Domaine Guindon 2005 Coteaux d'Ancenis Gamay rose

Although it's early August as I write this, I know that Autumn is NOT just around the corner here in Richmond. While there might be a cool day here and there in September, Richmond won't enjoy Fall like weather until October. Until then, I'll be running the airconditioning as needed, freezing washcloths in the freezer for instant relief, eating lighter foods, and, of course, drinking lighter wines. While I've been enjoying lots of dry, crisp whites (especially those from Alsace, Germany and Italy), I've also been drinking some excellent roses. My fantastic (future) in-laws recently bought me a propane grill, and I've been grilling up tons of portabellas and burgers and dogs and veggie patties. As with lighter reds, roses are great matches for this kind of fare. They're truly an antidote to otherwise oppressive summer days: lively, refreshing, invigorating.