### Cool Wines for Dog Days 
In recent weeks, I've been swirling and spitting 2008 Bordeaux and 2006 Brunellos (no complaints, mind you).&nbsp; On the other hand, here's what I'll be swallowing during the dog days of summer at Chateau Tanzer:&nbsp; wines that cover just about any warm-weather contingency and rarely break the bank.  
  
**Txakoli.** &nbsp; The labels may be written in Martian (actually Basque), but these lightly fizzy, spicy, tangy whites (there's also a scarce rose version and even a few reds) are as thirst-quenching as a gin and tonic after a couple sets of tennis.&nbsp; Txakoli is addictive as an aperitif or perfect with fresh shellfish.  
  
**Unoaked sauvignon blanc** from the Loire Valley, or pungent alternatives from New Zealand or South Africa.&nbsp; Racy, citrussy, dry and brisk, often with complicating mineral, floral and herbal nuances.&nbsp; Great with vegetables (even asparagus and artichokes!), salads or goat cheeses, or with simply prepared fish.  
  
**Chablis.** &nbsp; These vibrant wines are so subtle, incisive and minerally you'd swear you weren't drinking chardonnay--and they're way cheaper than their cousins from the Cote d'Or.&nbsp; Plain village wines from top producers can be terrific values.  
  
**Rosé.** &nbsp; Pale-colored versions tend to be dry and racy, even austere, with more subtle minerality than easy fruit.&nbsp; Use these wines like brisk whites, served chilled as an aperitif or with simple snacks, grilled vegetables or grilled fish in olive oil and light pastas.&nbsp; Or select more deeply colored, suppler examples from warmer regions (especially Spain or the New World).&nbsp; With their distinct red fruit notes they can take the place of light reds, alongside fried and grilled chicken or richer fish dishes.  
  
**Beaujolais.** &nbsp; The fleshy, ripe and wildly popular 2009s have mostly been snapped up by now, but the vibrant, intensely fruity 2010s offer a more classic Beaujolais experience for purists.&nbsp; Drink them chilled on their own, or with grilled burgers and sausages.  
  
**Southern French reds _sans_ pretention.** &nbsp; These aggressively priced, immediately accessible wines, especially when they're heavily based on grenache, cinsault and carignane, are downright gulpable in the warm months when they're lightly chilled (see Beaujolais above).&nbsp; Serve them with lamb or steak on the barbie.  
  
**Light, young pinot noir.** &nbsp; Whether from our own West Coast, New Zealand or Burgundy, young, sappy pinot noir is the universal solvent at the dinner table.&nbsp; Like a gift check at graduation, pinot is never inappropriate.

Cool Wines for Dog Days

Cool Wines for Dog Days (Jul 2011)

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