Refreshing wines to help beat the heat.

There is no doubt we are in the heat of summer.

And hot humid weather calls for refreshing wines.

Gamay, the grape used to make Beaujolais, is a favorite red option for summer temperatures. It’s a light-bodied red that has aromas of summer flowers and freshpicked berries. Beaujolais wines are ideal for your summer picnic with cured meats, cheeses and dips.

Primitivo is the genetic twin of zinfandel. It is a high-alcohol fuller-bodied wine with high acidity. This grape is an ideal partner for almost every menu item you will throw on the grill during the summer.

Rose wines are always a summer favorite. The zesty fruit forward style gives the red wine drinker a refreshing choice. Rose wines give the subtle structure of a red wine but the refreshing style of a chilled white wine.

Gewurztraminer always offers the complex rosy aromatic style ideal for a summer cool-off. Because wines made from this grape are generally low in alcohol, gewurztraminer is a good choice for summer sipping.

Picpoul is a wine lover’s dream for a summer staple. Its budget-friendly price tag and mouthwatering acidity make this wine a top white wine choice when the temperature soars.

Gruner Veltliner may be unfamiliar to many wine drinkers but it’s a delicious alternative to sauvignon blanc. It is packed with citrus, white pepper and racing acidity.

THE VALUES

2016 Louis Jadot Beaujolais, France (about $15 retail)

2016 Antico Sigillo Primitivo di Manduria, Italy (about $14 retail)

2017 Los Vascos Rose, Chile (about $13 retail)

2016 Chateau Ste. Michelle Gewurztraminer, Washington (about $13 retail)

2016 Picpoul de Pinet, France (about $12 retail)

2016 Raptor Ridge Gruner Veltliner, Oregon (about $19 retail)