Your Wine
By Leslie-Ann Sheppard

SOME FAVORITE WINES OF SUMMER

We've been blessed with a gorgeous summer season. With the exception of some expected humidity, almost every single day has been pleasant weather, by my standards. Summer is moving right along, and it's hard to believe it's already August.

Now is when it really gets good.

Now is when we, for better or worse, see the end of summer hovering on the horizon. And we start to really savor each bite of this moment in time. If you're not there yet, here are some wine suggestions that just may help.

UNDER $15

2006 Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Az. Agr. Fontaleoni

Refreshing and crisp like a pinot grigio, but more interesting! Vernaccia is the grape varietal that is specific to the area of San Gimignano, within the Tuscany region of Italy. The rolling hillsides are planted with this unique grape, which produces a crisp, lively dry white with complexity of minerals, stone fruits and a hint of nuts. A great cocktail white, it is also very food friendly.

2004 Cotes du Rhone, Domaine de L'Ameillaud

Ablend of syrah and Grenache grapes from the Rhone Valley, France, this is a medium-bodied dry red wine with silky texture and lots of blackberries in the nose and in the palate. Lip-smacking good as a cocktail wine, and also pairs well with many dishes- from tomato-based sauces to simply grilled meats.

UNDER $25

2005 Chardonnay 'Flood Family Vineyards,' Rancho Sisquoc

'Rancho who' you ask? Exactly what I said, and then I tasted. Exquisite medium-bodied chardonnay from California's Santa Barbara County. Customers who've discovered it keep coming back for more. Ripe pear and apple flavors, with balanced acidity and subtle notes of vanilla. Yummy.

2006 Albarosa, Cantina del Taburno

I love rosé wines. Particularly in the summertime, they can provide a wonderful experience. They combine all of the fruit of a red wine, without the tannins, and with the chilled crisp quality of a white wine. This particular rosé comes from the Campania region of Italy, and is made from the red grape Aglianico. It's zippy- almost slightly effervescent- with notes of pomegranate, strawberry and watermelon. Pair this versatile wine with anything from bluefish paté to spicy Asian preparations, to burgers on the grill.

2005 Patagonia Select Pinot Noir, Saurus

The wines from Argentina and Chile are certainly creating a splash this summer, and with good reason. Solid vinegrowing and winemaking skills, combined with lower

prices than other 'new world' regions all

have turned some heads. This pinot noir is a full-bodied style that will hold up to barbequed ribs, grilled steak tips, and spicy jerk chicken.

UNDER $50

2004 Chablis 1er Cru 'Montmains,' Domaine Jean- Marc Brocard

The quintessential summer shellfish wine. This producer is not only organic, but also biodynamic, meaning they grow and harvest their fruit according to the cycles of the sun, the moon and the stars. However they do it, it presents a delicious, mineral driven chardonnay in which you can truly taste the terrior of the calcerous soils of Chablis. Pair this with freshly shucked oysters, and you'll be sure to feel the summertime love.

2004 Pinot Noir, Inman Family Winery

Another organic producer- this one from California's Russian River Valley, Kathleen Inman made an appearance at this year's Nantucket Wine Festival and has turned many devotees on to her quality wines. She harvests the fruit from her 10 acre vineyard co-planted to pinot gris. The pinot noir is elegant, with restrained berries, a good dose of earth, integrated tannins and balanced acidity. Superb with a tuna steak or grilled shrimp skewers.

Of course, there are many, many excellent wine choices to get you in the groove for August! Wouldn't it be fun to try something different? One of the greatest things about wine is that every bottle presents a different experience- something you won't find when opening a beer, or mixing a cocktail. You can savor the development and the complexities of wine from the first sip to the last, and each taste will be slightly different as the wine breathes and changes temperature. What a lovely impetus for enjoying an August evening. …

Leslie-Ann Sheppard is the owner of The Cellar, a creative wine and cheese shop on Surfside Road.