Sure Fire Summer Wine Recommendations... by Bill Belkin, Wines & Spirits Category Manager

If you're looking for a great summer wine, here are my sure fire summer picks:

Sokol Blosser Evolution – A summer quaffer loaded with fresh fruit and a hint of sweetness. Easy to drink on the boat, the deck or anywhere. Pairs great with spicier fare – even BBQ’d meats!

Lion’s Drift Pinotage – With all eyes on South Africa for the World Cup, all palates should be on high alert for this medium-bodied, red stunner. Pinotage is a hybrid of Pinot Noir and Cinsault and it is deliciously spicy without being heavy.

Beso Vino Wines – Hailing from Spain these wines are from import guru Steve Miles and they rock! Garnacha, Rose’, a crazy good white called Macabeo (white Rioja for the uninitiated) and a great little red blend. These can be mixed up and bought by the case!

Loring Central Coast Pinot Noir – He’s baaaaaack!! After too long away, Brian Loring, a maestro of the vineyard, is back with his single vineyard Pinot Noirs. Wine Spectator gives all of them 90+ points.

Pratsch Gruner Veltliner – Talk about a Gucci wine of moment on the tip of every wine writers tongue! This is 100 percent biodynamically farmed (the best you can get). NO OAK, delicious Gruner in a one liter bottle! Crisp, clean and dry – you will buy this over and over again. Trust me on this one if you have never had this varietal.

Volver Tempranillo – Parker gave this a 90 and I think he was stingy by a point or two. This is what everyone wants from Rioja! Great depth, fruit balanced with the acids, a long finish, and an affinity for food that allows you to serve this gem with appetizers or the main course. Cool label too, and I give extra points for that!