The Cheap Summer Wine Guide

Find Your Perfect Patio White—and Stock Up

Try: 2011 Alamos Torrontes ($11)

Maybe it's a crowd-pleasing Sauvignon Blanc, which tastes refreshing and aromatic whether you're serving it in a stemmed glass or a plastic cup. Or maybe it's something slightly more exotic, like Osborn's other two seasonal favorites, Albariño (from Spain) or Torrontes (from Argentina). They both have floral, citrus flavors and are usually priced low. Whichever you choose, consider buying a case (12 bottles). Most stores offer discounts of around 10 percent when you purchase in bulk. And don't write off Costco, which, according to this recent report, never marks up wine more than 15 percent and has exceptional deals in the $10-to-$15 price range.