Napa Valley's best affordable summer wines

Napa Valley, Calif. is simply one of the most beautiful places in the country.

But it's best-known for its wines.

Napa's unique climate and soil composition make it fertile grape-growing country, producing some of the finest in the world that are used in vintages that rival some of the best from Europe.

Napa is home to more than 400 wineries that turn out more than nine-million cases a year, with total sales of more than $10 billion.

No wonder the special Fourth of July "Taste of America" tour on "The Early Show on Saturday Morning" included Napa.

Enjoy all our "Early Show" recipes!

We turned to Food & Wine magazine Executive Wine Editor for guidance on some of the best reasonably-priced summer wines Napa has to offer:

2010 Honig Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc $16

Sauvignon Blanc, with its citrusy zippiness, is an ideal summer wine, great for picnics. Honig is a long-time Sauvignon specialist, and they make some of the best wines in the Valley.

2009 Beringer Napa Valley Chardonnay $16

Lately, Beringer has pulled back a bit from the traditional rich, buttery style of California Chardonnay. This wine is a touch lighter and less unctuous, making it an ideal companion for summer foods like grilled shrimp or salmon.

2010 Frog's Leap La Grenouille Rougante Rose $14 (names translates as 'pink frog')

Dry roses have had a huge bump in popularity over the past couple of years, and Napa wineries have definitely been riding that wave like everyone else. Frog's Leap-with its corks that say 'ribbit' on the side-is known for big reds, but they also make a tasty rosé. Chill it lightly for a picnic in the park.

2007 Castle Rock Napa Valley Merlot $12

Merlot got beaten up by the movie "Sideways" a while back, but the net result of that is that you can get good Merlot for less than good Cabernet. It's a wonderful grape, with dark plummy fruit and a bit of spice, and it's time for its comeback, I think-especially if you're doing something like grilling sausages or hamburgers.

2007 Ladera Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon $39

Finally, if there's one thing Napa Valley is known for, it's Cabernet Sauvignon. Cabernet is kind of the king of red grapes, and Napa is unquestionably the greatest place for it in the US. You have to splurge a little for terrific Cabernet, but the key is finding one that tastes even better than its price. This Ladera, to me, tastes like a $75 wine even though it's only $39.