Skip to main content

The best heat wave-approved wines to enjoy this summer — and it’s not just whites

Here's what should be in your wine glass when the mercury soars

Bucket of wine bottles at a backyard party.
Angelov / Adobe Stock

Summer is officially here, meaning school’s out, the pool’s packed, and there’s going to be a heat wave (or three). That means the need for refreshment will be at an all-time high. And while we love a good frozen cocktail or ice cold lager, we’re not hanging up our wine glass just because the thermometer is reading 90 F.

We know, it’s temping to just throw ’em all in the fridge not matter the varietal. That, or just treat your glass to some ice or frozen fruit before pouring the wine in. But there’s a better way. Some wines do better on the cool side than others, and we’re here to break ’em down for you.

Recommended Videos

Here are some captivating wine options for the hottest time of the year. And no, they’re not all sparkling wines and whites.

Pet-Nat

man pouring sparkling wine
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pet-Net is essentially the lighter version of sparkling that does oh so well with hot weather favorites like oysters and prosciutto-wrapped melon. More and more domestic producers are trying their hands at the style, popular now thanks to a significant interest in leaner wines. These wines tend to have a bit of intriguing funk to them and are so, so fresh.

Melon

De Ponte
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Originally from France where it’s known as Muscadet, Melon has a decent presence here in the states. This bright and light-as-a-feather white is all you need in the cooler, preferably plus some ceviche. A couple of great domestic options include De Ponte Cellars and Helioterra Wines. If you can’t locate those, you should be able to get locate some French options at your local bottle shop. Do as the French do and pair it up with goat cheese or mussels.

Etna Bianco

Tenuta di Fessina Erse Etna Bianco 2017
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sicily knows all about hot weather and these native white blends are perfect for a picnic. Etna Bianco takes advantage of rich volcanic soil and tends to produce aromatic wines with lots of depth on the palate. Carricante is one of the main grapes and what you get in the glass is a healthy slice of the Mediterranean, in the form of citrus, fresh herbs, minerality and a little bit of sea air. Enjoy just the wine or try some with southern Italian staples like arancini, grilled veggies, or lighter pastas.

Dry Riesling

Wine glass at Drake's Restaurant at The Lodge at Bodega Bay
Gladston Joseph / Gladston Joseph

Thriving in cool climate areas like northern Europe and Oregon, Riesling offers a bracing acidity that can chill you to the bone. Go with a dry and chilled option more times than not, unless you’re pairing it up with spicy food, in which case an off-dry option can balance out the heat with a little residual sugar. Great options are coming out of both coasts in the U.S. at the moment, with the Long Island area in particular worth seeking out.

Chilled Gamay Noir

Grochau Cellars 2017 Bjornson Vineyard Gamay Noir
Image used with permission by copyright holder

One of the lightest reds around loves a good chill and some cold cut meats. Seek out some from the west coast, in cooler growing areas like the Willamette Valley or higher-elevation California American Viticultural Areas. The varietal is always juicy, an unctuous option that performs like a complex fruit punch for adults. The red fruit flavors go great with proteins like turkey. Even a slight chill, like the temp of your wine fridge or just a short spell in the regular fridge is enough to make this wine very inviting on a warm day.

New hybrid wines

Chilled red wine glass
Quadronet_Webdesign / Pixabay

Domestic producers are blending white and red varietals for some refreshing results. The results, like this chill-able red wine from Landmass, can be quite mesmerizing. The style fuses red and white wine, with the nuance of the former and the drinkability of the latter. Keep a bottle in your fridge at the ready this summer.

Keep ’em cool

Glass of white wine
Kichigin / Shutterstock

There are intelligent ways to keep your wine cool. After all, cold is not really what you’re after unless it’s super hot outside. An over-chilled wine will rob it of its aromatics and flavors. Go with the 20-minute rule if you’re keeping wine in the fridge. In other words, pull the wine out and let it set at room temperature for 20 minutes before cracking. Some wines, like most sparkling, is just fine on ice.

If you’re traveling with wine, even if just to the local beach or park, you’ll want to keep it cool as well. There are expensive gadgets for such a thing which you’re more than welcome to explore. Otherwise, go with what you might already have. You can wrap a bottle in a cooling compression sleeve or even rubber band an ice pack to the bottle for short trips. Wine chiller sticks can be effective too, basically cold wands that you dip into the wine.

We’re all-in when it comes to summer. Check out our related features on the best Sauvignon Blanc and pairing sushi and wine, an ultra-refreshing pair if there ever was one. Stay cool this summer, people.

Mark Stock
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
Espresso lemonade? NESCAFÉ swears it’s summer’s best flavor combo
A new hack for your iced espresso routine
NESCAFÉ

Lemonade and espresso are two delicious beverages that I happen to love. At the same time, I never would have thought to combine these two drinks in any way, shape, or form. Just hearing the term "espresso lemonade" has my mind running a thousand different ways. Before trying this in the evening, my mind runs down the "immediate no" path pretty quickly.

At the same time, I recognize that creative individuals across social media have come up with some flavor combinations I once doubted but now love (like the viral sweet potato cottage cheese bowl). But will espresso lemonade become the trendy new coffee flavor combo of the summer? NESCAFÉ thinks so. Admittedly, I'm curious about the hype around this new flavor combination. Is it one of those things that you try once and then never go back to? Or, is it one of those things you didn't know you needed until you try it? If you'd like to try it for yourself, here's what NESCAFÉ suggests you'll need to create an espresso lemonade at home.
All about espresso lemonade

Read more
This year’s best bars list proves great cocktails are everywhere
Some of the more intriguing establishments on the coveted list
Bartender making cocktails

One of the most talked-about annual lists just dropped, showcasing of the best bars in America and beyond. The Best 50 Bars were unveiled earlier this month, a cast of standout establishments located throughout North America. And some on this year's list are quite compelling.

As you might imagine, major cities like New York City, San Francisco, and Toronto tend to do quite well. But the 50 spots extend to other areas to, from the Cayman Islands to oft-overlooked Mexican cities. For the record, the number one spot went to Handshake Speakeasy, a buzzing Mexico City bar.

Read more
Just in time for summer, Cruzan Rum is launching a 13-year-old expression
Cruzan Rum is launching a 13-year-old expression perfect for summer drinking
Cruzan Rum

St. Croix-based Cruzan Rum isn’t messing around. Just in time for the warmer months, the popular spirits brand is launching its oldest aged rum to date. It’s called Cruzan Island Reserve 13 Year Old, and if you’re a rum drinker, it should be the newest addition to your home bar.
Cruzan Island Reserve 13-Year-Old

This new expression from Cruzan Rum isn’t simply a rum that was matured for thirteen years. No, it’s a blend of thirteen, sixteen, and twenty-year-old rums. Each was matured in ex-bourbon barrels before being hand-selected and blended by a team that was led by Quality Manager Cole McCreary.

Read more