Sweltering summer heat may bring to mind frozen margaritas or hard seltzers straight from the cooler, but there’s no reason to forego wine just because of the temperature.
Plenty of wines (white, red, and pink) pair perfectly with hot afternoons and warm nights, whether you’re sweating at a cookout or just enjoying the view from your porch.
Rather than making you feel heavy and sluggish, a good summer wine should perk you up. In general, we’d recommend wines that are higher in acidity for a lively and refreshing taste. Here are some of our picks.
Popular light, dry wines such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling tend to take center stage for summer wine drinking—and they are indeed great for hot temperatures and summer salads. But if you’re looking to try something a little different this summer, we recommend Chenin Blanc.
Chenin Blanc is a versatile summer white with a variety of flavor profiles. Grown in the Loire Valley (France), South Africa, and California, flavors can include honey, apple, pear, citrus, melon, and quince. Most importantly for summer, it’s lively with a bright acidity for ultimate refreshment.
Made from handpicked grapes grown in South Africa’s Swartland region, this vibrant wine boasts flavors of ripe summer melon, pear, white peach, and lemon peel.
Crisp, bright, and vivacious, this wine is an aromatic white blend boasting a bouquet of honeysuckle, lemon & lime, yuzu, and ginger spice. Comprised of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier (a full-bodied white known for floral notes and flavors of peach and apricot), this subtly sweet white blend pairs perfectly with foods that have a little spice.
Did you know that Pinot Noir is great for year-round drinking? This fruit-forward, light-bodied red pairs well with a variety of foods like salmon, mushrooms, and pork (so they’re a great companion to BBQ ribs). Since Pinot Noir is lower in tannins than some other reds, you can expect it to be easy to drink without drying you out. Flavor profiles can include notes of cherry, raspberry, plum, vanilla, and smoke.
Firesteed Pinot Noir is ruby red in color with a lively pop of cherry on the nose, followed by earthy notes, toasted oak and cedar. Flavors of cranberry and mouthwatering acidity highlight the palate, which shows balanced fruit and has a smooth, lingering finish.
This alluring Pinot Noir offers beautiful layers of black cherry, currant, and strawberry, with subtle notes of rustic forest floor and spice. On the palate, it is soft and silky, with balanced acidity framing the vibrant berry flavors and carrying the wine to a long, lush finish.
Rosé is widely known as a summer wine, and there’s a reason for that. Dry to semi-dry with berry fruit flavors, rosé wines tend to be crisp, flavorful, and refreshing. They’re made from red wine grapes but spend less time in contact with the grape skins, which results in wine with a lighter color and lighter taste.
Try something new with a rose that hails from Stajerska, Slovenia. Made from the red grape Žametna Črnina, it’s fresh and ripe with aromas of wild berries, strawberries, melons and peaches. On the palate, it’s bright and fruity with a lively, refreshing finish.
Whispering Angel is today’s worldwide reference for Provence rosé. Made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino), its pale color is pleasing to the eye and draws one in. The rewarding taste profile is full and lush while being bone dry with a smooth finish.
Need help choosing the perfect summer wine? Visit your local Green’s to check out our selection, and we’ll be happy to help you find your next favorite.
