White Wines

Not familiar with Greek wines? Here's a remarkable wine to start with: 2010 Lyrarakis Dafni. This bottle by Lyrarakis is made entirely from a rare Cretan grape called Dafni that, just a few decades ago, was on the brink of extinction.

The varietal is named after the word daphne, which refers to the laurel plant that's prized for its bay leaves, and for good reason. A first sniff reveals layers of complex botanical flavors, ranging widely from juniper to eucalyptus, spearmint, and — dare I say? — laurel leaves. This bouquet's followed by a rich, long-lasting finish with a nice amount of acidity.

For less than $15 retail, it's hard to believe a wine can leave such an indelible impression. If you're looking for a white that tastes unlike anything you've experienced, this is it. Which whites are among the most memorable that you've ever had?

San Francisco's recent heat wave has left me craving nothing but cold, crisp, bone-dry whites. My recent favorite? The 2009 vintage of Pedro Escudero's Valdelainos Verdejo. If you're a big Sauvignon Blanc drinker, give Spanish Verdejo a try. I promise you won't regret sipping the lesser-known varietal.

This particular wine had a pale yellow-green appearance that reinforced its lemony, flinty nature. The practically weightless wine had splendid aromas of citrus, cantaloupe, and honey. It paired wonderfully with a cup of briny red clam chowder, but was just as easy to enjoy alone. You can find this vintage at Spanish specialty stores, online, or through the Williams-Sonoma wine club. For $13.50, it's a tremendous steal. Have you tried Verdejo?

If you've ever walked down a store's wine aisle, chances are, you've caught sight of a few of the fun-loving, colorful labels from Big House Wines. That's what happened to me, at least — and I've been drinking the winery's Big House Red ever since.

This past week, I had the chance to chat with Georgetta Dane, the head winemaker behind the eclectic, prison-themed wine label. Over lunch, she poured me the — pardon the pun — entire lineup of offerings. She started with one of the company's bestselling wines, the Big House White ($8).

Big House White is a blend of about 10 varietals, including Viognier, Malvasia, Muscat, Gruner Veltliner, Pinot Grigio, and Gewürtztraminer. Many of those grapes are highly aromatic, which makes drinking this patio wine a bit like inhaling a nuanced bouquet of potpourri: It's very floral and perfumed, with a light stone fruit finish.

I thought this wine was so perfect for Summer that I picked it up a few days later when shopping at Whole Foods — and was reminded of the ridiculously reasonable price tag! Have you ever tried Big House White, or any of the label's wines?

I have a confession to make, and I'll be blaming this one on the frosty pitcher: I've been much more into punch cocktails this Summer, and a lot less into wine. I was a little worried the phase might take a while to pass — but then I tried Kruger-Rumpf's Riesling Kabinett ($18).

This wine comes from the Lower Nahe region of Germany, a wine-producing area that's best known for its Riesling. And a wonderful Riesling this is. It begins with hints of petrol and pear, but midway through I detected very floral notes of rose. And while it starts on the dry side, a sip ends with a very sweet, yet tart finish.

In a seemingly impossible feat, I didn't finish the entire bottle in one sitting, and the screwcap kept the wine in very drinkable condition — even after several days. Have you ever had Kruger-Rumpf? What's your favorite Riesling?

Whether it's Spain or the Netherlands taking top prize this Sunday, the World Cup will undoubtedly end with a spectacular bang, not a whimper. To ensure you have fun as a spectator — regardless of whether or not your team wins — have some solid South African wine in your drinking glass.

Since it's so hot outside, I'd skip the red wine in favor of a white that the country produces quite well: Chenin Blanc. Often known there by the name of Steen, this variety has a reputation for being bland, flabby, or sweet — but not when it's done right, as it often is in South Africa.

Recently, I tried an accessible version by Mulderbosch, one of the most notable wineries in the nation.

It was dry, but not bone-dry, with pleasant notes of lemon and lime, and a nice amount of body. On the nose, it smelled exactly like jalapeños, in a pleasantly smoky way. And for well under $20, I consider it to be a spectacular value. What South African wines are you drinking in celebration of the World Cup?

If you want to feel the World Cup fever in a crowded bar, chances are, you have your pick of rowdy pubs to choose from. But if you're looking for a more refined way to watch the game, here's my suggestion. Settle in with an exquisite bottle of Cape Chardonnay. At a recent tasting, Jardiniere wine director Eugenio Jardim introduced me to 2008 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay ($24), and I haven't stopped thinking about it ever since.It's a rich, nuanced Old World-style Chardonnay with a ripeness that sings of pears and apples. The complex flavors can be largely attributed to the southerly, cool Walker Bay situation of the Hamilton Russell estate, and owner Anthony Hamilton Russell's fastidious winemaking practices. All of the grapes are grown and bottled on premises. Why buy a white Burgundy when you can nab something just as extraordinary for a fraction of the price?

I'll be reaching for this even after the World Cup closes. Have you ever tried a Cape Chardonnay?

Last month, I was floored by the drinkability of Babich's 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, and I've been obsessed with Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs ever since. Marlborough is New Zealand's premiere region for the grape; the sunny, cool, maritime climate is ideal for producing crisp, herbal wines.

A grocer at Trader Joe's recommended Kim Crawford to me, calling it "the standard" for New Zealand Sauv Blanc, and I have to agree with her. Its innocent straw color is deceptive; one sip reveals an intense, concentrated wine with grass, green apple, pear, and guava notes. The finish is off-dry, but leaves a memorable, lingering acidity at the back of the tongue.

For $15, an everyday white doesn't get much better than this. Have you ever tried Kim Crawford? What's your go-to white?

At a Portugese wine event I attended earlier this week, the very first drink I enjoyed, Aliança Vinho Verde ($9), was one of my favorites. "I call it my boating wine," the distributor said to me as he poured me a glass, "because it's so very easy to drink."

Easy to drink indeed. The nonvintage nine percent alcohol Vinho Verde wine — a blend of Azal, Pedernã, Trajadura, and Loureiro grapes — was so light in color it almost looked like water in a glass. At first sip it was crisp, almost weightless in body, and ever-so-slightly effervescent, with an apple-pear bouquet and a medium-dry finish. It was delightful on its own, but would've been even better with some grilled Spring vegetables and seafood at a sun-filled picnic. What's your favorite warm-weather wine?

Last Monday, I went out for dinner at a nearby restaurant. As luck would have it, all the wines were half off, so we asked our server to pick something for us. Her choice? A 2009 Babich Sauvignon Blanc, from the Marlborough Region of New Zealand.

I was surprised anything so young could be this good. It smelled like passionfruit, with a hint of guava, and on first sip, was slightly effervescent yet creamy at the same time. It ended with a tart finish. As time passed, notes of pear seemed to take over on the nose and the front of the palate.

I love wines that evolve right before my eyes as I'm drinking them. Have you ever had a similar experience?