Clos du Bois Sonoma County Riesling

Grape: Riesling

Region: Sonoma Valley, Calif.

Vintage: 2007

Price: $4.99

In the glass: Clos du Bois Riesling is a fairly light citrine color with a star-bright core going out into a fine, almost entirely translucent rim definition and light viscosity.

On the nose: The wine is all white fruit with nectarines, green honeydew melon and Fuji applesauce, with nice peachy minerality and crushed dragon fruit underlying and just hints of sage and citrus.

On the palate: There is a nicely balanced entry again with white fruits, white peaches and touches of white currants, Asian prickly pear and summer apples. A great deal of minerals and acidity comes through the focused fruit on the midpalate, and it fleshes out with good structure near the finish that lingers with just a hint of sweet citrus toward the very end.

Odds and ends: Clos du Bois is a famous winery operation in California with wines that are widely available at nearly every price point of the market. Its stainless steel-fermented riesling is an interesting diversion here in the middle of summer. Light and refreshing as a California riesling should be, it is perfect for the backyard summer grill party. And it has been slashed in price right when we need it, at least from the fast-selling 2007 vintage. Don’t be surprised to find that the normal price for this light-bodied white wine is more than $12, but consumers have the advantage in a buyer’s market. It is fine to drink by the glass, but also can accompany a wide variety of light dishes such as seafood and oysters. Drink it now through 2012.

Gil Lempert-Schwarz’s wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89106-0749, or email him at gil@winevegas.com.