With summer just around the bend, the time for outdoor gatherings coupled with good food and drink is here. Whether it’s a barbecue with the neighbors or a dinner party on the roof, good wine is in order—and because it’s summer, only the best wine will do.
Below are some picks from some of our favorite wine minds in the business. We’ve included everything from bubbles and whites to pinks and even rather refreshing reds. Here are the best summer wines endorsed by top sommeliers.
White wines
Tomac ‘Marany White’ blend 2021
Sommelier Jake Bennie of Rose Mary adores this “skin contact wine made of equal parts Roter Veltliner, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc, and Sauvignon Blanc,” he says. “Tomislav Tomac and his wife Martina are located in Plešivica, a sub-region of the Croatian Uplands, not far from the capital of Zagreb. This region experiences a more continental climate than coastal Dalmatia and is particularly well-suited to traditional method sparkling wines, which Tomac also makes some of the best, if not the best, examples in Croatia. The family owns nine Georgian-made clay amphora (qvevri) in which they ferment their still white wines and Pinot Noir. This wine is fermented underground in amphora for four weeks and then transferred to neutral 2,000-liter barrels for one year and bottled unfiltered. This orange wine is made with precision with a round texture and saline quality that I think works perfectly with a summer menu. It can stand up to rich fish dishes and light meat preparations.”
Txakoli Ameztoi Kirkilla
“Txakolina wine is from the Spanish side of the Pyrenees,” says Steven Rogers, sommelier at Virgin Hotels in New Orleans. “The Basque region of Spain produces fun, light, slightly effervescent, crisp whites from Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza varietals. Ameztoi is the producer I automatically think of when talking about Txakolina, but their ‘Kirkilla’ is next level. They age the Txakolian wine in giant 600L French Oak barrels called ‘bocoyes.’ ‘Kirkilla’ is the Basque word for ‘cricket,’ and the Ameztoi family is known by the nickname ‘Criquet,’ a symbol of joy, happiness, and pride. This wine is so insanely aromatic and floral. The palate is wildly akin to mandarin oranges or kumquats. Perfectly balanced with acid and body. Totally unique. If you see this in a wine shop, it’s worth it! Pair this wine with steamed mussels with red peppers and herbs or a Mediterranean-style roasted branzino.”
Bodega Bermejos Malvasia Volcanica
This suggestion comes at the hands of Nadia Bickelhaupt of fine dining establishment Konro in West Palm Beach. The wine hails from the Canary Islands of Spain and is an aromatic volcanic wine, sourced from rugged soils. Showing citrus, dry grass, and peach, this one is made for the backyard.
Heidi Schrock & Sohne More Is More Welschriesling Gruner Veltliner
“For summer wines, it’s hard to beat a Grüner Veltliner,” says Andrew Avery, sommelier at The Standard Grill in NYC. “This crisp, dry Austrian white gives lots of orchard fruit on the palate (especially pear) and is super gulp-able with or without food. Plus, it’s often sold in a big, green one liter bottle (twist-off cap is a bonus for picnicking!) that’s fun and ensures there’s a little more left when you’re craving an extra glass.”
Pink wines
Domaine Gros Noré Rosé, Bandol, France
“With the crazy Rosé hype mostly behind us, I’m excited to introduce more serious renditions to enthusiastic wine drinkers,” says Alex Ring, sommelier at Michelin-starred Sepia and Proxi. “Provence Rosé may be ubiquitous, but the sturdy, age-worthy Rosés of Bandol are unique and belong at your dinner table this summer. An amphitheater overlooking the Mediterranean sea, Bandol’s vineyards are warm, arid, and sunny. The Mourvedre grape is the star here, and even in a Rosé, it produces wines that are herbaceous and gamey, while still retaining fruit and freshness. Mellow and textural, this rosé is perfect for a lazy afternoon weekend lunch.”
