Summer wine picks
The most popular choice
New Age White/Rosé
Choose this soft, sweet and sensual wine from the vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina, and you’ll tell everyone about it. Whether you choose the white or pink version, its slight bubbliness is perfect for the patio or poolside. New Age is traditionally served on the rocks with a lime, called a “Tincho.” $9.99 per bottle
Best to drink with seafood
Broadbent Vinho Verde
A traditional Portuguese white wine with a natural “spritz,” its name translates to “green wine” because it is meant to be drunk young. The Vinho Verde is light and fresh with flavors of lime zest and green apple. $8.99 per bottle
Kurmisti Hondaribi Zuri
This Basque, Spain, wine is refreshing with fruit dominated characteristics. Its natural sparkle, high acidity and clean zesty finish is a perfect aperitif or complement to seafood. $11.99 per bottle
Hugues Beaulieu Picpoul de Pinet
Made in Languedoc, France, this “porch slammer” should be served extremely cold. It is also an ideal alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. This wine is light and dry with great minerality and hints of lemon and pear. $9.99 per bottle
To drink with smoked chicken or Brie cheese
Ephemere Apple (beer)
A wine lover’s beer, this award- winning brew by Unibroue out of Quebec drinks similar to semi-sweet champagne. It blends apples and coriander into white ale. $7.99 for a six-pack
To drink with seafood, fresh fruit or light, spreadable cheeses
Saintsbury Vin Gris
Rosés are often overlooked because they are perceived as sweet, but this is rarely the case. A perfect example of a true rosé, this Pinot Noir has a nose bursting with rose petals and delicate cherry and watermelon flavor balanced out with crisp acidity. Look for the rosé tower to explore the wonderful expressions of some of your favorite “red” grapes for a rejuvenating summer alternative. This one comes from a vineyard in Carneros, Ca. $14.99 per bottle
La Chard
This wine is a private label made for Grassroots of Alabama from one of their favorite winemakers, Alvaro Espinoza, out of the Central Valley in Chile. This Chardonnay is bio-dynamically farmed, night harvested and stainless steel- fermented to reveal the crisp, green apple characteristics of the grape. Unoaked is the way to go for a warm weather oasis. They also have a “La Pinot Noir” and sparkling “La Bubbly” available. $7.99 per bottle
Iris Pinot Gris
A mutation of Pinot Noir, this white wine made in Oregon is flowery with tropical hints of mango and papaya and a crisp clean finish. It is similar to Pinot Grigio, but has a more robust and floral style and is velvety and complex. $11.99 per bottle
Piggly Wiggly in Homewood offers complimentary craft beer tastings on Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. and complimentary wine tastings Fridays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Homewood’s Piggly Wiggly is located at 3000 Montgomery Highway. Call 451.6911 or visit www.pigglywigglybirmingham.com or facebook “Piggly Wiggly Homewood” for more information.