Sweet wines that require chilling are a perfect match with the summer time heat. They also usually have less alcohol content, so they keep your refreshed rather than overly intoxicated.

My husband, Michael, recently picked up a few bottles of German wine from the local wine shop, and we treated ourselves to a night of wine and a few light snacks.

First, we enjoyed a bottle of 2000 Piesporter Michelsberg Kabinett Riesling. I couldn't find the exact bottle on line, but if you happen to be in your local wine shop or liquor store soon, keep an eye out for its distinctive blue bottle. It is imported by Franz Reh and Sohn and was around $8 U.S. and its alcohol content is 7.5%.

The second wine of the evening was a 2003 Bernkasteler Kurfurstlay Riesling Auslese, also bottled by Franz Reh and Sohn, but this came in a green bottle (again, I couldn't find the exact bottle on line) and was around $10 U.S. and its alcohol content was 9%.

After enjoying these two bottles, it got me to thinking about how German wines are lighter and sweeter and, thus, good selections for summer time. I did a little research and found some helpful German wine information too in case you want to explore German wines a little more, both on and off-line:

Wines of Germany (www.germanwineusa.org/): Wines of Germany, formerly known as the German Wine Information Bureau, is the exclusive U.S. office of the Deutsches Weininstitut. Wines of Germany is focused on creating greater awareness and increased sales of German wine in the U.S. through educational and promotional activities. It is the primary information source on German wines for U.S. consumers, members of the wine trade, and the media. The promotional and educational efforts of Wines of Germany, at least initially, will focus primarily on Riesling, the most famous German grape variety.

German Info (www.germany.info/relaunch/culture/life/wines.html): The most northerly of the wine-growing countries, Germany produces the loveliest, lightest, most delicate white wines in the world. Low in alcohol and exquisitely balanced, they are wines of charm and subtle nuances.
Wines of Germany UK (www.germanwineinfo.co.uk): Germany is home to some of the world's greatest winemakers producing award-winning wines through individualistic methods of viticulture and viticulture.

German Wine Society (www.germanwinesociety.org): The German Wine Society is dedicated to improving knowledge of German wines and conducting events at which such wines are shared and appreciated. The Society is private, educational and not for profit.