Looking for the best summer wines for your sunshine hangs? We’ve got five for you – all are on the lighter side and would fall in the category of “refreshing.” According to our in-house sommelier, each has higher acidity and are slightly out of the ordinary, yet still pair well with BBQ food and beach views.
Our mouths are watering, so let’s dive in.
5 of the best summer wines
By combining customer insights and expertise from relationships we've fostered in the wine world, we have curated a wine selection to inspire exploration. Look around for wines like Gewürztraminer to Cabernet Franc and regions from Argentina to South Africa.
1. 2015 Le Artishasic Old Vine Carignan Redwood Valley
We kick off our list with Carignan, a late ripening red grape variety of Spanish origin that is most commonly found in French wine. Le Artichasic grows their Carignan in California’s Redwood Valley. The wine develops silky tannins and bright acidity, with a long, complex finish. Aromatics of violet, rose petal, and baking spices, complement a palate of cranberry, black cherry, and licorice. There were only 154 cases of this wine made!
2. 2017 Rizman Tribidrag (Zinfandel)
Next up is a wine from the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia. This 2017 Rizman Tribidrag by Terra Madre is a powerful wine with complex aromas of red fruit, licorice (are we noticing a trend?), sweet spices, and earth notes. This wine pairs well with so many different rich dishes but we strongly recommend a well-grilled red meat and cheese board.
3. 2020 Theopolis Vineyards Estate Grown Rosé of Petite Sirah
Back to California we go. This brilliant rosé by Theopolis Vineyards has amazing aromas of wildflowers, chamomile, strawberry, and fresh watermelon – hello, summer scents! On the palate, this bold-colored rosé is dry and balanced with tasting notes of fresh apple and wild berries. We love to drink it with backyard BBQ foods like smoked meat, crab cakes, grilled veggies, ceviche, summer salads – the list goes on. Learn more about the winemaker, Theo-patra, queen of the vineyards, in our video interview.
4. 2019 Tablas Creek Esprit de Tablas Blanc
Every wine lover needs this Tablas Creek white on their summer table. The 2019 Esprit de Tablas Blanc is Tablas Creek Vineyard's flagship white blend made from 63% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 14% Picpoul Blanc, and 3% Picardan – all grown in California. Wine nerds will appreciate that the grapes were propagated from budwood cuttings from the Château de Beaucastel estate in France. Roussanne provides the core richness, minerality, and flavors of honey and spice, while Grenache Blanc adds green apple and anise flavors, a lush mouthfeel, and bright acids. Picpoul Blanc adds pineapple brightness and saline minerality while Picardan – while only 3% – brings elegance. Get this summer wine before it’s gone.
5. 2019 Kistler Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay
Last but not least, a summer Chardonnay from Kistler Vineyards. Nestled in the Sonoma Mountain region of California’s wine country, Kistler Vineyards puts forward a Chardonnay with powerful aromas of yellow apple and peach skin. On the palate, this wine has crisp acidity and a touch of minerality – making it fitting for warm summer nights. This particular 2019 vintage has softened acidity thanks to the mild conditions and slightly warmer-than-usual evenings leading up to harvest.
Enjoy each of these wines over time with Coravin Pivot or Coravin Timeless wine by the glass systems. With Pivot, wines stay fresh for up to 4 weeks. With Timeless, wines last months – even years. Cheers to exploring the best summer wines the world has to offer.