With August but days away, we’ll be signing off for some needed R & R for a few weeks – perhaps with the occasional insight or newsflash to whet your whistle until we get back into the full swing of things after Labor Day.

But we can’t NOT go out with Wicked splash first! Head over to Wicked Local today to find out about two more “Blanc” varietals you won’t want to miss this summer!  Giddy-up!

Which Chenin Blanc is your summer fav?

I always say “self awareness is half the battle”. In this case I am aware that there can be a distinct disadvantage to reporting all the wine news that’s fit to print on a Friday. By that point it’s likely you’ve seen the really good fodder – which is why I try to throw in wine events or nerdier stuff you may be less inclined to come across in your own wine reading. But this week there were two articles I came across that were just too good not to pass on to my readers; and there is always the chance you haven’t stumbled on these yet anyway. So here goes!

The Wine Rack. Seeing is believing! No doubt if this new item takes off there truly IS something for everyone - as gag gifts or otherwise! Check it out.

On a more serious note – and wicked cool – it turns out the oldest wine on the planet can actually be found on the bottom of the ocean. Who knew? Check out this old school Champagne – and then report back:

Do the descriptive terms they use to talk about what this wine tastes like really inspire your confidence in the “excellence” of the appraisal?

Two summers ago I put together a case of wine for a family gathering out on Block Island. I knew my sisters prefer their wines white in the summer – and as crisp and citrusy as they come (enticing labels never hurt either). Aiming to please, the case was filled with six bottles of white, two rosé and two reds. In that mix, a few were Sauvignon Blancs (the family “fan fav”) from different parts of the world and including a White Bordeaux (a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc and a little Semillon) and a little Chilean number. But my goal was also to expand their wine varietal horizons, and so I threw in a Pinot Blanc and two Chenin Blancs for good measure. I figured the “Blanc” would be familiar, but different, and peak their curiosity.

Discover “what the blanc?!” on Wicked Local today!

July is not a time to shy from bold red wines. Think about it: when the mercury rises as far as it has the last week plus, the last thing you want to do is turn on the oven. Instead you head out back to the grill. And what better accompaniment to a robust protein is there than a beefy red wine? Quite possibly… none. The key is to just get your beverage to the right temperature. Even if you can’t cool off, there’s no reason your wine shouldn’t! Give it a break from higher than desirable “room temp” by popping the bottle in your fridge for 20 minutes or so before uncorking it. No joke – you’re enjoyment, guaranteed, will be far superior! This month’s Wicked Wines will give you a few ideas to get you going. Check them out!

What’s your Go-To summer red?

What a rewarding surprise to find when you Google “Chablis” you are not taken to the homepage of Gallo, purveyors of a California white jug wine that is responsible for an overwhelming misconception of what Chablis actually is: a winemaking village in France’s well-regarded Burgundy region. And when you get down to the particulars of what the wine is, we’re talking about a refined, unoaked Chardonnay with a tremendous spine of minerality unique to the region itself.

Chardonnay? Yes. This, the world’s most recognized white wine grape, has its roots in Burgundy, no pun intended, where they focus on drawing out the natural flavors of the grape itself. On this July 4th weekend holiday, get ready to relish a bit of something super special! Pop over to Wicked Local to get the skinny on this special “take” on Chard.

When you hear “Chablis” what do you think of first?