The Complete Summer Wine Guide: 15 Bottles + Pairing Ideas 🍑🍾
Perfect pairings for patios, picnics, and pool floats!
Technically the first day of summer isn’t until June 20 but I’ve already been grilling for the past three weeks, so here we are!
As the days get warmer, I also find myself reaching for brighter, more crisp wines.
And listen, no one taught me to love a big glass of bold red wine more than Olivia Pope (we all watched Scandal, right?!) but, per above, I need something to match these summer vibes. And so I compiled a list of my favorite wines for summer, broken into categories.
For your sipping pleasure, here are my current favorite wines for warmer weather!
(Each wine is linked and many of them I’ve been able to find at Total Wine but my favorite way to discover new and fun wines is to go into my local wine shop! Also, be sure to bookmark this post in Substack so you can come back to it later!)
Oriane Sauvignon Blanc By Gerard Bertrand
Price: $14.99
Region: South of France
Notes: Grapefruit, green apple, lemon
Why I Love It: I love a Sauvignon Blanc from France because they are often softer than New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs. This one still has those bright citrusy notes but 10% of the wine is aged for a few months in oak which also mellows this wine out allowing it to be very easy drinking!
Pair It With:
Greek platter (my favorite pairing!)
A snack board with goat and feta cheeses
Shrimp spring rolls
Orballo Albariño Rias Baixas, 2023
Price: $19.99
Region: Spain
Notes: Apricot, green apple, honey
Why I Love It: I feel like Albariños are slept on - when you want a crisp white and you want something other than a Pinot Grigio or a Sauvignon Blanc…reach for this! It’s bright but has some soft minerailty which balances out the bright fruit.
Pair It With:
Fish tacos
Chinese chicken salad
Grilled cheese
Bougrier Famille Sauvignon Blanc Vin De France
Price: $11.99
Region: France
Notes: Ripe pears, melon, grapefruit
Why I Love It: Another Sauvy B from France but this one is a touch more affordable. It has a nice creaminess at the end which helps mellow out the grapefruit notes.
Pair It With:
A book!
Perfect for sipping alone
Oysters
Albrecht Pinot Gris Tradition
Price: $22.99
Region: Alsace, France
Notes: Baked apples, peach, minerals
Why I Love It: For people who don’t enjoy sweeter wines but want something dry with just a hint of sweetness, this is the bottle to reach for. It is super approachable and easy drinking.
Pair It With:
Lemony pasta
Baked Brie with fruit
Fried chicken
Dr. Loosen "Dr. L" Riesling
Price: $11.99
Region: Germany
Notes: Peach, apple, honey, minerality
Why I Love It: Rieslings can range from very sweet to dry. This one is on the more dry side with a touch of sweetness. Perfect for very hot days and when you want something smooth with a touch of sweetness on the backend.
Pair It With:
Thai food (wines with some sweetness can take the heat of spicy food!)
Fresh cut apples and cheddar cheese slices
Spicy wontons
Saladini Pilastri Pecorino Offida DOCG
Price: $13.99
Region: Marche, Italy
Notes: Peaches, hazelnuts, minerality
Why I Love It: On our anniversary we went out to a restaurant we love and this was one of the wines in the wine pairing. We had never had it before but we both loved it! It has the complexity of a Chardonnay but it is brighter and layered in an approachable way. I immediately went out and bought a bottle the next day!
Pair It With:
Mushroom risotto
Caviar and potato chips with creme fraiche (our anniversary restaurant’s pairing)
Chicken nuggets with honey mustard
Rombauer Chardonnay
Price: $34.99
Region: Napa, California
Notes: Oak, vanilla, pear
Why I Love It: I love a bold, buttery Chardonnay and this one does not disappoint. It is aged in oak barrels so you get those vanilla notes. Lush and delicious!
Pair It With:
Chicken alfredo
Crab cakes
Fried chicken and cornbread
Gabrielle Vivien Chablis
Price: $29.99
Region: France
Notes: Green apple, pear, citrus
Why I Love It: When I want a chardonnay that is not so bold or oaky, I’m reaching for a Chablis! This wine is rarely aged in oak so you will not get those buttery, oaky notes. But it is still made with the Chardonnay grape!
Pair It With:
Grilled halibut with an herb sauce
Chicken salad sandwich
Crab rangoon
Pierre Henri Morel Cotes Du Rhone Villages Laudun Blanc
Price: $16.99
Region: France
Notes: Melon, pear, pineapple
Why I Love It: This is a white blend but it is still full-bodied with a rich mouthfeel. Even with its depth it is still perfect for summer because it has some of those tropical fruit notes which adds juiciness.
Pair It With:
Roasted maple dijon chicken with asparagus
Baked goat cheese with fresh herbs
Shake Shack chicken sandwich
Borrasca Prosecco DOCG
Price: $16.99
Region: Italy
Notes: Pears, almonds, floral notes
Why I Love It: This is a very drinkable, very affordable option for sparkling wine! If you’re throwing a brunch or picnic, you will want these bubbles on hand!
Pair It With:
Cheddar and broccoli quiche
Charcuterie nachos
Popcorn with salt and butter
Bougrier Rosé D'Anjou
Price: $12.99
Region: France
Notes: Strawberry, raspberry
Why I Love It: This rosé is dry but still has those red fruit notes we love. It has a delicious acidity which makes it crisp and will have you pouring another glass (or 3)!
Pair It With:
A date with yourself and your porch
Grilled peach salad with arugula
Jersey Mike’s turkey sandwich
Caiu A Noite Vinho Verde
Price: $11.99
Region: Portugal
Notes: Apple, pear, with slight effervescence
Why I Love It: Not to be dramatic but this is basically summer in a bottle! Vinho Verde is not a sparkling wine but because of the way it is made, it has a slight effervesnce which is fun and approachable! This wine is very affordable and easy drinking. Perfect for people who do not prefer Champagne or sparkling wine but still want something that pops.
Pair It With:
Shrimp linguine
Watermelon and feta salad
Fried fish and hushpuppies
Courtney Benham Exploration Series Pinot Noir
Price: $19.99
Region: California
Notes: Medium-bodied, succulent and fruity with a medium fruity finish. Notes of strawberry and vanilla.
Why I Love It: I love a chilled Pinot Noir in the summer. Perfect for when I want a red but not something that is as heavy as a Cabernet. Chill in refrigerator for 30-60 minutes before enjoying!
Pair It With:
Grilled burgers
Pork tenderloin
Loaded french fries
Mucchietto Primitivo
Price: $14.99
Region: Italy
Notes: Plums, dried cherry, raspberry
Why I Love It: Zinfandel is my favorite year round but especially in the summer months! Primitivo is the Italian cousin of Zinfandel. It has dark fruit notes and can be jammy. Do chill before serving!
Pair It With:
Grilled BBQ chicken pizza
Fresh tomato pasta salad
Fried mozzarella sticks
Macchia Sangiovese Amorous Lodi
Price: $29.99
Region: Lodi, California
Notes: Blackberry, currant, with crisp acidity
Why I Love It: Of the red wines listed here, this one has a little bit more body to it but it is still perfect for a warm day. It has a nice acidity which can also stand up to tomatoes and Italian dishes. Also delicious chilled!
Pair It With:
Grilled steak
Buttered noodles with fresh Parmesan
A BLT sandwich
And these are some of my favorite summer wines! Don’t forget to bookmark this post in Substack so you can refer back to it!
What’s your go-to wine for summers?! Leave a comment & let’s keep this list going!
Love this. Thanks so much!
Thank you for reminding me how much I love a Vinho Verde in the summer!!