannins are chemical compounds found in red wine that give it that distinct dryness, and they can dehydrate us when we ingest them. While tannin-heavy reds are perfect for some situations, they won’t be what you’re looking for in a refreshing drink during the heat of a summer’s day. Acidity is important too. High-acidity reds will be more refreshing and more suitable for summer drinking.

A general rule of thumb is that red wine shouldn’t be chilled, but that isn’t always the case. In fact, chilled red wine can be a fantastic choice during the summer.

White Wines for Summer

When we want a refreshing wine, we’ll often reach for a white. They’re light and crisp, making them perfect for summer drinking. When choosing a summer white, look for wines that have a light to medium body, as heavy whites can be a bit too much in the heat.

As with reds, high acidity is ideal in a summer white. Look for wines that have citrus notes or even floral notes. While dry reds should be avoided in the summer, dry whites are perfectly fine, as the driest white will be nowhere near as dry as the driest red.

Rose Wines for Summer

Rose wine is often forgotten about due to how popular reds and whites are, but these wines can offer the best of both worlds. Roses are versatile and can be drunk in a number of different situations, whether that be sunbathing on the beach or watching the stars on a summer night.

Unlike reds and some whites, rose wines don’t age well. In fact, age can often degrade the quality of a rose wine, dulling the complex flavors and tones. When selecting a summer rose, pay attention to the age of the bottle and ensure you are drinking wine within at most two years of production.

Sparkling rose can be an excellent option, perfect for a summer celebration out in the garden with friends and family.

Conclusion

Now that summer is finally here, knowing what kind of wine is best for warmer months is important and it will allow you to enjoy your summer in style.

Lifestyle

Confronting Propaganda: Street Smart Documents Honest Reactions to Gaza Indoctrination Footage

Published

1 day ago

November 6, 2025

Michelle Langton

Photo Courtesy of: Street Smart

Byline: Michelle Langton

In a recent project, the Street Smart team gathered 20 strangers and presented them with propaganda footage from Gaza that has circulated widely online but remains largely unfamiliar to many audiences. The aim wasn’t to provoke outrage or test media literacy in a classroom setting. It was to capture raw, unfiltered emotional reactions to material that reveals how narratives are formed at the source. The resulting video offers a candid look at how people process shocking content and how their perceptions shift when they see what is rarely shown on mainstream platforms.

The Structure of the Experiment

The format was simple. Participants were seated and shown a series of clips from Gaza, including children’s programming and broadcasts containing intense ideological messaging. No background information was provided, and viewers were not instructed on how to interpret what they were seeing. After watching, they were asked for immediate reactions.

The footage elicited a wide range of emotions. Some viewers were stunned by the content, admitting they had never seen anything like it before. Others expressed disbelief, questioning why this kind of material isn’t more widely discussed. A few were visibly shaken, saying the experience fundamentally altered their understanding of the situation.

By presenting the footage without narration or added commentary, Street Smart allowed participants’ genuine responses to emerge. The experiment revealed how propaganda can affect an entire generation. It can shock, unsettle, and force people to reconsider their assumptions.

Why This Project Matters

Sage Fox and Dorani aligned the purpose of this experiment with Street Smart’s broader mission of challenging prevailing narratives and encouraging critical thought among younger audiences. In an environment where footage spreads rapidly across digital platforms, propaganda can shape public opinion long before context catches up.

By showing the Gaza Indoctrination footage in a controlled setting and recording uncoached responses, the team aimed to expose the emotional and cognitive impact of this type of content.

“The first reaction is often the most revealing, because it shows how powerful images can be without context.”

The Range of Reactions

While each participant brought their own perspective, several themes emerged. Some expressed sympathy with the imagery itself, saying it was emotionally powerful.

One participant said, “It makes me question what I see online every day. How much of it is shaped this way?”

Their comments highlight how propaganda resonates differently depending on prior knowledge and exposure. Many viewers have simply never encountered such footage directly.

Street Smart’s Approach

This project continues a pattern established by Sage Fox & Dorani’s earlier videos. Rather than relying on experts or lengthy analysis, Street Smart focuses on real people and their honest reactions. The approach is simple but effective. Present potent material, listen to what people say, and share those moments with a wider audience.

The Gaza Indoctrination footage experiment fits this model. It doesn’t attempt to draw final conclusions or offer political commentary. Instead, it documents how people respond when they’re exposed to narratives that are usually filtered through intermediaries.

Implications for Media Literacy

Beyond its viral potential, the video raises broader questions about how people interact with powerful imagery online. Propaganda operates on emotional reflexes. As this experiment shows, those reflexes are often unexamined until they’re brought to the surface.

Sage Fox & Dorani hope that projects like this push audiences to think more critically about what they see and share.

“The purpose is not to tell people what to believe. It is to remind them that every image comes from somewhere, and that source matters,” they said.

Next Steps for Street Smart

As Street Smart’s platform grows, Sage Fox & Dorani plan to conduct similar experiments in different contexts. They intend to use their direct, street-level approach to highlight how people react when presented with challenging material.

The Gaza footage project is one piece of a larger mission. The team uses simple methods to shed light on complex issues. By focusing on authentic reactions, they continue to build a unique space in online media that blends cultural investigation with raw human response.

A Window into Unfiltered Thought

“We showed 20 strangers real propaganda footage from Gaza — and filmed their unfiltered reactions” is not a dramatic exposé or academic study. It is a clear, unmediated record of how individuals respond when confronted with material designed to persuade. In that restraint lies its strength.

By documenting these moments, Street Smart shows how awareness can begin with a pause. A brief space between seeing and believing.