2008 Domaine Wilfrid Rousse Rose' Chinon, France ($14.00)

This is a jovial wine from a very--very serious domaine in the Loire Valley of France. Annually since the late 1980's, they have been producing classy, long-lived wines. In each sniff I sense breed and nobility. Wait you ask, is it even possible to smell breed in a wine?! We think so. And it's just more entertaining to attach such adjectives to God's natural beverage. So while those eternal reds are shedding some baby fat in your cellar, try the ebullient rose' from Wilfred Rousse. This is a simple wine that offers abundant pleasure. All wine doesn't need to be nuanced and esoteric--how about juts plain good and delicious! We envision a cool bottle of the Wilfrid Rousse rose' next to a fresh summer salad. Try this: in a bowl, toss a few bunches of spicy arugula with freshly cut peaches, toasted pine nuts, shaved pecorino, and a pinch of homemade vinaigrette. Now that's living well on the cheap! Ahhhhhh.

2008 Di Giovanna Rosato Nerello Mascelese, Sicily, Italy ($16.0)

Where do you find shelter from the oppressive summer humidity? Well, one place we run for safety is in a cool glass of the Di Giovanna rosato from Sicily. Made with the Nerelllo Mascelese grape, this gulper(and that's what you will want to do when this beauty touches your tongue) is all you want in a summer quaff: it's direct, featherly, and makes a wonderful marriage by the pool or on the table. The wine is so drinkable and delicious that sometimes we want to eat it.

Serving Suggestions: Try this..... Grill up a swordfish steak....... While it's cooking over the coals, prepare a simple Mediterranean vinaigrette. In a bowl mix red wine vinegar, olive oil, capers, shallots, chopped parsley, and salt/pepper to taste. Once the Swordfish is complete, drizzle the sauce over top the steak and serve next to a few roasted peppers. Squirt a lemon over the dish, garnish with leftover parsley, and voila! Don't forget to tear yourself a nice chunk of bread in order to mop up the left over sauce. Simple. Affordable. Honest. And Healthy.

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2008 Cucao "PX" Elqui Valley, Chile ($12.00)

PX is short for Pedro Ximenez. No, Pedro is not an aged farmer living in the Chilean countryside, but rather, it's the grape variety found in the 2008 Cucao. The Perdo Ximenez grape is most often associated with the sticky sweet Sherry's of southern Spain. However, a different expression exists in the wild, arid region of Elqui Valley. Here, the Cucao estate produces a dry white with lip-smacking acidity and exhilarating aromas reminiscent of springtime. Hey, who doesn't love the smell of springtime?! The 2008 Cucuao 'PX'(the locals abbreviate) doesn't need food....just pop a bottle bottle in an ice bucket and imbibe its innocent charms with vigor and delight. There is a profound sense of joie de vivire one senses in each sip of the Cucao.

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2008 Chateau Graville- Lacoste, Graves, France ($19.00)

Graves is French for a gravelly terrain--and so you shouldn't be surprised that the vineyards of Graves, Bordeaux are slathered with rocks. Gravelly soil can imbue wonderful minerality and nuance into the wine. Such are qualities which we adore. White wine from Graves comes in two distinct styles: one version is drenched in new oak which can mask the soul of the terroir or place. Expression two is transparent, refreshing, and muscular......it's also terribly flexible at the table. We prefer the latter of the two. And so does Chateau Graville-Lacoste.

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2007 Senorio de Alange Tempranillo ($12.00)

Just arrived! This baby Tempranillo is not a wine for thinking or pondering. Instead, it’s what we like to call a,”GLUG-GLUG” red wine from southern Spain. Pour it in a tumbler, and vigorously slurp down its youthful spice. Here’s an idea: gather a few comrades, and situate a bottle next to a board of grilled lamb chops, marinated Spanish olives, and a generous chunk of Manchego. Now that’s good and simple living! Serve cool not cold.

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