As summer sizzles, it's a great time to explore new white wines. Or reinvent your favorites.

Most people are familiar with sangria made with red wine, but have you ever had it with white wine as the base? An affordable, easy to find wine that makes a great white sangria starter is Apothic White. The juice is a crazy blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Riesling which offers up an off dry, juicy, tropical fruit kind of flavor. Pour a bottle in a pitcher, stir in some frozen raspberries, strawberries and maybe even some chunks of watermelon, (remove the seeds first). As the fruit thaws it releases some juice which adds a natural acidic lift to the lush, slightly sweet wine. Serve chilled or over ice and add some slices of lime.

Another hot weather white is Torrontes. The grape grows in Argentina and kind of reminds me of a cross between gewurztraminer and sauvignon blanc. You get the white pepper spice and stone fruit (apricot, white peach) of gewurztraminer and just enough ZING but not too much TANG of a Sauvignon Blanc. Torrontes is DRY as well. Alamos makes a reliable and affordable offering.

If you can't give up your Chardonnay on a hot summer day then at least give up the oak. Toad Hollow offers a tasty un-oaked version of the USA's best selling wine grape. Lovely aromas and flavors of green apple and pear. Clean and fresh and uncluttered on the palate.