As winter snow and wind ravages the land and confines us to indoor quarters, let’s dream of spring and summer.

What better way to do that than to enjoy a glass of Kris, the finest Pinot Grigio currently on the market.

Kris is straw yellow and pale green in color; it has a crisp, pleasant aroma and subtly nudges visions of tulips and golf’s first major of the year, the Masters, on CBS into your cerebral cortex.

The fruity flowery flavors that sprawl across your palate are as palpable as the electricity that flows through your lips after the first kiss with the woman of your dreams.

A medium-bodied white wine, Kris doesn’t leave you feeling empty on the finish. The lingering flavor bears an ever-so-slight resemblance to almond nuts. It is a clean finish that isn’t high in alcohol. Like that woman of your dreams, it definitely leaves you wanting more.

If you want true bliss, enjoy Kris with chicken picante and cavatelli (pronounced gah-va-dill) smothered in a fresh basil pesto sauce.

The zingy acidity of the lemons is a perfect compliment to the low-acid content of Kris. The pine nut and lemon infusion that encapsulates the chicken dish dances off the body of the wine like glistening sun rays that illuminate the surface of a body of water on a warm summer day.

Unlike a red wine that should be served at room temperature, Kris should be served at 48 degrees.

If you are like me, you don’t carry around a wine thermometer. So, here is a helpful hint I learned from my dad when I was just a young man.

Place your bottle outside about 10 minutes before you plan to uncork. Once the allotted time has lapsed, retrieve the bottle, and press it to your face. If it isn’t unbearably cold, then it is time to pour a glass.

Granted, this might not work so well in the summer. During the hot months, put the bottle in the fridge for a few minutes and you will be all set. Don’t leave it in the fridge too long however, as too much time in such a cold environment will make the wine lose its body and become too watery.

To me, Kris has always been the perfect wine for a summer afternoon on the boat, or on the 19th hole.

Paired with virtually any chicken dish that doesn’t involve red sauce, Kris can also be enjoyed with a variety of fish, especially tilapia.

The label is visually captivating, and is a post-modern rarity for the Italians whom usually chose traditionally classic labels for their vino.

Kris is a steal at $9.99 at Binny’s in St. Charles, and is widely available in DeKalb.