Bex Riesling helps beat the heat

There are seven "levels" of German Rieslings, all based on sweetness. The top-level wines are the sweetest and are called Trockenbeerenauslese. From there, the levels trickle down to QbA.

This method of classification has little to do with the quality of the wine, and there is a movement in Germany to change to the Alsatian classifications, which are based on quality.

This Bex Riesling is a QbA, but it is excellent for the warmer period we're entering and nicely low in alcohol, adding to the freshness. It is from the popular Mosel-Saar-Ruwer appellation, and is the brainchild of Sonoma Wine Co.

This producer makes large quantities of nice wine available to the American public at an accessible price, so this can be picked up for less than $10, which in this day and age barely buys a couple of gallons of gasoline.

In the glass, Bex Riesling is a faint citrine-yellow color with a clear, bright light greenish-tinged core going out into a fine glass-clear rim definition with light to medium viscosity.

On the nose, there are fresh bright white fruit characteristics with pomelo pulp, white grape juice, crushed apricots, brewers yeast, citrus rind and chalky minerals.

In the mouth, the wine is light and refreshing and incredibly soft on the palate with cooked pears, apricots and red apples. There is no discernable alcohol or wood, just pure white fruit meat with crushed white currants and apple sauce through the midpalate. The finish is light and tasty with hints of minerality and just a lingering touch of apples.

This lovely Riesling is perfect for chilling down in the desert heat, especially if correctly served at 52 degrees Fahrenheit. It would go well with either shrimp cocktail or crab cakes.

Wine: Bex Riesling

Grape: Riesling

Region: Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

Vintage: 2005

Price: $9.99

Gil Lempert-Schwarz's wine column appears Wednesdays. Write him at P.O. Box 50749, Henderson, NV 89016-0749, or e-mail him at gil@winevegas.com.