There are hundreds of great wines out there that are perfect foils for the dog days of summer. Although there are about as many styles as there are bottles, a few common denominators exist when selecting a vino for the patio. Start with crisp acidity, throw in a low alcohol content and then mix vigorously with lighter fruit flavors. The end result is a racy wine that will delight the senses and dance across the taste buds instead of plodding along like a palate attached to an anchor.

Here are my top three white wines for beating the Lowcountry heat, as it approaches:

*A nice Gruner Veltliner from Austria is at the top of my list. Red hot in the international market right now, Grüner’s most alluring attribute is a layer of refreshing grapefruit and pepper over a light and crisp frame. Wonderful for all seafood dishes or just as a sipper out by the pool, Grüner-Veltliner will continue to carve out a niche in the U.S. white wine market.

*The Vinho Verdes from the Minho region of Portugal are very affordable and extremely refreshing. They are light, fresh, and intended for drinking within a year. At less than 1 bar of CO₂ pressure they do not quite qualify as semi-sparkling wines but do have a definite pétillance. The white Vinho Verde is very fresh, due to its natural acidity, with fruity and floral aromas, depending on the grape variety. Traditionally the wines are lemon- or straw-coloured, around 9-11% alcohol, and are made from local grape varieties that you probably have never heard of.

Argentina is known for great values and their great value wine in the white wine category is Torrontés. Torrontés is the traditional white grape from Argentina, and is rapidly gaining popularity here in the USA. This almost clear wine opens with a very inviting tropical fruit like nose. On the palate, this wine is lively, zingy, round, and displays tasty grapefruit and citrus like flavors. The finish is very refreshing and dry. This great bargain wine would pair nicely with seafood, and is one of my top summertime whites.

We have fine examples of all three of these wines available to you right here at your wine and spirit club, all in the ten dollar range. Give one a try today…………..Cheers