Concha Y Toro Explorador 2009 (about $10): Nuances of black cherry, currant, and berry with a touch of vanilla on the finish highlight this enjoyable wine from Chile.

This wine isn’t going to blow you away, but hey, for only ten bucks, it’s not too bad. I paired it with a bacon and mushroom pizza and it held up nicely with tannins that are prevelant but not overwhelming.

Looking for a nice white wine this summer? Pinot gris makes an excellent choice.

Pinot gris thrives in cooler climates and it’s found in nearly all of the world’s major grape growing countries including the Loire Valley and Alsace regions of France, Italy (where it’s referred to as pinot grigio), New Zealand, the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, and the United States – particularly Oregon, Washington, and California’s coastal regions.

Domestic pinot gris generally falls in the medium-bodied category, but both lighter and more full-bodied European versions of this versatile wine are also easy to find.

Flavor characteristics include peach, pear, melon, kiwi, green apple, and citrus, and these are frequently coupled with a fairly high level of acidity. Although it can be sweet, the wine is usually made in a drier style, which results in a refreshing finish that’s crisp and clean.

Another appealing feature is the wine’s affordable price. Something in the $10 to $20 a bottle price range should provide you with a really nice wine, and occasionally you’ll find a hidden gem for under $10 a bottle that is just as comparable.

Lighter, summertime meals naturally lend themselves to pairing with pinot gris. Almost any kind of seafood should match up nicely, including scallops, mussels, clams, shrimp, snapper or halibut. Accompanying cream or butter sauces also add a nice touch and you’ll find that the wine’s acidity will cut through the sauce, allowing you to taste both the food and the wine.

A few other good food pairing choices include lighter pasta salads, roasted chicken, artichokes, and soft, creamy cheeses. And a well-chilled glass of pinot gris served simply on its own also makes a perfect sipping wine on a warm summer day.

Next week I’ll offer several suggestions of pinot gris that are especially enjoyable this time of year.

John Powers, owner and winemaker of Bellingham’s Chuckanut Ridge Wine Company, passed away unexpectedly on July 30.

I’m not exactly sure how or when I met John, but it was most likely through my dad, who occasionally golfed with him at Skagit Golf and Country Club in Burlington.

I recall my dad mentioning that John had started up a winery and that it might be worth checking out. The tasting room, located near the south end of Chuckanut Drive, was literally a hole-in-the-wall facility, but after visiting there a couple of times and seeing great potential in his wines, I remember thinking to myself, “this guy is really on to something”.

In 2007, John and co-owner/winemaker Michael Burnett moved the tasting room to State Street in downtown Bellingham. By then, the duo’s signature wine, a red wine blend known as “Bad Bunny” had become a recognizable, consistently good label on the shelves of local grocers and wine shops.

In addition to exposing both countless newbies and well-seasoned enthusiasts to premium Washington wines, the downtown tasting room evolved into a respected venue for local musicians and a prime location for gatherings and parties. The facility served as the site of my 50th birthday nearly two years ago, and John and his significant other, Jennifer, were on hand to graciously assist and join in with the celebration.

John was an incredibly intelligent and quick-witted individual. His eclectic taste in music, as well as his knowledge of sports trivia and other pieces of otherwise useless information was particularly remarkable.

His untimely passing demonstrates the fragility of life, and it should make all of us pause and reflect on the good fortune we have to be surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones on a daily basis.

Rest in peace, John. Your contributions to the wine industry in both Whatcom County and Washington State cannot be underestimated and will not be forgotten.

Peter Osvaldik, owner/winemaker from Bellingham’s Dynasty Cellars has done it again.

The first wine he produced, the DC3 2006 Meritage, was an under priced, overachiever’s dream of a red wine blend that would make even a well-seasoned winemaker envious. If you were fortunate enough to snag a bottle or two earlier this year and tuck it away you’ll find that it’s still drinking beautifully.

But Osvaldik’s latest efforts, which are just being released, are equally as promising as their predecessor, and they’ve been produced in quantities that should keep them in stock for the next several months.

First up is the DCZ 2007 Zinfandel (about $26). Sourced from Walla Walla’s Les Collines Vineyard and blended with a bit of malbec and petit verdot, this wine embraces you like a long, lost friend.

There are no brash, brambly features you might find in more than a few California zins, just some very subtle blackberry and boysenberry flavors with a touch of white pepper and spice on an elegant, polished finish.

Also now available is the DC3 2007 Meritage (about $24), a proprietary Bordeaux blend with a base of merlot along with malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot. In addition to Les Collines, Osvaldik also used grapes from Walla Walla’s Pepper Bridge and Seven Hills Vineyards to comprise this spectacular red wine.

Dark and inky, with understated flavors of black cherry, licorice, and anise, it’s a well made, well balanced blend that is ready to drink now on its own, complemented with anything beef, or simply cellared for future enjoyment.

Dynasty Cellars wines are available at a number of local retailers and wine shops including Purple Smile Wines, The Market at Fairhaven, Blaine Cost Cutter, Whatcom County Haggen stores and Compass Wines in Anacortes.

You’ll also find them on the menu at Giuseppe’s, the Harborside Bistro, Nimbus, the Cliff House and the Rhododendron Café.

In’Ka 2009 Pinot Noir (about $14): This well made, well priced Pinot Noir from Chile (yes, Chile) is surprisingly good, with all the classic flavor characteristics of an Old World pinot.

Bright berry flavors lead to an intriguing finish with toasted spice and smoky/earthy notes. Great with a lightly seasoned pork or duck entree.

The price listed is currently available for retail at CJ Wijns, located in Birch Bay. A visit to this destination restaurant and wine tasting venue is highly recommended.