In the dog days of summer, cold beers and highball cocktails are the go-to thirst quencher. It's hard to beat a good gin and tonic after a hot afternoon in the sun. But there's more to summer drinks than slaking thirst and cooling off. When you want something to sip and savor at the beach, to pair with your favorite seasonal dishes, or to elevate a summer poolside gathering, summer wine is the perfect choice.
Summer White Wines
A crisp, refreshing white wine is the traditional choice for summer drinking. A light-bodied white with a vibrant acidity is ideal for hot afternoons and warm evenings. Plus, summer whites are lower in alcohol than reds, so you can enjoy a glass or two without feeling weighed down and sluggish.
Sauvignon Blanc is the classic summer wine. Its crisp acidity, citrus notes, and herbal undertones are perfect for sipping at the beach or by the pool. It's also the ideal pairing wine for traditional summer fare like light salads and seafood.
If you're looking for something a little different, Pinot Grigio can be an excellent choice. It's light-bodied and known for its pear and lemon notes. It has some of the tartness of Sauvignon Blanc, but it doesn't overwhelm the palate.
In Spain and Portugal, the locals enjoy a glass (or more) of Albariño with late meals on hot summer nights. An aromatic white wine, Albariño brings notes of peach and citrus but with a noteworthy mineral finish. As you might expect of a wine made near the Mediterranean coast, it is the perfect pairing for seafood.
Finally, for something out of the ordinary, try orange wines, also known as skin-contact white wines. Often made following traditional, organic practices, these refreshing wines are made with white wine grapes, but are macerated with their skins like red wines. Orange wines are citrusy and flavorful with some of the tannic structure usually associated with reds.
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Summer Red Wines
When summer is mentioned, it's white wine that first springs to mind. But that doesn't mean you should ignore red wine. It's understandable if you're not up for a boozy, tannic Cabernet Sauvignon or Barolo. But that's no reason to neglect the many light-bodied, fruity reds that make for ideal summer drinking.
Beaujolais wine, primarily made from the Gamey grape, is the quintessential summer red—light-bodied, mouth-watering fruity notes and a relatively low alcohol level. Even better, Beaujolais is at its best when slightly chilled (around 10°C).
Pinot Noir is an excellent alternative to Beaujolais. Its light body and delicate profile make it easy to drink in hot weather, and it can be cooled to just below room temperature without overly muting its red berry notes. Beaujolais and Pinot Noir pair well with grilled meat or fish at a summer barbecue.
If, as evening falls and temperatures cool, you prefer to drink a red with a bit more body, try a Sangiovese or a Grenache. Grenache, from Spain, is a medium-bodied red with fruit flavors and a hint of spice. Sangiovese is a medium-bodied Italian red with a pleasant acidity and cherry notes. Both pair well with tomato-based summer dishes, like pasta or pizza.
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Sparkling Summertime Wines
No list of summertime wines would be complete without sparkling wines. As refreshing as still white wines are, the bubbles take it to another level. Naturally, sparkling wine inspires thoughts of Champagne, and a dry Brut Champagne is a good option for warm weather, although some find sweeter vintage Champagnes a little cloying and heavy in high temperatures. If you want to push the boat out, Blanc de Blanc Champagne, made exclusively from Chardonnay, offers crisp citrus flavors and unbeatable complexity.
Of course, many other sparkling wines are ideal for poolside sipping, including Prosecco, which is light, fruity, and economical. Spanish Cava is a great choice if you want a sparkler with apple and citrus notes and a bit more complexity than Prosecco.