Get yer Rhone On

2005 CDR Cotes du Rhone
This is a full-bodied, full-on Cotes du Rhone. Nothing watery about this. This is 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah, and it isn't a fancy wine, but it's a satisfying one. One note: it's best drunk in one fell swoop as it turns a bit sour after being open for a day.

Pinot Gris-yum

2006 Milbrandt Vineyards Traditions Pinto Gris, Washington State
Sometimes Pinot Gris can have a sour finish, but not this one! Milbrandt Vineyards has been producing grapes for years but just started making their own. Crisp and flavorful, this has lots of the fruit you'd expect -- peach, pear, and citrus -- with a hint of honey. Excellent with a pasta of peas and pancetta.

For Fans of Spanish Reds

2004 Montechillo Rioja Crianza
This is a quintessential Spanish red. Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes, it has a fair amount of fruit, but is dry and earthy. This wine is better when it has breathed, so open it in advance and/or decant it.

Tried and True

2005 Columbia Crest Two Vines Vinyard 10 Red Wine
This wine has become a darling among value-focused wine drinkers and this year it's a doozy. A blend of Syrah, Sangiovese, and Cab Sauvignon, this wine goes with steak, pasta, and anything grilled. What more can you ask of a wine?

The First Wonder White

Ironstone Vineyards 2001 "Obsession" California Symphony
This little number is perfect for lazy summer evenings (or days...whatever!). It's a lovely aperitif, but also pairs nicely with lighter fair, like Caesar salad and crab cakes. It's a bit sweet, but not annoyingly so. Never heard of the Symphony grape? You're not alone. It's one of the newfangled grapes created by UC Davis Professor Emeritus Harold Olmo. It's a cross between a Muscat of Alexandria and a Grenache Gris. Music to the mouth.

Wonder Wine #1

2006 Red Rock Winery Winemaker's Select Merlot, California
Plum, berry, a bit of earthiness thrown in for good measure. This wine has it all. Sip it on its own or pair it with chicken or sausages. It's just yummy.