Sitting down here in leg warmers by the heater, visions of 4th of July pool parties, hamburgers, and beers seem really, really far away. In fact, I have been dreaming of our lazy days last year in Napa as we sipped fruity Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma, nippled on blue cheese burgers and corn on the cob, and then saw fireworks over Martini vineyards.

For all of you guys celebrating up north, Shoestring Magazine’s Wine Columnist, Stewart Kelly,  just put up a great wine column on lip-smacking wines for this holiday weekend, all under US$15. From cookouts to post-hike picnics, plus hangin’ on the stoop, chillin’ on a rooftop deck, and for you video game enthusiasts, when the day’s a real scorcher, taking refuge in the A/C. I lended a hand by dishing out my pick for a picnic, the spicy northern Argentinean white, Torrontes.

Have a safe holiday weekend to all!