Find Summer Comfort Here -      Air Conditioning in A Bottle

With its red-as-a-wild-cherry-life-saver color, you'd expect this to be sweet, but it sure isn't! This isn't your grandmother's rosé either. Not by a mile. If there's anyone left who still sees pink and thinks sweet, this great rosé from the south of France proves 'em wrong. Château Grande Cassagne is located in the Costieres de Nimes, an area in the southern part of the Rhone Valley. This is a blend of 60% Syrah, 35% Grenache, and 5% Mourvedre, and is a stand-up example of why so much dry rose is consumed with the comfort food of the region. This is home. It's comfort.

Chill it, pull the chicken off the grill and have a comfortable evening. Particularly good with grilled fish.

CHATEAU GRANDE CASSAGNE ROSE 2009 $7.97 (save47% normal $14.95)

Take This To the Bank

A lot of us, pros and am's, dial back the weight of our reds when the heat and humidity take off. But it's not always some wimpy red that's left for Saturday's dinner. Pinot Noir to the rescue!

Pinot's natural lightness makes it a lot easier to enjoy when the numbers are in the 80s or above. But these days so many good Pinots cost $30 or more. Not Montoya. A solid Monterey Pinot grown in the shadow of some of California's giants of this variety, Montoya has been our go-to for 3-4 vintages.

Bank your savings and buy more Pinot!

MONTOYA PINOT NOIR 2009, Monterey $12.97 (save 28% normal $17.95)

This Wine Is Not a Dog!

Look it up. We did. A Pyrador is a breed of dog, a cross between a Great Pyrenees and a Labrador Retriever. But read on. Webster says a Pyrador is also one amazing Cabernet from the Alexander Valley. Well he would have, if he'd ever had a glass of this. (See note below about another great Alexander Valley Cabernet.)

Ripe fruit with endless finish and no hard shoulders define this easy-to-like Saint-Julien-styled red. Elegance bottled.

PYRADOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2005, Alexander Valley $12.97 (save 48% normal $24.95)

Sonoma Superstars

New wineries open every day in California. And Napa has the lock on the U.S. reputation for Chardonnay and Cabernet, but they're not cheap. We've tracked down these non-Napa superstars and are ecstatic to have them in the store.

Make Stix your house wines -- you'll be happy you did.

A much smoother Cabernet!

Ask anyone who's had Silver Oak Cabernet, and they'll tell you about the secret of Alexander Valley Cabernet.

The Stix has all the soft, silky elegance of a top-notch Cabernet, but at under $20 this is the insider's smart-buy choice.

With a medium-deep, plummy hue and a great juicy concentration of flavors, this is a Cabernet-drinker's wine.

STIX CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2007, Alexander Valley $17.97 (save 18% normal $21.95)

The Russian River Valley excels in Chardonnay! Stix Proves It

Here is California Chardonnay defined. A master class in ripe fruit, with subtle undertones of French oak. Winemaker Alison Crowe has outdone herself with this very pretty Sonoma classic. Plenty of ripe tropical undertones are supported by enough acidity and a hint of French oak.

The use of neutral oak barrels allows the fruit to shine through. Think about what Sonoma-Cutrer used to taste like, then congratulate yourself for saving so much and for being such a savvy shopper.

STIX CHARDONNAY 2007, Russian River Valley $17.97 (save 18% normal $21.95)

Leave it to the pros

Some wines make themselves. Others need a skilled winemaker. This old-new friend is a great example of why I respect what a talented enologist can do with a blend.

We used to carry this red years ago and were recently reacquainted. Once we tried it we were convinced. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Franc have never tasted so good in one glass. Columbia Valley has an established track record with the three Bordeaux varieties.

But Syrah's the relative newcomer and already a handful of wineries are making stunning Rhône-like reds. But the insiders know what Syrah does by adding depth and black pepper spice to Cabernet. Hurry, at this price, this will fly. (sterling)

MARYHILL WINEMAKERS RED 2008, Columbia Valley CAP $12.97 (normal $15.95)