Pick up these wines for a cookout

It’s patio season. Here are three delicious white wines, a “gris” (think rosé) made from a rare grape in the Loire Valley, and a juicy red from South Africa to accompany your weekend cookouts.

Howard Park, Miamup Chardonnay 2015

2.5 stars

Margaret River, Australia, $24

From a cool-climate area of Western Australia, this racy chardonnay has tons of fruit and well-integrated smoky oak flavors. Alcohol by volume: 13 percent.

Zonte’s Footstep, Excalibur Sauvignon Blanc 2016 2.5 stars

Adelaide Hills, Australia, $20

Rife with citrus flavor and refreshing acidity, this is a zesty sauvignon blanc. Enjoy it with seafood salad and other summery seafood dishes. ABV: 13 percent.

GREAT VALUE

Domaine des Herbauges, Eléon’Or 2016

2.5 stars

Loire Valley, France, $16 The grape behind this wine, grolleau gris, is a relatively obscure variety grown in the Loire Valley of France. It has a pale pink color, sort of like a pinot gris that’s left on the skins after pressing. The flavors are tree fruits and flowers, with medium body. It’s sort of like a rosé, but with a bit more heft. ABV: 11.5 percent.

GREAT VALUE

The Legend of Big Bill 2014

2 stars

Western Cape, South Africa, $11

The playful label of this red screams marketing, explaining how it is named for a famous boxer and the 22,000-liter oak vat named for him. But the wine, a blend of petit verdot, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz, is as sophisticated as it is fun, with juicy red and black fruit flavors. Try this with burgers, pizza or even a nice grilled steak. ABV: 14 percent.

Haut Marin, Les Fossiles 2016

1.5 stars

Cotes de Gascognes, France, $11

A bright, fresh white from southwestern France, this wine is ideal for patio sipping or with summer salads. ABV: 11.5 percent.

Three stars exceptional, two stars excellent, one star very good. Prices are approximate. Check Winesearcher. com to verify availability, or ask a favorite wine store to order through a distributor.