My Favorite Wines For Summer
Here are 10 of my favorite wines to sip during the summer (in no particular order):
Assyrtiko (Santorini, Greece). Crisp, ocean-spray and mineral-driven — no other wine reminds me more of the seaside.
Albariño (Rias Baixas, Spain). Perhaps only second to Assyrtiko when it comes to ocean-driven wines. A bit richer than Assyrtiko, but a good example brings zippy acidity to cut through its weight and fullness.
Vinho Verde (Portugal). The king of freshness and zippyness, often with a touch of frizzante that adds another layer of texture. Not super complex, but utterly quaffable and refreshing.
Chablis (Burgundy, France). A good example delivers top-notch acidity, balanced with minerality and deep citrus fruit, as well as a greater level of complexity and depth than many others on this list. My favorites are 1er Cru examples particularly from Montee de Tonnerre and Cote de Lechet, but you could also kick it up a notch with Grand Cru examples from Les Clos, Vaudesir, or Blanchot.
Muscadet (Loire, France). Light, lean, refreshing with green fruit, light florals, and salinity. Also often aged on its lees, bringing another layer of depth akin to Albariño.
Dry Rosé (Provence, Bandol, Touraine, or Tavel, France; Navarra or Rioja, Spain). I mean, what’s more classic than Rosé in the summertime? I also occasionally enjoy off-dry examples too, such as Rosé d’Anjou.
Dry Riesling (Alsace, France; Finger Lakes, NY). While many of the other white wines on this list tend toward very citrus- and mineral-driven profiles, Riesling brings something a bit different to the table with juicy stone fruit, high-tone floral notes, petrol, and expressions of more river and lake terroir over ocean influence. But the common denominator remains freshness and acidity.
Gamay (Beaujolais, France). Sometimes you just want red wine. This is the right one for summertime - light, fresh, juicy, and good lightly chilled. I’m opt for a lighter Cru Beaujolais, such as something from Fleurie, Chiroubles, Saint-Amour, or Regnie.
Dry Chenin Blanc (Vouvray or Anjou, France; Swartland or Stellenbosch, South Africa). Also a great springtime wine, but also very nice for summer. Bright, floral, honeyed, citrus and orchard fruits. Everyone is into Chenin these days, right?
Champagne! My go-to for all seasons and any occasion. In summertime, I’m going for something on the fresher side, generally a Blanc de Blanc with less than 10 years of age.
Some honorable mentions:
i. Vermentino (Sardinia, Italy)
ii. Sauvignon Blanc (Sancerre, France; Marlborough, New Zealand)
iii. Moscato d’Asti (Asti, Italy)
iv. Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio (Alsace, France; Alto Adige, Italy; Willamette Valley, OR)
v. Frappato (Sicily, Italy) — a light red wine you can drink chilled, similar to Gamay
vi. Picpoul (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) — a light red wine you can drink chilled, similar to Gamay
What are your favorite wines for summertime?