Refreshing summer wines under $20
The floral 2013 Santi Pinot Grigio IGT Sortesele ($16) offers a suggestion of pear and melon, with a trace of pepperiness, too. Credit: frederickwildman.com
There are those humid, summer days when you think: Maybe winter is pretty good, after all. One way to cool off during the sticky weather: a bright, light white wine. Keeping the price less than $20 helps, too.
The 2012 Trivento Torrontés Reserve ($12) fits the description and does so at a very respectable price. You'll find citrus notes and some tropical fruit in this refresher from Argentina. The 2013 Luigi Bosca Finca La Linda Torrontes ($15) announces itself with peach and citrus, plus flowers. Both wines are fine with Mexican and Thai cuisines, and are a lively accompaniment to sushi.
And the crisp, no-nonsense 2013 Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc ($11) brings in a haul of tropical fruit and citrus. The Chilean wine is a match for shellfish and light seafood.
Take an Italian trip with the grassy, citrusy 2013 Aia Vecchia Vermentino IGT Maremma Toscana ($12) , a fresh and easygoing choice that is especially right with uncomplicated seafood dishes, from salad to crudo, fritto misto to simply prepared finfish.
The floral 2013 Santi Pinot Grigio IGT Sortesele ($16) offers a suggestion of pear and melon, with a trace of pepperiness, too. It's a versatile wine, ready for poolside, rooftop and backyard parties.
From Alsace comes the 2012 Hugel et Fils Gentil ($15) , a white blend of gewürztraminer with pinot gris, riesling, muscat and sylvaner. The result is slightly floral, dry and ideal chilled, to be served with appetizers and seafood.
