Dr. Konstantin Frank 2008 Finger Lakes Rkatsiteli

In July, I tasted the 2006 vintage.

Very pale color, petillant immediately after pouring.

Apple, peach, pineapple smells.

Apple and pineapple flavors, hints of ripe peach, somewhat petillant. Benefits from being served 5-10° (Fahrenheit) warmer than is your habit for whites.

Very good medium-bodied bottle for $18.67.

Pierre Morey 2007 Bourgogne Aligote

Very pale burnished gold color.

Mild apple smell.

Tart apple flavor, no noticeable oak. Might work well with sea-food.

Aligote is the other white grape of Burgundy and this wine does little to dispell the common thought that it makes thin acid wine best suited to making kir.

Overpriced inoffensive light-bodied bottle for $24.99.

Arnaldo Caprai 2008 Grecchetto dei Colli Martani Grecante

Medium straw color.

Rather full smell of honey, apple, melon.

Flavors of apple and melon, honeyed texture.

Very good medium-bodied bottle for $18.99. The last decade or so has seen some amazing advances among Italian whites.

Trentadue 2004 North Coast Petite Sirah

Very dark, opaque, purple color. In the commonplace observation, tooth-staining. Sediment deposits in the bottle and in the wine that are noticeable to the eye, not to the tongue.

Prune, plum, blackberry, and oak smells.

Dry prune and blackberry flavor, dense and dark-tasting, oak is restrained. Tannins get chewy at the end.

Very good full-bodied bottle for $21.99.

Jules 2008 Columbia Valley Washington Viognier

Extremely pale color.

Mild apple smell, no off smells, not much of anything.

Mild fruit flavor, apple and melon. Lemony finish.

Disappointing light-bodied bottle for $17.99. The lemony finish is the only virtue that makes the bottle worth finishing.

Domaine Patrick Miolane 2005 Bourgogne Pinot Noir

Medium-dark red color.

Plum and peach! smells, mild scent of leather.

Plum and cherry flavors, elegant mineral finish.

Very good medium-bodied bottle for $19.99.

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2008 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling

Very pale straw color.

Sweet-smelling, honeysuckle, peach, key lime pie.

Dry fruit flavor, pear, peach, honeydew, citrus zest.

Excellent medium-bodied bottle for $17.73.

Finca Coronado 2004 Vino de la Tierra de Castilla

Dark purple color, petillant in the glass after opening the bottle, but soon blows off.

Plum and black cherry smells, medium oak, fruit dominates.

Fruity plum and black cherry flavors, food-friendly finish, I found it to work well with low-end deli cheese and with junk-food burritos.

Good medium-bodied bottle for $19.99.

Marc Hebrart non-vintage Brut Selection Premier Cru Champagne

Disgorged 7/30/2007.

Extremely pale color, many streams of pinpoint bubbles.

Freshly-risen bread dough smell, wildflowers, a bit of peach.

Taste of pear, peaches, toast. A classic austere style.

Very good medium-bodied bottle for $42.05.

Kellerei-Cantina Terlan 2008 Alto Adige Pinot Bianco

Pale straw color, petillant.

Citrus smells, pear, floral.

Orange, tangerine flavors, pear.

Very good medium-bodied bottle for $21.99. Benefits being served warmer than you may be used to for whites.