Last week we wrote about roses, the perfect summer wine in our book. Not everyone likes roses, so this week we have a variety of other summer wines that we’ve recently enjoyed.

Like the roses, these wines are chosen for their versatility as patio sippers and as matches to typical summer food. There are so many interesting grape varieties for the summer wines, so you’ll find many different wines below. Many of them are great values and can be served to a crowd without breaking the bank. Enjoy!

Summer whites

Ponzi Vineyards Arneis 2007 ($20). Using a grape common to the Piedmont region of Italy, Ponzi has produced a stunning, rich wine ideal for summer quaffing. We dare you to stop at one glass. This Willamette Valley producer also has released a pinot gris and a pinot blanc that have good varietal character, fresh acidity and bright fruit flavors.

Joseph Faiveley Macon-Villages 2007 ($20). We’ll be writing more about these great, fresh chardonnays from the southern-most region of Burgundy. Generally the best value in Burgundy, these wines have a great expression of fruit and crisp acidity. This one has citrus and tropical fruit notes.

Mapreco Vinho Verde 2008 ($8). This gem from Portugal is a great value as a sipping wine. It has a tantalizing spritz to cleanse the palate and nice apple and citrus flavors.

Jean-Luc Mader Pinot Blanc 2007 ($17). Consumers often forget about Alsace pinot blanc because they think of this French region as riesling and gewurztraminer. But we find the pinot blancs to be among the best in the world. Simple but breezy for serving with crab dishes. This one has a lot of fruit.

Sauvignon Republic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($20). This producer draws juice from various locations. This one using New Zealand juice has wonderfully broad flavors of citrus, mineral and apples. We like all of their wines.

Zonin Ca’Bolani Pinot Grigio ($15). Pinot grigios soar in popularity in the summer because of their generous fruit flavors and quaffability. This estate is Italy’s largest single vineyard for pinot grigio. Located in Friuli, it produces grape for a wine that is still crisp but not overly so. Green apples and pears dominate the flavor profile.

Cline Cellars Marsanne Roussanne Sonoma Coast 2008 ($16). True to the grape, this blend of Rhone Valley grapes has lively acidity and a citrus, grapefruit profile. Great for patio sipping or with cold pasta dishes.

Chateau Ste. Michelle Columbia Valley Pinot Gris 208 ($13). This Washington state wine has fresh pear flavors, roundness and hints of spice.

Rocca di Monte Massi Calasole Vermentino 2007 ($15). Floral nose with citrus notes on the palate and crisp acidity. Great backyard sipper.

Riondo Prosecco ($10). This is a great Italian sparkling wine for sunsets or just waiting for the food to come off the grill. Rated 90 points by wine critic Robert Parker Jr., this prosecco is light and crisp with a clean finish and a floral nose. If you want a real treat, try the rose version.

Picco del Sole Aglianico 2006 ($14). From Sardinia, this wonderful wine has lots of simple, fresh fruit and can be enjoyed by itself or alongside fish and chicken.

Summer reds

Joseph Drouhin Beaujolais-Villages 2007 ($13). You can add a little chill to this red wine made from gamay grapes. Great with burgers, it has a violet nose with raspberry and strawberry flavors and a smooth finish.

Cline Cellars California Oakley Five Reds 2006 ($10). Cline makes consistently good wines for the price and this one has simple, pleasing fruit that won’t set you back if you have crowd coming over for a barbecue.

Epiphany Gypsy 2006 ($25). What a fascinating wine from Santa Barbara County. A blend of grenache, mourvedre, syrah, cinsault, and petite sirah, this Rhone-styled wine spors black cherry, plum and herbal flavors with bold raspberry, pepper and tobacco aromas. It is a wonderful wine that could hold a slight chill and would marry well with grilled chicken, ribs, hamburgers and pasta.

Le Cigare Volant 2005 ($32). This blend is a perfect wine to serve with grilled meat that can range from hamburgers to steak. Earthy in style, it is composed of grenache (50 percent), mourvedre, syrah, carignane, and cinsault — Rhone Valley grape varieties that make an exotic melange. Various nuances abound — spice, chocolate, mushrooms, cassis and more.