Budget Summer Whites
With the hot weather it’s definitely time for some refreshing crisp white wines. My usual goto on a hot day is Sauvignon Blanc, but it’s hard to find quality SB at prices I consider for everyday wines.
I was recently delighted to discover several very dry and crisp, and extremely affordable French Colombards (two varietals and one blend) that fall nicely into this category. All are from the 2019 vintage, and all are relatively low in alcohol, at 11-12%
In my experience, French Colombard in Israel is rather floral and often off dry, so I was quite surprised that none of these wines has the slightest hint of sweetness or is overly fruity.
The first is is a varietal French Colombard from the Mony Winery, which I first tasted at this year’s Sommelier wine exhibition (my last wine event before Corona). The wine is light, refreshing, and utterly delightful. It can be had for about ₪40 at Yayin Ba’ir, with a discount for members (membership is free).
The second wine is one I discovered this past Friday at the farmer’s market in Givat Ada, which is held in the Teperberg complex*. To mark the Teperberg Winery’s 150th anniversary, all wines from Teperberg’s Impression series are currently on sale at 3 for ₪100. Being curious, I bought three – two bottles of varietal French Colombard and one Sangiovese. This French Colombard too is a completely delightful dry, crisp, and slightly lemony wine. I thoroughly enjoyed it this past weekend sitting in the garden.
Perhaps the most surprising of the trio is the unpretentiously named Dry White Wine from Segal. Considering that this wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, French Colombard, and Muscat, I would never have expected it to fall in the very dry and refreshing category. Truth be told, I probably never would have bought this wine had I not been brought a bottle by a guest. At under ₪20 at Rami Levi, this wine can only be considered a steal. I am on my second bottle and will definitely be going back for more.

As far as I am concerned these wines are all excellent hot weather quaffers that represent real value for money. Go buy some, sit in the garden on a hot afternoon, and enjoy!
* By way of explanation, a branch of the Teperberg family lives in Givat Ada, where they have a shop selling Teperberg wine, local olive oil, and various other goodies, and where they host a local farmer’s market.