Tuesday tasting: Summer Whites for Poolside Sipping

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we taste some white wines that are perfect for enjoying when alfresco when the temperatures spike.

In the upcoming issue of All About Beer magazine my Beyond Beer column is focused on ABC Wines -- Anything But Chardonnay -- because the summer is the perfect time to break away from the usual, leave heavy oak flavors behind and look for crisp, fruity wines. Here are 14 wines tasted for the article.

Albarino 2006 Salneval: This Spanish wine from Rias Baixas is light and refreshing. Nice floral nose and crisp grapefruit and lime citrus flavors. Perfect for the deck or poolside.

Ballentine 2007 Chenin Blanc: This Napa wine comes from a grape that got its reputation from the wines in the Loire Valley. Floral aroma, nice minerally base and citrus tones. Perfect aperitif to transition from the work of a long day.

Barefoot Moscato: A California value label that delivers a sweet white with plenty of peach, pear and apricot notes.

Bonterra Vineyards 2006 Viognier: Made from organically grown northern California grapes, this wine has an oaky nose and a dry fruit base to the flavor. It is a blend of 85 percent viognier, 11 percent marsanne and 4 percent rousanne grapes and aged for four months in French oak. Ripe apricots dominate a pleasant flavor profile.

Brennan Vineyards 2006 Viognier: Clean and crisp. This Texas wine has inviting honeysuckle aroma notes. Ripe fruit. A bit of grapefruit and plenty of apricot throughout.

Carta d’Imbarco 2006 Pinot Grigio: This Italian-style white is produced in the Monterey area of California. Fermented in stainless steel, this wine is crisp with a good level of acidity and fresh fruit. Nice cocktail wine.

Casa Nuestra 2007 Dry Chenin Blanc: Dry, apple and citrus backed wine with a nice level of acidity to match well with pasta and seafood dishes.

Kim Crawford 2007 Marlborough Pinot Gris: This New Zealand white is creamy and fruity. Peach skins, apple and pear flavors dominate.

Fontana Candida Frascati 2006 Superiore Secco: Produced from vineyards near Rome using malvasia and trebbiano grapes, this wine has an appealing floral nose and inviting citrus flavor.

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2006 Rkatsiteli: A rare find. An Eastern Europe grape that thrives in a small corner of the Finger Lakes. If you like Riesling and gewürztraminer, then you will love this wine. Mango, spice and pineapple in a refreshing white wine.

J 2006 Pinot Gris: This Russian River white has an attractive floral nose and a nice dry tropical flavor bed. A great way to change the mind of a diehard chardonnay drinker.

Little Black Dress 2006 Pinot Grigio: Light citrus nose, hints of peach and green apple in a easy going flavor profile.

McWilliams 2005 South Eastern Australia Riesling: Very nice bouquet of jasmine and honeysuckle. Dominated by citrus, pear and apricot flavors.

Shannon Ridge 2007 Viognier: Produced in California’s Lake Country this wine is aged in neutral French oak and packs plenty of rich tropical fruit flavors. Mangos, pineapple, peaches dominate.