Columbia Crest Grand Estates Pinot Gris 2010

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

We’ve always been partial to red wines, particularly during the cold winter months, but the right kind of white wine can transport you to summer evenings on the porch.

That’s the case with this lovely pinot gris from Washington, which is one of the better white wines we’ve had in a while.

The winemaker says this vintage came from a challenging growing season that produced lower yields but lots of flavor. The wine was fermented in stainless steel, and a dash of pinot blanc juice was added. It’s a veritable orchard in the glass with lots of stone fruit flavor and a dash of refreshing citrus.

Sherry: “Pear and green apple with an almond finish.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “A citrus nose with flavors of green apple, lime and grapefruit.” 4 stars

Available locally for about $10.

Coming next week: Georges Duboeuf Moulin-a-Vent

Clos du Bois Rouge

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

Marketing new wine labels is essential to create some buzz on the crowded shelves. The marketers at Clos du Bois in California have decided that you can drink your wine and wear it as well, by combining it with a cosmetics line, which is sold separately.

The wine is a blend of cabernet, merlot, syrah and petite sirah, while the cosmetics involve rouge tints for the cheeks, nail polish and lip gloss. But it’s what’s in the glass that matters, not the color of the lipstick smudge left on the edge.

Rouge is a very approachable and balanced blend that is medium-bodied with plenty of berry flavor and spice to keep your palate interested.

Sherry: “Soft and smooth, with a floral essence of rose and strawberry flavor.” 3-1/2 stars

Chris: “A bouquet of leather and cedar with flavors of strawberry and cherry.” 3-1/2 stars

Available locally for about $10.50.

Coming next week: Columbia Crest Grand Estates Pinot Gris

Barefoot Pink Moscato

By Chris and Sherry Hardie

A new year tradition for this column is to feature a bottom-shelf wine, which seems to be very appropriate this year in our post-holiday, belt-tightening, “fiscal cliff”-flirting world.

Barefoot — an E&J Gallo brand — makes very successful and quaffable bottom-shelf wines and has five versions of moscato. The wine is surging in popularity, particularly among younger wine drinkers. Nielsen Co. says more than half of moscato drinkers are younger than 45 and 30 percent are between 21 and 30.

This non-vintage pink version is blended with white grenache to achieve the rose color. It features a bouquet of flowers and typical moscato flavors of honey and orchard fruits. It would pair nicely with spicy foods.

Sherry: “Sweet and light-bodied, with flavors of delicate honey and pear.” 3 stars

Chris: “Flavors of pear, honey and peach.” 3 stars

Available locally for about $5.

Coming next week: Clos du Bois Rouge