It’s a toasty weekend in August with skies tinted yellow from passing wildfire smoke. What’s a dog to do but find a cold floor to lie on and lap up some delicious wines. We’ll have a few open this weekend to help Rover out.

Friday Washington Chard that we like!

2022 Sparkman Cellars, Kindred Chardonnay $22
Columbia Valley
The Kindred is a lean, crisp, clean Chardonnay that’s heavy on the acidity and light on the oak. The wine’s Meyer lemon flavor is offset by the twang of grapefruit.

Saturday is Spain

2022 Juan Gil, Jumilla Blanco $14
Moscatel (aka Muscat)
Jumilla
Fresh melon, peach and kiwi aromas are complemented by jasmine and white pepper. The juicy, tightly wound pit fruit and honeydew flavors comes off almost weightless on the long, intensely spicy finish.

2021 Bodegas Exopto, Bozeto de Exopto Rioja $22
60% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Spicy cherry and black raspberry on the nose, with brisk mineral and floral overtones. Juicy and focused, offering sweet raspberry and blackberry flavors and snappy acidity. Impresses with precision rather than power, and finishes with good persistence.

Sunday — More Malbec

2022 Pampa, Malbec Reserve $15
Mendoza, Argentina
A herbaceous character can be perceived in the nose and palate of this easy-going Malbec. It features light acidity and mild tannins, supporting black-fruit flavors, black pepper and grassy notes that melt away in the finish.