2006 Chateau Mas Neuf Costieres de Nimes Tradition Blanc

A beautiful southern Rhone white with a scent of peaches, flowers and almond. The texture is creamy and lush, with a bright thread of acidity that keeps it fresh. A blend of two-thirds white Grenache and one-third Roussanne from the up-and-coming Costieres de Nimes, Chateau Mas Neuf’s Tradition Blanc drinks like a pricey Chateaneuf-du-Pape blanc but is enough of a bargain to stock up for summer drinking.

Serve it as an aperitif, and with chilled shellfish, cold poached salmon, grilled fish, seafood pasta dishes and cheese.

Quick swirl

Region: Rhone Valley

Price: About $12

Style: Fragrant and lush

Food it goes with: Summer soups, tapenade, seafood, omelet or frittata, chilled poached salmon.

Where you find it: Widely available at fine wine retailers.

-- S. Irene Virbila