Chill wines for hot times

It's been a scorching record-breaking mutha-effing heat wave around here lately and many people are asking me which wines to put on the table that might offer the most relief. Here are a couple thoughts for you.

One thing I think of first is freshness. Secondly, good acidity that just makes your mouth water. Lastly, and 99% of the time, NO OAK.

The following is only a guideline and in no way complete, but it's certainly a good start as you head to the store to reload.

-Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc from Northern Italy's Alto Adige

-crisp Riesling from Germany's Mosel region but stick with entry level QBA as opposed to Kabinett, Spatlese, etc. for these high heat times

-Txakolina from Spain's Basque region and its sister Txakolina Rose if you can find it-awesome,

- crisp Chablis from France not California

- Austria's Gruner Veltliner- may be the only white wine that sings with your artichokes and asparagus

- Portugal's Vinho Verde- too easy to drink and enjoy

- windswept crisp white blends from France's Ventoux

- Loire Valley whites and rose'

- Rose'- rose' is delicious any time of the year, but most people only reach for it during the summer. Maybe it'll garner a more prominent place at the table year round since it's gonna save your butt during this heat wave. The darkness or lightness of the color of Rose' is not that important to me. I do love the pinks from southern France, southern Italy and northern Spain. Definitely Champagne- but that's another story for another time.

- From Italy's Veneto region- Prosecco, made from the grape of the same name. This sparkling will charm you with its easy ways. If you're feeling even more festive, fill a big wine glass with ice, pour in a jigger of Aperol, a few jiggers of Prosecco, a splash of soda, then get yourself a plate of olives or other snack, sit, relax, and enjoy the day with this delightful Italian cocktail.

Okay, that's it in a nutshell. I'd love to hear of your favorites. Stay cool.

Oh, one other killer non-alcoholic drink I had the other day at EVOO on SE Hawthorne was the Elderberry Flower Spritzer. Refreshing and not sweet. Just the Elderberry and sparkling water-that's it.
I think the Elderberry potion is available from Provvista. www.provvista.com

A story and a song from Alejandro Fernandez -- Pesquera, Spain 2009