This week, there has been a heat wave in Walla Walla (this normally happens in August, not July). Monday's high was 106, yesterday, 104 and today's forcast is 98 degrees. It will start cooling down into the 'eighties July 4, and for the weekend, but temperatures are expected to be back up in the 'nineties next week. Perfect weather for chilled white and rosé wines. Here are some new recommendations.

2012 Revelry Vintners Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($14) - This is a surprisingly good Chardonnay for the price. Light gold colored, it offers attractive aromas of apple, peach and citrus, with scents of apple blossoms. The flavors are ripe and generous, yet focused, with touches of vanilla, spice and toast. 17.5+/20 points.

2012 Revelry Vintners Riesling, Columbia Valley ($14) - Another super value, this displays a brilliant gold color and aromas of pear, peach, apricot and citrus, with scents of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, clover and wet stone. The white fruit flavors are bright and vivid, underlain with notes of grape skin, grapefruit peel and flinty minerals. Low alcohol (10.3%), racy acidity and a honeyed medium dry finish gives this wine a Mosel-like character. 18.5/20 points.

2012 Bartholomew Aligoté, Snipes Mountain, Upland Vineyard ($19) - Aligoté is a white grape grown in the Burgundy region of France and this is a fine example. Brilliant gold colored, it emits intriguing aromas of pear, melon, grapefruit, lilac, jasmine and lemongrass. The white fruit flavors are well extracted, yet lively, accented by grape skin, melon rind, hazelnut, basaltic minerals and lemon zest. 18+/20 points.

2012 El Corazon "V Neck" Viognier, Walla Walla Valley ($23) - Sourced from the Southwind Vineyard, this Viognier steers a mid course between the tropical and crisp styles. Medium gold colored, it shows an attractive nose of pear, peach, citrus, melon, honeysuckle and jasmine. The white fruit compote flavors are fresh and lively, with notes of grape skin, peach pit and stony minerals. The back picks up poire William liqueur, melon rind and lemon zest on the crisp, lingering finish. 18.5/20 points.

2012 Castillo de Feliciana "Vino Verano," Columbia Valley ($16) - "Vino Verano" means "Summer Wine." It is a rosé style 100% Airport Ranch Pinot Gris. Pale copper colored, it offers intriguing aromas of pink peach, apricot, Rainier cherry, orange blossoms and grapefruit peel. The flavors are brisk, accented by notes of watermelon rind, grape skin and yeast (from sur lie aging) anc chamomile tea, followed by bright fruit acids on the light, dry finish. 18/20 points.

2012 Castillo de Feliciana Rosé of Tempranillo, Columbia Valley ($18) - This one of Lynn's favorite rosés. Brilliant pink colored, it shows enticing aromas of strawberry, Rainier cherry, pink grapefruit, pink lilac and tangerine peel. The flavors are well extracted, with notes of grape skin (from cold soaking before pressing) and melon rind. On the back, the wine turns juicy, yet retains the distinctive dry texture of Tempranillo, followed by a lingering dry finish that is just right. 18.5/20 points.

See the June issue for a crisp, lively 2012 Chenin Blanc from L'Ecole No. 41, and a trio of delightful 2012 whites from Bergevin Lane ("She Devil" Chardonnay, "Love Struck" Viognier, "Dream Weaver" Roussanne). In the May issue are Waitsburg Cellars' "The Aromatics" 2012 whites: Old Vine Pinot Gris, "Cheninieres" Old Vine Chenin Blanc, "Chevray" Old Vine Chenin Blanc, and Old Vine Riesling. Also, see the Blog posting of 16 May (scroll down to the bottom and click on the article) for various Rosés of the season (some may be sold out).

Have a great summer, and enjoy some refreshing whites and rosés!