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Summer wines- the Rydell "High"

By Darryl Beeson

These precisely selected Summer wines will thrill your grill with their chill and good will. Even the red wines can be served with a chill, what a deal? At these prices, you can swill your fill. 

Dry Creek Vineyard Dry Chenin Blanc, Clarksburg, California 2005 $10
Lots of citrus in the nose, the sip offers crisp apple, herbaceous elements and mineral in the long length. Consider grilled trout or maybe steamed mussels. 

Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, Venezie, Italy 2005 $10
The taste is bright, with hints of earthiness, with lemon, lemon zest and honeydew melon in the good length. This white wine is perfect for light, fresh seafood, fowl or grilled veggies.

Fra Guerau Rosé, Montsant, Spain 2005 $12
Slightly off-dry with red raspberry flavor and a vivid pink hue, this rosé combines Syrah, Merlot, and Tempranillo into a work of art with a crisp finish, a fine match to light, summertime fare including backyard paella over a pit of coals, roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or both greasy and spicy Mexican chorizo sausage.

Francis Coppola "Bianco" Pinot Grigio, California 2005 $11
There is an unusual note of earth that adds complexity to myriad of flavors, lime, grapefruit, within a medium-long finish. Did someone say grilled scampi?

Freixenet Brut de Noirs Cava, Spain NV $9
Think bubbles with burgers, the same concept as with beer. This friendly alternative to Champagne is smooth and fruit-forward with an attractive salmon pink color.

Harlow Ridge Pinot Grigio, Lodi, California 2005 $10
Softly crisp and rich upon the palate, pair with grilled vegetables and chicken/apple sausage.

Inama Soave Classico, Verona, Italy 2004 $13
This crisp white wine has a distinctive herbal edge to the nose. The sip is rounded and rich with lots of flavor and a mineral edge, destined for skewered shrimp, cherry tomatoes and big scallops.

Kenwood Vineyards Pinot Noir Rosé, Sonoma 2005 $13
An elegant nose of fresh strawberry, rhubarb and subtle spice, there are fresh strawberries  accented by an undertone of lychee in this very dry wine. This goes with anything that goes on a grill.

Lake Sonoma Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma 2005 $16
Aromas of fresh citrus, herb, gooseberry and pear, with flavors of grapefruit, lime and melon, herb and white pepper notes, as well as bracing acidity. Serve with grilled seafood or chicken.

Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Villages, France 2004/2005 $11
Rich aromas of raspberry and cotton candy, this red is tart and fruity. There is a pleasing grape flavor overtone. Pair this red with juicy, red meat.

Montecillo Crianza, Rioja, Spain 2001 $8
Red wine with aromas of blackberry and raspberry that lead to smooth dark fruit and licorice/spice, perfect for grilled vegetables, lamb or thick filet of beef.

Osborne Fino Sherry, Jerez, Spain NV $10
Dry and nutty, this wine is a great cocktail find for roasted almonds and assorted olives. Serve it, well chilled, with grilled slabs of salty ham as an extreme contrast, along with the nibbles.

Osborne Solaz Shiraz/Tempranillo, Spain 2004 $8
Approachable with jammy lightness on the palate, a natural with sizzling gourmet sausages.

Pierre Chainier Vouvray (Chenin Blanc), Loire, France 2004 $11.99
The nose is bright with apple blossom and nice citrus. The sip is complex with elements of crisp, golden delicious apple with mineral in the long length. Flame, within foil, some fresh-water fish.

Pierre Sparr "One" Alsace, France 2003 $12
Classic Alsace with almost oily, perfumed richness, this tasty white blend is composed of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Muscat, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Though sounding sweet, it is actually drier and crisper in style, perfect for herbed-lemon chicken breasts.

Premius Clairet, Entre-deux-Mers, France 2005 $10
A dry, lively rosé with a bright raspberry nose. The simple, crisp acidity complements chilled seafood or flame inspired poultry.

Premius Sauvignon Blanc, Entre-deux-Mers, France 2005 $10
Aromatic with floral and citrus notes, this white Bordeaux is fresh, with balanced acidity. Grab some goat cheese to serve with your grilled, herbed chicken.

René Barbier "Mediterranean Red" Spain NV $6
Soft and juicy with ripe berry flavors, it pairs nicely with spicy ethnic food, maybe Mexican grilled baby goat or Greek inspired lamb.

Simi Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma 2005 $15
Lots of lively acid and crisp, clean fruit flavors, they blend in a small amount of Semillon, achieving a richness on the palate. Perfect for the flamed bird, or before dinner served.

Valley of the Moon Rosato di Sangiovese, Sonoma 2005 $16
This is no wimpy blush wine, packed with aromas of fresh raspberry and cranberry, plus honeysuckle. The flavors are equally fresh and vibrant for gtilled salmon with grilled vegetables. 

Vionta Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2005 $18
A zesty, refreshing white wine, mouth-watering acidity accents with green apple, grapefruit, and Meyer lemon, being perfect for sweet, grilled-up shrimp or iced-down oysters on the half shell. 

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Darryl Beeson, the cabana boy of wine, has been known to add an ice cube, or two, to his crisp, light wine. He believes in "grills gone wild." His credentials were burned, sadly to a crisp.

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