Chuck Hussey presents a glass of Zeni Pinot Grigio. Photo by Christina O'Connor | The Roanoke Times

PICKS BY: Chuck Hussey (left), manager at the Radford Vintage Cellar. Blacksburg's Vintage Cellar has been offering both high-end and affordable wines and beers for more than 20 years. The Radford location opened in the old Allegheny Bookstore on Main Street in September.

WINE

Just like ice cold lemonade or sweet tea, some wines are meant for the summertime. Most wine drinkers agree that light wines with lower alcohol contents (because of the dehydration that occurs with the heat) are the best.

Tannic cabernets and heavy chardonnays go best in the winter with a fireplace, as well as the older vintages. So choose young and light wines for perfect refreshment on a weekend afternoon in the woods, or a weekday evening on the deck or in a hot tub.

1. Principessa Perlante 2002

Chuck says: "Perlante means slight carbonation. Not as fizzy as champagne, and great on the deck on a Sunday afternoon."

Born: Piedmont region of Italy

Price: $24.95

Web site

2. Bajoz Rosado

Chuck says: "Nice dry, strawberry and cranberry flavors. Roses are very versatile and go with everything from fried chicken to pizza to spaghetti. Enjoy them while you can because they only come out once a year."

Born: Toro region in Spain

Price: $10.95

3. Cline Oakley Four Whites 2003

Four grapes = Chardonnay, Viognier, Riesling and Palomino.

Chuck says: "Very fruity and tropical and refreshing. It is also very crisp on the finish. Goes great with pineapple shrimp and scallops. Man that's good eatin' right there."

Born: Sonoma, Calif.

Price: $9.95

Web site

*Chuck's Choice Selection*

4. Dusky Sound Sauvignon Blanc 2003

Chuck says: "Red grapefruit taste with a splash of lime. It's got a nice herbalness to it, with good acidity. Goes great with crab cakes and orange roughy."

Born: New Zealand

Price: $9.95

Web site

5. Amberley Chenin Blanc 2004

Chuck says: "The cool climate gives this Aussie wine a bit of acidity, a bit fruity. This wine is sweet in the middle and clean and crisp in the finish."

Born: Margaret River, West Australia

Price: $13.95

Web site

* Homegrown pick *

6. Villa Appalaccia, Pinot Grigio 2003

Chuck says: "Clean and crisp, very fruity, great with scallops, shrimp and any white fish. Also enjoyable as an aperitif before dinner."

Born: Floyd County

Price: $14.95

Web site

BEER

Similar to wine, quenchability is the word for summertime beer. Heavy and bone-warming beers are left behind in the snow in favor of lighter beers with less alcohol content meant for less sipping and more swallowing.

1. Weeping Radish Weizen

Chuck says: "It's a wheat beer brewed in North Carolina that goes great with a slice of lemon."

Price: $7.95 for six; $1.95 single

Web site

*Chuck's Choice Selection*

2. Dogfish Head Aprihop India Pale Ale

Chuck says: "It's got a slight hint of apricot to it. It's one of my top thirst-quenching beers. A real lawn-mowing beer."

Price: $10.95 for four; $2.85 single

Web site

3. Sierra Nevada Summerfest

Chuck says: "I put this on the list because this is a beer you can slam. It really goes down fast. I could easily include all the styles of Sierra Nevada."

Price: $7.95 for six; $1.55 single

Web site

4. Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale

Chuck says: "This is a great pale ale from Colorado, and don't let the can fool you. It's great for backpacking because it smashes down thin and doesn't take up room in the pack."

Price: $7.96 for six; $1.50 single

Web site

5. Lancaster Hop Hog India Pale Ale

Chuck says: "This is a hop lover's beer. If you like hops, you got to try this. It goes reallywell with grilled bratwurst."

Price: $8.45 for six; $1.50 single

Web site

* Homegrown Pick *

6. Dominion Summer Wheat

Chuck says: "This is a beer brewed in Ashburn, Va. You can really taste the wheat and the malt. It's very smooth and easy to drink."

Price: $6.95 for six; $1.35 single

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