Once again, spring is upon us. Trees are starting to bud, and the sounds of birds fill the air. The advent of spring also heralds in the beginning of Washington’s heat and humidity. They may dominate most discussions, but they don’t need to ruin your day or evening. In this article, we are going to hit on some delicious wines perfect for spring and summertime drinking. Wines with refreshing acidity, fruit and just the right chill will make even the hottest day quite a bit more pleasant.

Rosés
Everyone has probably read about, and possibly joined the movement, towards the lovely dry rosés being produced in the south of France. Rosés can be made with any red grape, but the mainstay of dry rosé is the grenache grape produced in the southern France regions of Languedoc and Roussillon. These are the traditional dry rosés that are just perfect for outdoor dining while watching the world go by. These rosés pride themselves on their beautiful, light pink color and refreshing, crisp acidity and strawberry flavors. Look for super fresh 2007’s which are just arriving on our shelves, but don’t miss out on the lovely 2006’s that are heavily discounted and still delicious. Buy them up at these prices while they last!

Not to leave out other great rosé producing countries, you will also find offerings from California and Australia. These rosés, usually syrah (shiraz), are produced by leaving the skins of the grapes in contact with the free run juice just long enough to give it a brilliant salmon to dark rose color. The rosés from France seem slightly more restrained than these dry rosés from the new world, which flaunt their vibrant, rich, spicy, berry and cherry fruits. These will be the hit of any rosé fan’s cookout.

Chateau du Donjon 2006 ($9)
Hailing from the Minervois region, a smaller appellation within the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, it offers ripe berry fruits with a clean acidity. A very refreshing wine.

Commanderie de la Bargemone 2006 ($10)
Another small area from Southern France is Coteaux d’Aix en Provence. This area is famous for producing lovely rosés with tart strawberry fruit and a hint of their famous Herbes de Provence. Relax with this wine outside on its own or with cheese and fruit.

Margan Shiraz Saignee 2007 ($15)
This Hunter Valley estate-grown rosé boasts loads of ripe berry fruit. The Saignee method, which bleeds off extra juice from the red wine thus creating a rosé, produces a wine with bigger structure and loads of fruit.

McClean Vineyards Syrah Rosé 2006 ($18)
The fact that this wine is produced in Paso Robles, California, should be a dead giveaway as to its weight, ripeness and richness. Also made by the Saignee method, it has beautiful acidity with cranberry and raspberry fruits. This is a great food rosé!

Sauvignon blanc is now planted in nearly every single wine growing country. This doesn’t always mean that sauvignon blanc vines produce great wines everywhere. The classic old world regions for sauvignon blanc are Bordeaux and the Loire Valley in France. Outside of France, New Zealand has had the best luck with the grape, winning many awards while developing a new flavor profile of sauvignon blanc. Other countries that have followed suit are the United States, Chile, Argentina, South Africa and Australia to name but a few. France aficionados praise their sauvignon blanc for the fresh acidity, mineral, lemon and lime citrus flavors and of course, terroir. New Zealand produces wines with huge grapefruit, subdued herbaceousness and tropical fruit aromas and flavors that became an instant hit. Whatever style you prefer, there is a ton to choose from on the shelves at Schneider’s.

D’arenberg The Broken Fishplate Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($8)
Produced by one of our favorite Aussie wineries, it offers up loads of grapefruit and fresh grassy tones. This is the ultimate salad wine.

Kumkani Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($12)
A lovely sauvignon blanc from South Africa, this delicious wine has expressive fresh aromas of ripe figs, grass and Cape gooseberry. With a rich mid-palate and long fresh finish, it should accompany you on your summer’s day picnic. Serve it with smoked salmon and cream cheese, salad, paté and roast chicken.

Croney Three Ton 2007 ($14)
A truly great New Zealand sauvignon blanc harvested at only three tons of grapes per acre. The average Napa wine is harvested at seven to nine tons per acre. Zesty lime and crisp acidity make this wine a true winner for summer. We are good friends with the winemaker and buy a lot of his wines. This is a great price; buy a case to stock up for the hot weather.

Valdivieso Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2005 ($13)
This goes to show you that Chile can make some great whites! Tropical and rich, its 12 months of oak aging gives impressive richness. This wine will stand up to heavier dishes such as grilled fish and pork.

Domaine de Rome Sancerre 2006 ($20)
Sancerre, to me, is the classic sauvignon blanc. Hints of flinty mineral and classic sauvignon fruit in the nose is followed buy lemon zest, lime and crisp, mineral terroir. Fresh and crisp this will breath life into any calamari dish, fried or grilled.

Some people may turn their heads at pinot grigio and opt for its more sophisticated older brother pinot gris. Why does that need to be? Pinot grigio definitely has its place at outdoor dinner parties on the patio. The pinot gris grape is planted in many countries and labeled pinot grigio in The US, Chile and Argentina; I am going to focus on Italian pinot grigio.

The Veneto has long been a catchall for mass produced pinot grigio of indistinguishable characteristics. When a consumer approaches a wine shop with a wide range of Pinot Grigio, without friendly knowledgeable staff or shelf talkers, they usually have to wade through a sea of bland, boring wine. We take the wading out of it by tasting many but only selling the best for the price. Once you move out of the Veneto and into the northern regions of Italy, pinot grigio takes on a new personality. The regions of Alto Adige, Friuli and Colli Orientali del Friuli are home to the best pinot grigio producers in all of Italy. These mountainous regions are much cooler in temperature than the Veneto creating crisp acidity and complex mineral flavors. We have some offering from both the Veneto and the northern regions that we are really happy to offer to you for your spring and summer drinking pleasure.

Geretto Pinot Grigio 2006 ($12)
This is a straight forward, fun loving pinot grigio from the Veneto. Lovely pear and apple fruit in the nose leads to balanced flavors and a nice acidity in the finish. Bargain priced for summer enjoyment. Also available in Magnums for $17.99.

Tomaiolo Pinot Grigio 2006 ($11)
A true diamond in the rough. Great, crisp, clean acidity with bright apple fruit. Lovely on its own or as a start to a delicious meal.

St. Pauls Pinot Grigio Exclusiv 2006 ($20)
Alto Adige makes some of the finest pinot grigio out there. The St. Paul keeps that promise. Complex mineral and green apple fruit with a hint of dried herbs lead to full flavors and a long finish. This fuller-bodied pinot is a sure thing with shrimp dishes.

Rocca Bernarda Pinot Grigio ($18)
Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC directly borders the country of Slovenia. It is a small area of which many are not familiar. When we found this wine we knew we just had to have it for you this summer. Very floral on the nose with peach highlights and rich, complex flavors.

Hot stifling weather is no fun, but these wines should help negate the effects of our typical DC summers. Stock up on these summer pleasers, and you won’t be caught off guard when guests arrive.