Best Inexpensive Wines, Cocktails for Summer

(CBS)  When the summer sun starts beating down, nothing is more refreshing than a crisp glass of wine or a cold frozen cocktail after a day at the beach. "Early Show" contributor Katie Lee shared a range of inexpensive wines and cocktails that will keep you cool on warm summer nights.

"Early Show" Recipes Galore

Boxed Wines:
Domaine Le Garrigon - 2008 Domaine Le Garrigon is a blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah coming from Côtes-du-Rhône. The wine is medium-bodied with both red and black fruit and black pepper notes. Garrigon is perfect for the summer as it will pair beautifully with grilled meats-from lamb kabobs to turkey burgers to steaks. The vineyards are certified organic and this three-liter box holds four regular bottles of wine and will keep fresh for up to three weeks. $41

Yellow+Blue Malbec - From a marketing standpoint, the complete package is genius, but is the wine any good? Having seen other efforts offer poor juice; we were skeptical. The wine is great and perfect for a barbecue picnic. A medium- to full-bodied wine with fine tannins and a lingering, complex finish. Yellow+Blue is certified organic wine in an environmentally-friendly package. $12

California Natural Products, Calnaturale Chardonnay - We think this fun, tasty Chardonnay from Northern California in the convenient and environmentally friendly Tetra Pak is the perfect picnic wine! While not overly complex, it delivers a lot of pleasure. Pair this wine with pasta, fruit and cheese. $7

White Wines:
Spring Seed Wine Co., Four O'Clock Chardonnay - Produced from a single-vineyard in South Australia, this Chardonnay is unoaked and has delicious stone fruit and floral aromatics. Acidity keeps the wine lively. Enjoy with a wide range of food from grilled pork chops to lobster. $16

Chateau du Champ des Treilles, Vin Passion Sauvignon Blanc Blend - Sainte-Foy Bordeaux is known for producing value, white wines. It just so happens they're delicious, too, with mouth-watering acidity and floral notes. Great as an apertif, or with cheese and seafood. $15

Chateau du Champ des Treilles, Vin Passion Sauvignon Blanc Blend - Sainte-Foy Bordeaux is known for producing value, white wines. It just so happens they're delicious, too, with mouth-watering acidity and floral notes. Great as an apertif, or with cheese and seafood. $15

Red and Rose Wines:
Montinore Pinot Noir - The 2008 Pinot Noir is the product of a lovely Indian Summer. Pinots just loves a long, slow ripening period, and that's just what it got in 2008. The colors are deep and ruby. The aromatics are of clean, very rich, ripe fruit, without any cooked or jammy notes. The acids are perfectly balanced, with mouth-filling, full-bodied wines with fine-grained, elegant tannins. $18

La Croix Du Prieur Grenache Blend - Coming from a medieval plot inside the city of Marseille, this wine is classically Provencal with fresh berry fruit and crisp acidity. A versatile food wine, this will match everything from garden salad to grilled meat. $16

Christian Venier, La Gautrie Cabernet Franc - We love this wine. It has a low alcohol level, expressive aromatics, excellent acidity and is a perfect food partner. Black pepper, olive, cherry and earthy notes combine for a complex nose. Serve slightly chilled. $17

Wine descriptions courtesy of Appellation Wines & Spirits.

For cocktail recipes, go to Page 2.

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[daveprice2]

I understand your point (the above comment), but I do not think they are advocating drinking in the morning. This show is on in the morning, therefore this is the only time they have to promote their ideas, recipes, ect...... I personally appreciate every bit of the tips and advice I obtain from this show and seeing the drinks no more entice me to mix a drink early in the morning than does seeing a steak grilling make me want to go fire up the grill! It is up to us as parents to teach our children what is correct behavior.

[jugheadwarner2000]

I'm not trying to be mean or anything but, I think so of the Early Show cast might have a drinking problem? I don't watch everyday but when I do get a chance to watch it you guys always have something to do about drinking. You know when most people start drinking in the morning they have a problem. I just don't understand how you can promote it and flaunt it on the air. Other morning news shows never have drinking segments. Anyway I just can't see how you can promote drinking so early in the morning and basically being a commercial for alcohol and drinking when there are so many people with drinking problems. Also kids might see this also and you know a lot of the alcohol products you promote on your show don't even have commercials on TV 'cause they can't. Anyway someone who starts drinking so early in the morning may have a problem. And by you promoting it your show my have a problem in thinking that its ok. Just think about all the people you might impact by drinking so early in the morning like its normal and no big deal. Remember there are people that have drinking problems and kids do see this.

[wizard98]

Please tell me you are joking. I watch this show every morning for the great coverage of NEWS. It is also on for two hours. What would you like them to discuss?! The variety is wonderful! From fashion, health, issues that affect people of all ages, decorating, housing issues and
cooking. The program is on in the morning so everyone can get their information before they go to work. Maybe get an idea for dinner and that may or may not include a new wine that was seen on The Early Show.
I agree with daveprice2 100%. The show is for everyone and that includes a very wide variety of interests. If that offends you turn off the tv and the radio and get back into bed in your bubble. People need to take responsibility for their own issues. Otherwise there would be no television at all. I'm pretty positive no one on the show has a drinking problem, the are only trying to put on a great entertaining segment.