Summer Wine Suggestions!

Ya want to chill down a tasty wine beside the pool, a picnic, the lake sitting on your deck with friends. You walk into the wine section of your grocery store or even more discombobulating, into a real wine store. The choices are a maze of hundreds of wines of myriad colors and hues. 

My first rule: Stay away from basically any wine with a "cutesy" label, animals on the label, or some crass name like "Fat Bastard." Also avoid the ubiquitous "Yellow Tail" brand. For the same price or less, you can get a decently made wine!

1. Rosés:  Most are not the sugary, flabby, or tasteless wines they were 20 years ago. Available from a host of countries, and made from a plethora of grape varieties, these are nice, chilled-down wines (in an ice bucket or fridge, NOT by putting ice in your wine glass!)

2. Whites:  A host of super fruity white wines that are great by themselves like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Chenin Blanc, or blends of a varying nature. These might urge you to say, "This is sweet" when in reality they may be bone dry but because they are so fruity, you may think they are sugared up when they are not. Chardonnay, Muscat, Muscadet, Semillon (can be dry or sweet) and Pinot Gris. 

3.  Reds:  Beaujolais (which will be French) are delightful with a chill on them, and Pinot Noir as well. Solid and value Pinot Noirs are coming out of California, and Oregon as well as Europe.

4.  Bubbly: Sparkling wines are always easy to find and usually refreshing and crisp. 

Bottom line: If you are at a wine store, their staff tends to be knowledgeable and can make great recommendations.  Just tell them your price point (how much you want to spend) and they can make some solid recommendations.  Have fun!  Stay safe! And savor the glories of Summer!