Elk Cove Vineyards Riesling 2008, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($20.99) – Elk Cove Vineyards' Riesling is crafted in a classically Alsatian style, with a dry palate and aromas of petrol, pear and green apple. This medium-bodied, unoaked wine features excellent freshness and a clean finish. Enjoy it with bratwurst or pork chops with sauerkraut, roast chicken, or mild, semi-soft cheeses.

Chemistry white blend 2009, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($14.99) – Chemistry is inspired by the crisp Alsatian blends known as 'edelzwicker', which combine Pinot Gris, Riesling and Pinot Blanc grapes. The winemakers for Chemistry have added a healthy does of Chardonnay for extra richness, though this is not an oaky wine. Hints of apricot, green apple and pear make this a nice match for sushi and other seafood dishes.

Damien Coquelet Gamay 2009, Beaujolais-Villages, Burgundy, France ($17.99) – Damien Coquelet's Beaujolais-Villages is a hearty example of Gamay, with medium body, moderate tannins and a dark, opaque purple color. It has aromas and flavors of plums, red raspberries, strawberries and spice. It's a wonderful match with grilled pork loin and mashed potatoes.

Domaine de Lascaux red blend Vintage, Pic St. Loup, Languedoc, France ($19.99) – Pic St. Loup sits on the highest plain of the Languedoc, making it the area's coolest appellation. This allows the grapes to attain greater complexity of flavor than anywhere else in the region. This blend of 60% Syrah and 40% Grenache has a deep purple color, aromatics of blue fruits and a delicious palate that is framed by abundant fine-grained tannins. Unfiltered and unoaked, this is an exceptionally pure expression of Pic St. Loup terroir.

Joan d’Anguera Garnacha 2009, Montsant, Catalonia, Spain ($16.99) – Beautifully bright, transparent crimson color with fresh, floral aromas reminiscent of thyme, rosemary and wild berries. On the palate the wine is refreshing and savory with great purity and length. It's a nice pair with wild game, standing rib roast and other hearty fare. Additionally, the wine is crafted from biodynamically grown grapes.

 

Paul Dolan Vineyards Chardonnay 2008, Mendocino County, California ($15.99) – The vineyards that provided the biodynamically-farmed grapes for this wine were planted in the early 1970s, with low-yielding older varietal clones. A cool-site vineyard north of Lake Mendocino, and a warmer-site vineyard near the Russian River, combined to make this elegant wine. Pear and citrus fruit is complemented by creamy vanilla spice, making this a nice pair with chicken, pork and hearty seafood dishes.

Trefethen ‘Double T’ Chardonnay 2008, Napa Valley, California ($19.99) – Made from Trefethen's youngest vines, their 'Double T' Chardonnay displays delightful aromas of citrus, peach and nectarine. The bright fruit is augmented by a judicious use of French oak barrels, lending notes of graham cracker and baking spices while enhancing the full-bodied mouthfeel. Enjoy it on its own or with pan-seared scallops.

Esporão ‘Reserva’ white blend 2008, Alentejo, Portugal ($16.99) – A blend of indigenous varieties Antão Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro, the Esporao ‘Reserva’ is a full-bodied, barrel aged wine, making it a fantastic Chardonnay alternative. Unlike many of the bright-and-lively Portuguese whites we have, this offers greater complexity, a richer mouth feel and ripe pear and apple fruit flavors. As such, it stands up to more than just seafood, though crab cakes and lobster would still be delicious options.

Muralhas de Moncão Rosé 2009, Vinho Verde, Minho, Portugal ($11.99) – Another great value from one of our favorite distributors, the Muralhas de Monção Vinho Verde is made from the obscure (to us) Alvarelhao, Pedral and Vinhao grapes. A little bit of spritz, low alcohol and bright, fresh flavors of strawberry and watermelon make this dry rosé the perfect wine for a lazy Sunday.

Bouza Tannat 2007, Uruguay ($18.99) – We've been on the lookout for a good Tannat from Uruguay for a number of months, but, as we've discovered, they're few and far between. We finally found one that shows all the good characteristics of this obscure grape; dark currant, red fruit and spice are complimented by grippy tannins, moderate acidity and a mild oak influence. Enjoy this structured red with a well-marbled cut of beef and roast potatoes.

 

Valle Dell’Acate ‘Zagra’ Insolia • Grillo 2008, Sicily, Italy ($16.99) – This brisk, refreshing blend of indigenous grapes Insolia and Grillo shows beautiful floral aromatics, melon and soft pear flavors. Fermentation and aging in stainless steel maintains the bright nature of the wine. A hint of salinity on the finish makes this a delicious wine to pair with fried fish or tempura. 

Domaine des Aphillanthes Rosé 2009, Côtes du Rhône, Rhône Valley, France ($14.99) – This dry rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Counoise with a splash of Mourvedre, and boasts beautiful cherry, strawberry and rose petal aromas. Full-bodied by rosé standards, it has a pleasant mouth feel, with excellent freshness a delicious, clean finish. This great summer sipper is perfectly tasty on its own, or it be can paired with a variety of Mediterranean cuisine such as lemon and herb-stuffed trout on the grill.

Le Campuget Syrah • Viognier 2008, Van de Pays du Gard, France ($11.99) – The wildly popular Campuget white blend now has a partner in this fantastic summer time red. While this lush wine's blend of Syrah with a splash of Viognier is reminiscent of reds from the northern Rhone, Campuget’s incarnation is light and fresh, and completely unoaked, which lets the wine flaunt its lively fruit character. Le Campuget is bursting with aromas of fresh violets, strawberries and blackberries. Deliciously easy to drink, this could be the perfect picnic red, served with or without a bit of a chill.

Vinos de Terruños ‘TPG’ Garnacha Tintorera 2008, Almansa, Spain ($13.99) – Made entirely from organically farmed grapes, this private label for importer José Pastor is crafted from the Garnacha Tintorera grape. Known locally as Alicante, you may not know the grape, but you’ll love the delicious, easy going style of this wine. Light- to medium-bodied, but not lacking in flavor, it has aromas of crushed berries, cherries and spice, finishing with excellent freshness. Enjoy this with pork tacos, paella, fried chicken or grilled shrimp.

Charles Smith Wines ‘Chateau Smith’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, Columbia Valley, Washington ($19.99) – Yet another fantastic offering from rock star winemaker Charles Smith, the 'Chateau Smith' is packed with voluptuous dark fruit, red currants, cigar box and cedar aromas. The flavors carry through to the palate, which boasts a smooth, opulent texture and excellent balance. The natural choice would be to pair it with a strip steak, but a pork chop with a pomegranate-red wine reduction would be equally delicious.