102. That’s the temperature
outside as I write this issue’s ETFOFW.
The city of Austin has just implemented
mandatory water rationing. And while I
dream of fall, warm sweaters, and cozy
reds in front of crackling fires, I must
face the blistering fact that August and
September are still very summery and still
very hot. While Zinfandel is my desert
island wine (that is, if I could take
only one wine to the proverbial island,
it would be a Zinfandel), what I need
right now, and most likely will need well
into September, is a selection of crisp,
refreshing, and very chilled wines. And,
so, I bring you All chilled. All
under $10. And they better be easy to
find, because I’m not driving all
over town in this heat.
Cheers, chills, and see
you in October!
($8ish)
This dry, clean, and crisp Italian white
is more than a wine for me, it’s
an experience. I first tasted this cooling
elixir in a sidewalk café in Rome. Pop
the cork on this puppy, and I’m carried
away to another time and another place.
Lemony and refreshing. May I go again,
please? Thank you.
($8ish) This is one of my favorite keep-a-bottle-in-the-fridge
wines. Light, citrusy, and always ready
to roll with lightly sautéed fish and
crisp vegetables.
($7ish) A
recent Gold Medal Winner in the Dallas
Morning News Wine Competition. If it’s
been a while since you’ve done Chenin
Blanc, memories of a thin, simpering white
still haunting you, give it another try.
This is a light yet full-bodied wine that
is pleasantly fruity and imminently drinkable.
. ($9ish)
Yes, my dears, White Merlot. While it
has the pinkish look of a White Zin, do
not be fooled. Do not run screaming in
the other direction. This is not a cloying,
sweet wine. Rather, it is crisp and clean
with a nice raspberry zing. It pairs really
well with hot, spicy foods like barbeque
or fiery Asian. Picture bottles of this
wine cooling poolside in a big bucket
of ice. Picture me joining you. Picture
barbeque sauce dripping down my new white
shirt. Picture me not caring and pouring
another glass of wine.
To everyone who has sent me an ETFOFW
suggestion -- you rock! As for the rest
of you, what's the dealio? Let me know
about your favorite ETFOFW. Just drop
us a line at editor@wineskinny.com.
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