When the sun’s blazing and it’s 90º in the shade, that bold Cab will not cut it — it’s for bright and breezy wines. Now that summer is here, you need to adjust your wine habits to suit the hot season.  If you’re unsure about which bottles are ideal for summertime, we have a few scrumptious suggestions.

1. Riesling

Riesling is a delightful wine for summertime fun, with a sweet and light flavor that’s thrilling to sip and savor. Some varieties have a higher acidity, giving them a punchier flavor, while others are airier, with notes of pear and apple. 

One thing we love about Riesling is it’s simple or complex, depending on the bottle you pick up. With hints of guava, mango, peach, and green apple, some Rieslings have a tropical vibe that are smashing for steamy beach days. Just be sure to keep it on ice for a splashy flavor.

2. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is another beautiful summertime wine, but it isn’t as sweet as Riesling, making it ideal for those who love a refined, dry profile. It can also have tropical flavor notes, with hints of grapefruit, lemon, and white peach. 

The taste is typically deeper than that of Riesling, pairing well with cheese boards and sandwiches packed for picnics on the beach. If the acidity of Riesling is too much on your tongue, Pinot Grigio is the wine for you, offering lower acidity for a more lush, fruity flavor that acts like Riesling’s lowkey cousin. 

3. Albarino

Albarino isn’t as commonplace as Riesling or Pinot Grigio, but it still belongs on our summertime wine list. It’s a heavenly coastal wine from the Iberian Peninsula that is zippy, so get ready for a wonderful awakening.

It has a hint of saltiness that brings the stonefruit flavors to life. You’ll notice notes of honeydew melon, nectarine, saline, grapefruit, and lemon, but it’s dryer than both Riesling and Pinot Grigio. We love to pair it with summer Italian food, like burrata, bruschetta, or caprese salad. 

4. Txakoli Blanco

Txakoli Blanco is teeming with green apple, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and pear. Some even have hints of green strawberries, herbs, and flowers — namely peonies. It has a delicate fizziness, similar to some Riesling wines, tickling your tongue with a refreshing feel that cools you down in the summer heat. 

This dainty effervescence is cut with a mild saltiness that creates a well-balanced taste. The drink is lively without being too acidic or bright, and it pairs wonderfully with seafood, such as oysters, sushi, ceviche, and sautéed cod. 

5. Beaujolais

Not all summertime wines are white! Beaujolais is a light-bodied red wine that’s just as summery as any white out there. It’s created with fruity flavors like raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, but can also have earthy and floral notes with a complex, minerally taste. 

Unusual notes like banana, bramble, and potting soil make this wine stand out on the shelf. It’s a rustic red that’s dreamy and decadent on hot summer nights. Beaujolais pairs well with just about anything, whether you’re eating honeyed salmon or BBQ pulled pork. 

6. Champagne

Summer is a time for celebration, and you know what that means… Champagne! It’s easy to generalize Champagne as all sparkling wine, but it has a unique and complicated flavor profile. You can find a wide variety of Champagnes to satisfy your preferences. 

There are hints of Meyer lemon, Asian pear, green apple, plum, and lily in some. While others have a nutty, biscuit-like flavor with undertones of brioche, lemon curd, and chamomile. If you want to explore one of the world’s most beloved wines, work your way through a case (or several) of Champagne. 

7. Pinot Noir Rosé

This delicate pink Rosé is a lovely option for summer afternoons. Most bottles have a combination of strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and watermelon flavor notes, making it juicy and airy. 

You may detect hints of blood orange or grapefruit, bringing in a dazzling citrus element that sharpens the other flavors. It’s a highly versatile wine when paired with lighter dishes like fish and pasta, or bolder foods like spicy lo mein or peppered ceviche.

8. Fleurie

Fleurie wines are just as luscious as they sound. They’re an elegant-elegant wine, with an aromatic profile that consists of violets, roses, raspberries, and strawberries. Does it get more ethereal than that? 
This delicate red wine has a low acidity, making for smooth-sipping and an obvious choice for sunsets on the beach. While it is one of the lightest red wines, it has a rounded taste that leaves nothing to be desired, except perhaps a charcuterie board. It pairs well with white meat like grilled chicken, so it works for backyard barbecues and family picnics.

9. Picpoul

Picpoul is another of our off-the-beaten-path picks. The primary flavors are citrus blossoms, lemon, thyme, apple, and salt, creating a balanced and herb-y. The acidity makes a bold first impression, but the balanced profile keeps things smooth and steady.

The distinct flavor is a sumptuous option when you’re dining on fresh oysters, or enjoying top-tier sushi. Still, the layered flavor holds up beautifully on its own.

10. Vermentino

Vermentino is a lesser-known white wine that we want to highlight this summer, as it has a bright acidity and crispness that’s so refreshing on hot days. It’s truly an underrated white wine, with an interesting combination of almond, green apple, lime, and daffodil flavors, creating a floral, nutty, and fruity taste in each effervescent sip. 

It’s a wonderful alternative to Sauvignon Blanc, but with a lighter, breezier profile that’s so conducive to summertime adventures. Because it is a slightly oily wine, it’s delish with rich herbs and spices, so be sure to pair it with sausage, creamy fish dishes, or gourmand sandwiches.