It’s officially summer and I’m here to help you make pour decisions with an unstuffy summer wine guide! And surprisingly, this post is not all about rosé (although judging by my love of Josh Cellars Rosé in these photos, I could easily do that). I compiled a list to guide you through summer no matter what you’re into – reds, whites, rosés, and bubblies. The best part? As an unstuffy wine guide, everything is really reasonably priced and designed to be enjoyed right now, in the moment, and shared with those you love – at a socially distant gathering of course. 😉 And since it’s summer, I paired each wine with some fun summer wine accessories! One of these days I’ll get my hands on that rosé pool float.

Outfit details: Basic black t-shirt | Jeans | Platform sandals | Sunglasses | Picnic basket (old, but I love all the wicker basket options from Wayfair right now!)

Light Red Wines

Yes, you can and should chill certain red wines. You can pop them into the fridge for a few minutes or cool them down in an ice bucket. I wouldn’t go lower than about 55 degrees, which is a little warmer than your fridge. My favorite summer red is Pinot Noir because it packs all the robust flavor you look for in a red but is lighter on the palate (less tannic) and when chilled is pretty refreshing. 

I also love a great Beaujolais. It’s a bit of a sleeper in this category and I think it often gets overlooked. Some can be a little pricey, but you can almost always find a great value Beaujolais in the $10-15 range. What makes Beaujolais great for summer is its Gamay grape, which is really zesty and fruity. 

A third option is Grenache, or Garnacha in Spain. It’s more of a medium-bodied wine but has some nice fruit notes and goes great with a summer BBQ.

Try:

Duboeuf Beaujolais Villages – If you’ve never had Beaujolais, this is a good one to start with.

Domaine des Maisons Neuves Chiroubles

Meiomi Pinot Noir – A great value Pinot Noir that compares to the more expensive Belle Glos Pinot Noir (also fantastic)

Pair it with these fun accessories:

White Wines

My usual go-to white wine for summer is Sauvignon Blanc. It’s easy to find and there are plenty of good ones at reasonable price points. I enjoy the acidity a Sauvignon Blanc brings to foods like fresh oysters and some soft cheeses. But if you’re looking for something a little more interesting, look for Albariño. It grows on the Iberian Peninsula and has some of the oldest living vines in the world. It’s super refreshing on a hot summer day (serve at 45 degrees) and has some really lovely stone fruit notes (think nectarines). It also has a nice balanced acidity and goes well with any kind of seafood dish.   

Try:

Noble Vines 242 Sauvignon Blanc – A great value; bright citrus with a tiny floral finish.

Josh Cellars Sauvignon Blanc – A staple white wine in our house. Great with food or by itself.

Hilmy Cellars Albariño – 100% Texas grown and fabulous

Pair it with these fun accessories:

Rosé Wines

Ah, my favorite wine category. I was never a rosé fan until we visited the south of France in the summer of 2014. After touring some of the best boutique rosé producers in Provence and capping each night with a glass of rosé on the beach in Nice, my love affair with pink wine began. Are there bad rosés? Yes, and when they’re bad I think they’re really bad. But when they’re good, they’re great, and they can be quite affordable. My preference is rosé made either in Provence or in that same style. These rosés are very light pink and dry, not sweet. But don’t let the light pink color fool you. The flavors of red berries and citrus fruits can be quite assertive. 

Try:

H to H “Homage to Heritage” Cotes du Rhone Rosé – I came across this low-budget rosé a few years ago and it continues to be one I come back to. Easy sipping!

La Vieille Ferme Rosé – In my opinion, the best value French rosé you can find at the wine shop or grocery store. Look for the chicken and rooster on the label. This one is always fun to drink.

Josh Cellars Rosé – If you’re looking for an American wine that has captured that French essence of rosé making, this is your wine. It’s just a beautiful rosé. I’m a huge fan!

William Chris Vineyards High Plains Rosé – A 100% Texas rosé that is good (and there are many Texas rosés that I can’t recommend).

Pair it with these fun accessories:

Bubbly Wines

Red wine lovers – yes, a bubbly red does exist! When was the last time you had Lambrusco? This wine originates from Northern Italy and when we had it back in 2016, the Italians were referring to it as “breakfast wine.” Paul and I still laugh about that, but to be honest it does make a rather good pairing for a frittata. Lambrusco wines are dry (secco) and barely sweet (semisecco) and are generally semi-sparkling. So it’s not an onslaught of bubbles but just a little fizz. Serve chilled.

Let’s not forget Lambrusco’s cousin – Prosecco, also from Northern Italy. Speaking of breakfast wines, Prosecco is always a good choice for mixing mimosas but it’s a great pick for any time during the summer, too. I prefer it to champagne sometimes because I don’t feel like I need a special occasion to drink it. A random Saturday afternoon on a blanket in the backyard is the perfect setting to invite Prosecco to. I’ll save my anniversary invitation for Veuve Clicquot.

Sparkling rosé is another favorite summer wine because, well, who doesn’t love pink bubbles? 😉

Try:

Cupcake Prosecco D.O.C. – An Italian prosecco that is as pleasing to drink as it is adorning your table. I love the look of the bottle and the prosecco itself is pretty perfect. At its price point, I wouldn’t feel guilty mixing it for mimosas or other sparkling cocktails.

Mionetto Prosecco Brut D.O.C. – Looks good, tastes good, and makes a great gift.

Borrasca Prosecco D.O.C.G. – More intense than the above two and makes a great seafood pairing.

Pair it with these fun accessories:

Canned Wines

If you haven’t had wine in a can yet then you’re missing out. No, this is not the boxed wine of the 1980’s that gave wine served in anything other than the bottle a bad name. Canned wines are perfect for summer because they travel so well. Just toss into your picnic basket and hit the road. These are not wines you’re going to cellar, but wines that are meant to enjoy right now. The canned wine aisle has become much more crowded from just a couple years ago and it can be fun to experiment, since you can usually just buy one can at a time. Not all canned wines are great, but you can’t go wrong with the below suggestions.

Try:

Eufloria Aromatic Rosé – Not the light pink hue I tend to look for, but this vivid pink rosé has notes of something I’ve never tasted in wine before – lychee!

Pop+Fizz Sparkling Wine – While the marketing on this is a millennial’s dream color palette, the wine itself is yummy.

Sofia Blanc de Blancs – From the Francis Ford Coppola Winery, it’s the most stylish of the bunch. The wine is pretty refreshing and as each can comes with its own straw, it’s perfect for summer.

Sway Rosé from Yes We Can Wine – Another Texas favorite that’s winning awards! Look for it at Whole Foods or buy direct.

Pair it with these fun accessories:

What are you sipping this summer?

xo and cheers! – Erin

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