"In the summertime they definitely prefer a white wine. It's just much more lighter, crisper, cleaner," according to Fernando Olivira.
Consumer Reports just tested dozens of white wines - 22 Pinot Grigios and 16 Rieslings.
"Pinot Grigio is a fairly simple varietal. It's generally dry, and it's generally leaner and lighter than many other white wines," according to Paul Reynolds of Consumer Reports. Pinot Grigio is good with light pasta dishes or grilled fish. Rieslings can vary a lot.
"Drier Rieslings are quite versatile," Reynolds says, "and go well with everything from pork, veal, and scallops to milder cheeses." A sweeter Riesling can be a good dessert wine.
Consumer Reports taste testers found plenty of very good, inexpensive wines from which to choose. Of the Rieslings, the 2010 Hogue Late Harvest from The Hogue Cellars topped their ratings. It costs $10 a bottle.
For a Pinot Grigio, they say try the 2010 Black Swan Vineyards for $8 a bottle.
Another Pinot Grigio Consumer Reports rated very good is even less expensive. It's the Pinot Grigio Wine Cube 2010 from Target. Yep, it comes in a box. The cost is just $18 dollars for the equivalent of 4 regular bottles.
