As summer winds down and our days begin to shorten, it’s time to look back at all the fun we’ve had. Summer is an easy season at “Chateau Dry,” full of casual backyard get-togethers and easy, affordable wine. Here are a few I’ve sipped on this season. Most of these were sent to the Swirl Girls for review:

2009 Michael David Freakshow Cabernet Sauvignon – Lodi, Calif. ($20 online)

A very jammy nose of black cherry, black currant, blackberries and blueberries with a strong punch of alcohol. On the palate, the wine is full of jammy red and black fruit with sweet notes of vanilla and cinnamon. Full-bodied and with soft tannins, this could be a big, warm teddy bear of a wine, were it not for that sharp alcohol.

Valdo Nerello Mascalese Prosecco Brut Rosé – Valdobbiadene, Italy ($14 online)

A cotton candy color in the glass, this sparkling rosé has a fresh and fruity nose of strawberry, raspberry and apple with hints of white flowers. On the palate, the wine is bright and crisp with sweet fruit flavors balanced by a nice acidity and an off-dry finish. An easy summer sipper.

2011 Seaglass Riesling – Monterrey County, Calif. ($11 online)

A pale lemon color in the glass with a light aroma of citrus and sweet apple. On the palate, the wine is light-bodied with sweet apple and juicy peach and pineapple flavors. The acidity could be brighter to balance the sweetness of the wine. It finishes off-dry.

2010 Tenimenti Ca’Bianca Moscato d’Asti – Asti, Italy ($13 online)

A bright lemon color with a tropical nose of lychee and exotic flowers. On the palate, the wine is semi-sweet with ripe lychee, mandarin orange and green grape flavors with a slightly effervescent acidity to tame the sweet fruit. The wine finishes off-dry.

2010 Los Dos Grenache/Syrah – Campo de Borja, Spain ($8 online)

A blend of 85 percent grenache and 15 percent syrah, this wine has a deep magenta color in the glass and a very ripe and juicy aroma of blackberry, red and black cherry and red raspberry with hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate, this wine is all super-juicy fruit with a medium/full body, soft tannins and a punch of alcohol.

2009 Los Vascos Grande Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – Colchagua, Chile ($17 online)

A somewhat sharp nose of red cherry, currant and red plum with hints of earth and minerality. On the palate, the wine is slightly green and tight with tart red fruit and a medium body. It is very dry and slightly sharp on the finish.

2010 Condes de Albarei Albarino – Rias Baixas, Spain ($13 online)

A bright gold color in the glass with a ripe nose of peach, nectarine, apple and citrus. On the palate, the wine is a nice balance of ripe fruit and bright acidity with a medium body and a dry finish. We drank this wine with a Spanish seafood paella and it was the perfect match!

2010 Amancaya Malbec/Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Reserva – Mendoza, Argentina ($15.99 Total Wine)

A deep magenta color in the glass with an equally deep and fruity nose of blackberry, black cherry, black plum and vanilla. This wine is full-bodied and fruit-forward, but nicely balanced with acidity and tannin. The mouthfeel is smooth and round with a lingering finish. This is a very enjoyable wine that would pair well with grilled meats from a backyard barbecue party.

2010 Llai Llai Pinot Noir – Bio Bio Valley, Chile ($15.99 Total Wine)

A very herbal and green bell pepper nose with subtle hints of red fruit on the nose. On the palate, the wine has very tart cherry and raspberry fruit that borders on unripe, with a somewhat bitter flavor, light body and short, dry finish. Not my favorite.

2010 Campo Viejo Tempranillo – Rioja, Spain ($9.99 Total Wine and ABC, $11.93 Crown)

Winner, winner! I’ve tried this easy-going, affordable wine a few times recently and have really come to enjoy it as an everyday, simple sipper. A medium-garnet color in the glass, the wine has a nice mix of red cherry, cranberry, raspberry and currant aromas mixed with hints of earth. On the palate, the fruit flavors are slightly sour, but not overly so, with a medium body, smooth mouthfeel and soft tannins. This is certainly not the most complex wine, but it’s a good value for the price.