When the mercury hits 100-plus degrees, it's time for a light white wine for sipping -- Pinot Grigio, for example. ---

A terrific warm-weather white (or, great for any weather, really) is Brassfield Winery High Serenity Ranch Vineyard Pinot Grigio. It sells here for a measly $11.99 and it will rock you. That's not something I often say about Pinot Grigio, which can be as dull as watching grass grow. But, renowned winemaker David Ramey of Ramey Wine Cellars has been working with Brassfield Estate and lending his magic to its wines.

This Pinot Grigio is fermented in a combination of stainless-steel tanks, neutral oak barrels and small stainless-steel barrels, aged sur lie for six months with battonage (that's the stirring of the lees), which adds beautiful body and texture to the wine -- again, not terms I normally associate with Pinot Grigio. There are Fuji apple and melon aromas on the nose, and the wine is crisp and bright, with good acidity and lemon-lime notes on the palate. It's excellent with seafood but also pairs nicely with a range of Asian flavors.