WINE

Summer wines: 6 whites that won't break the bank

Mark Tarbell
Special for The Republic

As the mercury rises, so does the need for the wines of summer. Our palates scream for cool and refreshing wines. Wines made with Chardonnay offer some of the widest range of styles.

Summer white wines that will break the heat but not the bank.

"ABC" (Anything But Chardonnay) was the call to arms for awhile. But Chardonnays are vastly different from region to region and country to country. Add to this how receptive they are to the imprint a winemaker puts on them, and a person could spend years tasting them and never be bored. The two Chardonnays highlighted this month are vastly different in style.

Summer is also the time to wander off the beaten path. Rieslings are as versatile as Chardonnays, and wines made with grapes like Grüner Veltliner, Marsanne, Roussanne and Malvasia really start to make sense when you're looking for great value and interesting experiences.

Stay cool and enjoy.

  • 2012 "Lois" Fred Loimer Grüner Veltliner, Austria ($15-$17): Grüners are probably one of the great warm-weather whites. They vary in style, weight and complexity but always deliver as a light refresher. This wine from Fred Loimer is crisp, light and balanced and a real Pinot Grigio crusher. 87 points.

  • 2013 Honoro Vera White, Rueda, Spain ($10-$14): Cool label graphics and a well-made wine lead to a lip-smacking good value. The light citrus and mild minerality make this a perfect summer sipper. 85 points.

  • 2011 Iron Horse "Unoaked" Chardonnay, Green Valley, Sonoma, Calif. ($18-$21): This is one of the best examples of unoaked Chardonnay from California. Iron Horse has been able to coax out a level of richness and weight that is often missing from stainless steel-aged Chardonnay. The lovely and natural butta is nicely balanced by the famous Green Valley natural acidity, leaving us with a perfect spring/summer Chardonnay that loves to be paired with food. 90 points.

  • 2012 Fender Chardonnay, Sonoma County, Calif. ($19-$23): Love the guitars and amps, didn't know what to expect from this newest venture. The Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Zinfandel are the standouts. The Chardonnay is from Sonoma and has all the full, fruit-forward qualities Sonoma is known for. The balance of judicious oak and artful winemaking make this wine sing. It's a great sleeper pull for your next party and will bring a smile to the crowd. 88 points.

  • 2013 Cass Flying Nymph Roussanne/Marsanne, Paso Robles, Calif. ($17-$19): Cass is one of the really serious vineyards in Paso Robles. There is so much heart and soul in these wines, up and down the line. Expect wines that are restrained, balanced and more Euro in style. These are not fruit bombs. The Flying Nymph offers one of the finest examples of these two classic Rhone white varietals. They have a haunting fullness and are well rounded but with the benefit of good structure. 89 points.

  • 2012 Merkin Vineyards "Shinola Bianca," Malvasia/Moscato from New Mexico fruit, Cochise County ($22-$24): Malvasia does particularly well in the hands of MJ Keenan. I love the expressive aromas, bright structure and balanced finish. The addition of a small amount of Moscato heightens the floral and fruit character and gives the wine a light, playful quality. I see great things from this white grape now and in the future for the great Southwest. 90 points.

Mark Tarbell owns Tarbell's, the Tavern and the Wine Store in Phoenix. Reach him at wine@tarbells.com.