One of the kooky things about central heat is that it works too well sometimes. Rather than wearing layers of pajamas, sweaters and socks while drinking a red wine I’ll occasionally find myself in shorts sipping white wine. I had such a day recently and it called for Monkey Bay Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand ($8.99).

It goes without saying that having monkey in your name and in your logo will guarantee sales. In fact, it’s arguably cheating.  That said, Monkey Bay is at least a  real place in New Zealand. The site explains the origin as follows:

Legend has it that in the late 19th century, an Englishman visiting the Marlborough coast of New Zealand’s South Island reported seeing a monkey cavorting near a small bay. Locals were sceptical because monkeys are not indigenous to New Zealand.

Might the little imp have escaped from an American whaling ship that docked in Marlborough after stops in Africa or Indonesia? Or did the Englishman, addled by too much sun, or too much drink, mistake the native kiwi bird for a chimp? Whatever the real story may be, the idyllic spot became known as Monkey Bay – and so it is called to this day.

My local liquor store had the good sense to keep several bottles chilled. The flavor is a perfect balance of sweet to tart. I wouldn’t call it crisp but it’s certainly effervescent with great zing. Quite a few fruit flavors are present, most prominently, grapefruit. The finish is clean. This is a highly drinkable wine and a favorite from the Marlborough region. This is a great wine to have on a genuine hot summer day or in the microclimate of a centrally heated building.  Here is another review appreciative of the wine.