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Wine Tue Jun 24 2014
Four Summer White Wines For Your Next Dinner Party
Sidewalk patios, strawberries and caprese salads are all things in the culinary spectrum that suggest summer has finally arrived, which is usually when the white wine comes back for an appearance. Outside of the usual prosecco and sangria, here are four reasonably priced whites to remind you that there's a world of wine outside of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
Can Feixes Blanc Selecció Parellada Blend 2012 
Grape: Blend of parellada and macabeo, commonly seen in Cava, chardonnay and an unusual grape called malvasía de sitges.
Tasting notes: Light minerality with pear, honeysuckle and white pepper
BYOB pairing: Thai
Make it yourself idea: Shrimp skewers with pineapple, vidalia onion and basil
Find it at: Vin Chicago, Binny's Lincoln Park, Whole Foods (Gold Coast/Kingsbury), $12-$17
Sigalas Assyrtiko Athiri Santorini 2013 
Grape: Blend of assyrtiko and athiri
Tasting notes: lime, grapefruit and high acid
BYOB pairing: Mediterranean/Italian
Make it yourself idea: Olive oil, prosciutto and pear flatbread
Find it at: Binny's Beverage Depot, Skokie, $15.99
Cave De Lugny Les Charmes Mâcon-Lugny Chardonnay 2010 
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
Tasting notes: steel aging gets rid of the traditional butter note, hints of apricot/stone fruit and citrus
BYOB pairing: Tapas
Make it yourself idea: Mussels linguine in a sherry sauce
Find it at: Vin De Garde Wine Merchant, $14
Martín Códax Albarino 2012 
Grape: Albarino
Tasting notes: pear and apple balanced with stone fruit; high acid
BYOB pairing: Sushi
Make it yourself idea: Salt crusted red snapper
Find it at: Binny's Beverage Depot, Whole Foods (Kingsbury), $15
