Cheers: Hot fun

In the summertime, wine lovers look for great “pool-and-porch” wines whose measure reveals elegance, simplicity and compatibility with our favorite hot-weather foods. This month’s wines provide a smooth backdrop for seasonal cuisine, especially cheese plates, grilled lean meats, spicy Asian dishes and Louisiana seafood. Best of all, they’re priced between $10 and $15 each, making them super values, given their relative complexity. “That’s the fun,” says Bill Hounshell, manager of the wine-centric Matherne’s Supermarket on Highland Road and longtime organizer of the grocery store’s beloved reservation-only wine dinners. “It’s easy to find a good, expensive wine. The challenge is finding something good at a great price.” Click here for some wines that fit the bill. —Maggie Heyn Richardson