From our favorite sommelier...

Hurray for the cooler, less humid weather today ; we need it to better enjoy our summer in the DC metropolitan area. I liked the article in the Washington Post today about shade and how it provides the only relief for us all when we are outside and the sun is unrelenting as it beats down constantly on us. FIND ME SOME SHADE QUICKLY. However, today is a kinder, gentler sun day and I hope that you will all find time to enjoy being outside some, reading a book, chatting, listening to a live concert at Wolf Trap, listening to some of the hundreds of your ALL-TIME songs you've recorded on your i-Pod ; and OF COURSE , sipping a glass of chilled wine - white, rose or red. What a lovely idea, some crudités purchased at Brookville or ordered TAKE-OUT from Lavendou, a blanket spread out under the shade for you, your toes occasionally creeping beyond it's edge to the cool comfort of the green grass...close your eyes now, fix the scenario that most suits you and don't forget to make it a reality some time today!

POUILLY FUME 2001 "La Rambarde" Sauvignon Blanc. fully mature and evolved in its flavors
2003 DOMAINE GRAND VENEUR CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. lush and forward, glides seamlessly through you, regaling, cajoling,amusing you...
POPPIANO'S VIN SANTO. from Conte Ferdinando GUICCIARDINI...

Aligote

Aligote. the poor person's chardonnay from Burgundy, France.

What. Aligote used to be planted in Burgundy years ago to use when making a kir (crème de cassis and aligote blended together). They don't plant much of it anymore in Burgundy because they get so much more money back by planting Chardonnay vines ( the existing Aligote vines are old and make some really good wine.

Who. Tripoz in the small town of Loche (near Macon) produces some pretty lush, bright and seductive Aligote.

Flavor. This wine has just enough of everything in balance, including some refreshing acidity to satisfactorily close the flavors and fix them in your head. This is a really good white burgundy that works as well by itself as it does with food.