It’s summer. It’s hot. But don’t worry — there’s wine to match the season, even for those 100-plus-degree days when the sun is so bright it hurts to think about it. And since these are younger wines, they’re generally less expensive, with fine selections for less than $10.
Serve these wines well chilled — practically ice cold, if you can find a way.
• Tamas Estates Pinot Grigio 2000 ($9). It’s difficult to find a white wine this well made for less than $10, which makes this a real find. Tamas Estates, owned by California’s Wente family, produces an Italian-style wine that is fruitier than most and French bottles. Serve it with mussels or a Caesar salad.
• Hope Estate Verdelho 2000 ($8). Hope Estates is the brainchild of Michael Hope, a pharmacist who has been making interesting wines since 1994. This Australian white, made with a Portuguese grape usually used to make Port, isn’t as tart as a sauvignon blanc, but it’s still quite fruity. Serve it with seafood and lightly spiced Asian dishes.
• Marques de Caceres Rioja Rose 2001 ($7). This Spanish rose — made with red grapes — is surprisingly dry, not at all like a white zinfandel. It pairs well with simple food such as hamburgers. Best yet, it’s often on sale for $5 or $6.