The Ilarria, Irouleguy Rosé 2022
“The wine region here is Irouleguy, and it’s in the southwestern part of France, near Spain,” says Rogers. “Basque Country is near the Pyrenees Mountains and is more commonly known for ciders, but the wines here are oh-so-delicious! This Rosé blends two grape varietals, Tannat and Cabernet Franc. This wine is structured and has a body; it is definitely not a Provence-style Rosé. It’s approaching light red wine status! It has complexity and structure and is versatile in its food-friendliness. Tasting notes are cranberry, strawberry, rhubarb, and pomegranate. Minerality and non-fruit characteristics come from the mountain’s rocky soil. Pair this wine with a charcuterie board, a summer melon salad, grilled meats, veggies, and a rhubarb tart, preferably with good company at a backyard evening dinner party.”
Domaine Figuiere Rosé
“On a summer day when the days are full of sun and the temperature goes up there’s nothing better than a glass of refreshing Rosé wine. Domaine Figuiere (Famille Combard) is a great example of winery from Provence that makes its Rosés crisp and elegant with pleasant minerality and succulent flavors of red fruits and flowers,” says Sarkis Arutiunov, assistant head sommelier at LPM Restaurant & Bar in Miami.
Red wines
Bura-Mrgudic ‘Basina’ Tribidrag 2020
Bennie suggests this Zinfandel from the Balkans. “This wine comes from the Pelješac Peninsula, which juts out into the Adriatic Sea in southern Dalmatia,” he says. “It surprises me because it isn’t as full-bodied and high in alcohol as some Californian expressions I’ve tried. There is wonderful freshness and energy that I find really refreshing. A little back history on the variety: it was discovered in 2001 by Carole Meredith and her team’s DNA analysis that Croatia is the original home of Zinfandel, where it also goes by a more difficult synonym on the Dalmatian coast, Crljenak Kaštelanski. However, because there is earlier evidence of the name Tribidrag being tied to the variety, it is the preferred name for the grape.”
La Foule Pinot Noir
An affordable and award-winning wine from the country that brought you Pinot Noir, this one is so light and refreshing that you can even give it a quick chill on a hot day. See how the wine opens up over time and pair it with summer specialties like grilled salmon, smoked portobello mushrooms, or a nice chicken salad. There’s a lot of value to this wine, which bursts from the glass while keeping a moderate ABV of around 12.5%.
Sparkling wines
Keush ‘Origins’ Brut, Vayots Dzor, Armenia
“With 6,00 years of winemaking history, unique grape varieties and terroirs, and a cadre of savvy new producers, Armenian wine is ready to burst onto the international scene,” says Ring. “Keush was founded by Vahe Keushguerian after he returned to his familial roots in Armenia. This traditional method sparkling wine comes from Vayots Dzor, Armenia’s most prestigious winegrowing region, with vineyards tucked away amid beautiful mountainous terrain at high elevations. The grapes are Voskehat and Khatouni—not yet household names, but perfectly suited to produce bright, mineral wines in this unique climate. This bubbly is perfect for a summer spread with lots of grilled vegetables and fresh herbs.”
Champagne Bruno Paillard Dosage Zero
“Bruno Paillard is a great house of champagne and I enjoy all the products they make but I really like this Champagne for the summer as it is very dry,” says Thibaud Duccini, sommelier at Amour in Los Angeles. “Dosage zero means no added sugar so it is very refreshing and doesn’t have the sweetness that other Champagne have, which makes it very easy to drink on a hot day. It still carries a very good flavor profile due to a long aging on lees and a high proportion of ‘reserve wines.'”
Looking for more good wine to drink? Ever wonder what sommeliers drink at home? Us too. If you’re bringing a bottle to a gathering or want to host in style this summer, go with one of the somm-approved wine selections above. While you’re at it, make sure you clean your grill beforehand and check out our favorite red wines for grilling. If you prefer to kick things off with a good mixed drink, here are the best summer cocktails.
