These Are the Best Summer Wines to Serve at Your Warm-Weather Soirée

The air is filled with the sound of laughter and the melodic clinking of glasses, as friends and family gather under a sky transitioning from the deep blues of day to the fiery oranges and pinks of dusk. The warmth of the summer day lingers, complemented by a gentle breeze that carries the aroma of blooming flowers and the ocean’s salt if you’re near the coast. Everywhere you look, there are smiles, relaxed conversations, and people moving to the rhythm of a season that celebrates life at its most vibrant. What could possibly enhance this summer soirée? Only the best wines! From light-bodied red wines to fruity rosé wines to crisp whites, these are the best bottles for summer months. (Yes, you can drink red wine in June and July!) Whichever you choose, you’ll love the refreshing taste, cool touch to the tongue, and diverse flavors of these summery wines.

Hot Summer Days and Chilled Wine: The Essence of Perfect Summer Sips

When the days lengthen and the air fills with the unmistakable warmth of summer, our palates naturally crave flavors and textures that echo the season’s lightness and vibrancy. Since ancient times, wine has danced on the tongues of revelers as they celebrate the change of seasons.

Summer wines cut the heat and heaviness of summer with their light bodies, refreshing acidity, and an almost ethereal ability to complement the heat rather than compete with it. These wines offer a reprieve from the hot weather and are often characterized by their crisp taste, fruity bouquet, and sometimes floral notes.

They are designed not just to refresh but to enhance the flavors of summer fare, from seafood caught in the morning’s light to fruits ripened under the same sun that warms the vineyards. This intrinsic lightness makes them ideal for sipping outdoors, whether on a sun-drenched patio during a backyard barbecue or beside the whispering waves of the sea while on vacation.

How Summer Wine Compares to Winter Wine

Contrasting with the full-bodied, richer red wine typically favored in cooler weather, summer wines stand apart in several key aspects. Firstly, their body is lighter, making them more palatable when the mercury rises. Where a robust red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon might feel too heavy in the summer heat, a chilled light-bodied white wine or Rosé can offer refreshment. The acidity in summer wines cuts through the warmth and refreshes the palate, readying it for the next bite of a summer salad or grilled fish.

Finally, the serving temperature of summer wines is key. While cooler weather wines are often served at room temperature or slightly chilled, summer wines benefit from a cooler serving temperature, enhancing their refreshing qualities without muting their delicate flavors. This careful balance of body, acidity, and temperature makes summer wines not just a drink but an essential part of the summer dining experience, enhancing every meal and moment they accompany.

The Best White Wines for Summer

Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is known as a quintessential summer wine because of its crisp acidity and vibrant flavors. With notes that range from zesty lime and green apple to more exotic touches of passion fruit and jalapeño, Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing counterpoint to the warmth of the season.

Its light to medium body makes it an excellent companion to the delicate flavors of fresh seafood, such as oysters or a light, citrusy ceviche. The wine’s herbaceous qualities also complement salads dressed with vinaigrette or dishes that feature fresh herbs. To fully enjoy its vibrant flavors, Sauvignon Blanc should be served chilled, around 45-50 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing its crispness to shine through.

Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio, known for its light-bodied, refreshing profile, offers a palate of crisp pear, green apple, lemon, and sometimes a hint of almond. This wine is a versatile summer choice, capable of moving from the appetizer to the main course with grace. It pairs wonderfully with grilled foods (especially vegetables) and light pasta dishes, especially those featuring seafood or a simple, fresh pesto.

Pinot Grigio’s acidity and fresh flavors make it a match for summer salads that incorporate fruits like peaches or nectarines. Serving it well-chilled (around 45 degrees Fahrenheit) enhances its refreshing qualities and makes it a perfect accompaniment to a summer luncheon or early evening dinner under the sky.

Chardonnay

Chardonnay can vary widely in style, and those with oaky or buttery notes are the ideal companion for a cold winter’s night. Summer calls for drinking a bottle on the lighter, unoaked side, often referred to as Chablis or “naked” Chardonnay. These wines maintain a lighter body and offer a palate of crisp green apple, citrus, and melon, with mineral notes that can add depth and complexity.

This profile makes them an excellent choice for richer seafood dishes, like grilled salmon, or for creamy pasta dishes that might benefit from a bit of acidity for balance. Chicken salads or dishes with a tropical twist, such as mango salsa, also pair beautifully with Chardonnay. To best appreciate its subtle flavors and aromas, serving it chilled but not overly cold, around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, allows the wine to express its full range of flavors without being muted by the cold.

Refreshing Rosés and Sparkling Selections

Rosé and sparkling wines are the epitome of summer elegance, encapsulating the vibrancy and fleeting beauty of the season in each glass. Rosés offer a spectrum of flavors from delicate, dry, and minerally to fruity and slightly sweet, capturing the essence of summer fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries.

Sparkling wines, on the other hand, bring a festive touch to any gathering, their bubbles mirroring the effervescent joy of summer days and nights. The carbonation in sparkling wines adds a refreshing prickliness that can cool and invigorate, making them especially appealing during the warmer months. Both these wine types are celebrated for their versatility and the joyful, light-hearted ambiance they contribute to any soiree, making them indispensable for summer entertaining.

Food Pairings for Rosé and Sparkling Wines

The diverse flavor profiles of Rosé and sparkling wines make them exceptionally food-friendly, capable of complementing a wide range of summer dishes. Rosé, with its balance of fruitiness and acidity, pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, enhancing the charred, smoky flavors with its crispness. It also complements light cheese platters, where the wine’s acidity and fruit notes can cut through the richness of the cheese.

