We’ve got a couple of requirements for wine on a summer afternoon: cold, refreshing, unfussy and in our glass.  As the day winds down We’re not interested in seeing how a wine’s “bouquet matures”.  We’re more concerned with seeing how it helps a great afternoon mature into a great evening.

Although, Barefoot Wines are fairly commonplace and have a loyal following we’d never tasted one.  For whatever reason the big footprint on the label always struck us as being a bit tacky.  This plus the relatively cheap price combined to convince us this wine wasn’t worth our time.  Recently though We’d had a number of people independently recommend a Barefoot wine and when we saw Safeway (aka Vons) had it on sale for a super cheap $5.50 (regularly $7.50) We decided to take the plunge.  The reward was a delicious glass of Pinot Grigio which embodies everything we look for in a summer wine.  A light acidity cut through the summer heat, delivering cool hints of honey and lemon and perhaps some green apple.  Suddenly, I found myself energized enough to leap from my chair, stride boldly across the patio, take hold of the lawnmower and fling it out of the way as I called loudly into the house for someone to refill my glass immediately!

p.s.  Turns out Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher, wine columnists at the Wall Street Journal, agree with our recommendation.  The Barefoot Pinot Grigio was featured in a recent column.  You can read it here.

Cabernet Sauvignons (from “Burgers and Red Wine for July Fourth” by Laurie Woolever at Wine Spectator)

COLUMBIA CREST Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley Grand Estates $11
CHATEAU STE. MICHELLE Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley $16
RANCHO ZABACO Cabernet Sauvignon California Dancing Bull Winemaker’s Reserve $12
BOGLE Cabernet Sauvignon California $11

Two White Options (from “Cooking Up a Fourth of July Feast” by Laurie Woolever at Wine Spectator)
HOGUE Pinot Grigio Columbia Valley $9
GEYSER PEAK Sauvignon Blanc California $12