As the weather turns warm and I start thinking a lot more about heirloom tomatoes than hearty winter roasts, my palate also turns to lighter wine varieties. Sure, I'll still enjoy my Zins, Cabernets and big, busty California Chards. But, generally speaking, as the temperatures soar and the cuisine in my kitchen lightens up - more salads, sushi, cold soups and such - I want wines that are a bit lower in alcohol and a little lighter on the tongue than the bruising wines of winter.
As an accompaniment for salads and seafood - even sushi - Sauvignon Blanc is always a good option. And one that I frequently lean on when I'm in the market for crisp, fruity Sauvignon Blanc is Seaglass ($12.99), from Santa Barbara County.
This is a solid and dependable Saugivnon Blanc, with seaglass - the kind you might stumble upon during a walk on a Santa Barbara beach - depicted on the bottle label. Grapefruit, lime and lemon aromas mingle with traditional Sauvignon Blanc gooseberry flavors to create a crisp, tart wine that pairs beautifully with crab cakes.
While it normally sells here in Utah for $12.99, it's on sale this month for $9.99, so stock up for summer.