The effervescence of sparkling wines makes them a perfect match for both savory and sweet dishes. The bubbles can cleanse the palate between bites of creamy, rich desserts or elevate the natural sweetness of fruit-based desserts. The acidity in sparkling wines can stand up to fried appetizers, making them a delightful counterpoint to foods with a crispy texture.

Selecting the Perfect Rosé or Sparkling Wine

When choosing a Rosé or sparkling wine for your summer event, consider the sweetness level and origin, as these can greatly influence the tasting experience. For Rosé, the region can be a hint towards the wine’s style; Provence Rosés are typically dry and delicate, ideal for those who prefer subtlety, while New World Rosés from places like California might offer more pronounced fruit flavors and a hint of sweetness.

With sparkling wines, the key is to match the wine’s sweetness level to your menu and preference. Brut is dry and versatile, pairing well with a wide range of foods, while a sweeter Demi-Sec sparkling wine might be better suited as an aperitif or with dessert. Always check the label for clues about sweetness levels and origins to find the perfect match for your summer feast. Serving these wines chilled enhances their refreshing qualities, making them even more enjoyable on a warm summer day.

Excellent Choices for Light Summer Reds

Not a white, orange, or rosé wine person? The longstanding belief that red wines are only suited for colder months is a myth ripe for debunking, especially when considering the delight of lighter reds like Pinot Noir and Grenache during the summer.

These wines, with their bright fruit flavors, moderate tannins, and lighter body, embody the warmth and vibrancy of summer without overwhelming the palate. Pinot Noir, with its notes of ripe cherries, strawberries, and a hint of earthiness, and Grenache, often bursting with flavors of raspberry, black cherry, and spices, offer a refreshing complexity that’s surprisingly fitting for a summer evening.

When it comes to food pairings, these versatile reds shine alongside grilled meats, where the smoky flavors are complemented by the wine’s fruitiness. They’re equally compelling with hearty vegetarian options like grilled portobello mushrooms, where the wine’s body matches the dish’s meatiness. This harmony of flavors elevates the dining experience, proving that reds have a place at the summer table.

Serving Summer Reds

To maximize enjoyment of red wines during summer, a slight chill is the key. Contrary to serving them at room temperature, cooling lighter red wines to about 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit can highlight their fruit flavors and make them more refreshing. This temperature makes the wine more invigorating on a hot day, without compromising the integrity of its flavors and aromas.

The trick is to cool the bottle in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before serving. This slight chill cuts through the warmth, ensuring the wine refreshes as much as it delights, making it a perfect companion for summer evenings spent under the stars.

Wine Cocktails for a Summer Twist

Embracing wine-based cocktails is a fantastic way to add a creative and refreshing twist to summer entertaining. These drinks combine the sophistication of wine with the casual, fun atmosphere of summer gatherings. A classic Sangria is the perfect starting point, blending red, white, or rosé wine with fresh seasonal fruit, a splash of brandy or orange liqueur, and a hint of sweetness to create a drink that’s as colorful and inviting as a summer sunset.

For something effervescent, a wine Spritz, made with sparkling white wine, a dash of Aperol or elderflower liqueur, and topped with soda water, offers a lighter, bubbly option that’s both refreshing and chic. Our favorite wine-based summer cocktails, however, are the 1870 Sour and Seelbach Cocktail created by DesignDash sponsor Monogram!

1870 Sour

2 oz Rye Whiskey

1 oz Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)

¾ oz Simple Syrup

1 each Egg White

½ oz Pinot Noir

Here’s How to Make It!

1. Combine whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake vigorously until well chilled and the egg white has frothed nicely.
3. Strain into a rocks glass.
4. Slowly pour the wine over the back of a spoon to float it on top of the drink.

The Seelbach Cocktail

2 oz Bourbon 

1 oz Orange Liqueur

8 dashes Angostura Bitters

6 dashes Pechaud’s Bitters

3 oz Champagne (or your favorite sparkling wine)

1 each Orange Twist (extra-long)

Here’s How to Make It!

1. Combine Bourbon, orange liqueur and both bitters in a shaker with ice.
2. Shake well to chill the ingredients.
3. Strain into a champagne flute.
4. Top with champagne and float the orange twist garnish on top.

Each of these cocktails is not only simple to make but also allows for endless customization. Feel free to create these yourself or encourage guests to experiment with different wine varieties, fruits, and spirits. Either way, you can create a signature drink that embodies the essence of your next summer soirée.

We Leave You With Our Top Tips for Hosting a Fantastic Summer Soirée

To host a fantastic summer soiree that leaves a lasting impression, begin by curating a diverse wine selection to cater to all tastes, including sparkling, light-bodied whites, refreshing rosés, and lighter reds like Pinot Noir. Enhance the ambiance with summer-inspired décor, such as floral arrangements, light linen tablecloths, and ambient outdoor lighting like string lights or candles for evening charm. Pay meticulous attention to serving temperatures, ensuring whites and rosés are chilled and reds are slightly cooled to accentuate their flavors.

Choose the right glassware, with flutes for sparkling wines and broader glasses for reds and whites, to fully appreciate their aromas and tastes. This combination of thoughtful wine selection, enchanting décor, and attention to serving details will ensure your summer wine soirée is both elegant and enjoyable, creating a memorable experience for your guests.

Ready to host your next party? Please do send us photos (editor@designdash.com).