So, summer, eh? That’s what they’d like us to believe. Check in with me after a couple of weeks’ worth of solid sunshine to see if it sticks. In the meantime, here are a few summery things to sip based on various anticipatory tastings of the past couple of weeks.

Drink Zinck
A crisp ’n’ crunchy little Alsatian is here: Zinck Pinot Blanc 2009 ($17.99), which is in some stores as a specialty listing. The price is good, and the wine is clean, fresh, and nicely off-dry. It’s a good one for prawn skewers or those big-ended green onions some stores sell as BBQ onions. Not a lot of wines from Alsace come in at this price. Check it out before it’s gone, as specialty listings have a way of disappearing quickly, and you don’t know when they will be back.

The annual road trip to Margaritaville
If you didn’t get around to it back in May, as the LDB Signature Stores’ window displays suggested, it’s time to “discover the 3 amigos: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo.” The reference was to tequila, of course, now the fastest-growing alcohol category in the country. At four percent per annum, it’s outpacing both vodka and whisky. The “3 amigos” are the three main types of tequila. Blanco is the unaged, straight-out-of-the-still stuff, while reposado is given a rest for at least two months—but no more than 12—in oak barrels of any size and age. Finally, añejo is held for a minimum of one year, but never more than four, in small oak barrels. There are definitely differences between the three, and they make for fascinating patio discoveries. Don’t ice them, just chill them a little, line them up, then swirl, sniff, and sip. A good selection of tequilas is available locally, stretching in price from $26.99 to $385.99. But $30 or so seems about average.

I happen to be a big fan of Casa Herradura, but they only have the reposado ($62.99) in the LDB right now. Sister label El Jimador has a blanco on the shelves ($29.99), which does it for me in a margarita or with an iced Corona close by.

It’s time to give you the foolproof margarita recipe, as taught to me by a bartender from the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Mix 1.25 shots tequila of your choice (I use the blanco), 0.75 shot of Cointreau, a shot of fresh lime juice, half a shot of fresh lemon juice, and a teaspoon of berry sugar. Stir with ice cubes. Do not use a blender; that’s Jimmy Buffett’s thing in that song. Serve in a salt-rimmed glass or not (that’s your call), and adjust the mix till you get the flavour you like. The bartender gave me the 10-litre proportions. I downsized it for individual cocktails and it may be too tart for your taste.

If you can’t be bothered with all that construction, there’s a new ready-made margarita-in-a-can that came into town a few months back. El Jimador’s margarita-flavoured Tequila Cocktail is made from the requisite tequila, Triple Sec, and lime. Just stick it in the bottom of the fridge for when company comes. Add your own salt if you miss it, and I like a little more lime juice in mine. A four-pack of 355-millilitre cans sells for $9.99. El Jimador also produces a Paloma-flavoured version made with white grapefruit juice, but so far I haven’t seen that one in our stores.

Taking a Swipe at Mike
That’s what Bassano Hard Soda is doing with a fresh, bright soda with a modest vodka kick. They say it’s inspired by classic Italian sodas from prohibition times, and it’s available in two versions: lemon sanguinelli (a blend of lemon and blood orange flavours) and raspberry pomelo (the latter are those steroidal citrus fruits Chinese chefs like to cook with). And lest you think the name refers to the bus-stop town between Medicine Hat and Calgary, it actually comes from one Sandro Bassano, a guy of whom little is said other than that he was a real character. Well, no one ever identified “hard” Mike, either.

The sodas come in clear 330-millilitre bottles (four to a pack) for $9.98. Vodka propels them, but only to the tune of 5.5 percent alcohol, a point and a half less than some of Mike’s, and a half-point more than some of the others, hardness being all relative. Both smell really good but we found them a little on the sweet side, with a slight favouritism toward the raspberry pomelo.

A case for Chenin
Chenin is a quintessential summertime wine, especially Inniskillin Okanagan’s Chenin Blanc 2008 ($16.99). Grab some while you can; only 375 cases came out of the winery. Private stores will be your best bet. This is outstanding Chenin, honeyed and ripe with great acidity, perfect for solo sipping or any summertime meals.

The year’s best fundraiser
That recognition goes to musica intima’s season soirée, which combined wines with specially selected pieces of music. I had the chance to host it in early May, and it was a nifty new take on the old wine ’n’ appies scenario. Local agent Icon Fine Wines & Spirits provided four wines—one each from Chile, France, Australia, and B.C.—while the ensemble performed a suitable piece of music in accompaniment. There was even an encore of “Loch Lomond”, and yes, there was some whisky on hand, but it was (a) Welsh and (b) part of the silent auction. It was an entertaining, well-paced evening with just enough wine and music—and limited attendance. It felt terrific. They’re planning to do it again next spring. I’ll keep you posted.

Themes like good times
Speaking of LDB window displays”¦ While the current lettering on the outside invites you to “Discover California wines,” inside there’s what they’ve taken to calling a “thematic”, a concerted focus on a particular wine region. In July, 75 stores will stock a dozen wines from Argentina: 10 reds (mostly Malbecs and other big reds) and two whites (not enough for my taste), a Sauvignon Blanc and a Pinot Grigio. Most will be priced under $20.