The 13 Best Wines to Drink in Summer 2023

Warm temps and wine sipping go hand in hand. Although we love indulging our obsession with vino year-round, there’s something extra special about popping bottles beneath the sun. However, not all wines cry out to be sipped in the summertime.

Not sure what we mean? Not to worry. The simple trifecta to pursue is high minerality, low tannins, and tons of thirst-quenching acid. Sunny summer weather screams for something refreshing, and wines with high alcohol or high levels of tannin will likely come off as tasting too heavy for scorching weather. So which regions, varieties, and producers are the best picks?

We tasted, tested, and spoke with a handful of reputable industry vets to narrow down the best wines to drink for the summer. Here are our expert picks on the best bottles to pop beneath the sun.

The Rundown

Best Overall:

Clos de la Roilette Fleurie at Wine.com

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Best White:

Graci Etna Bianco at Vivino

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Best Red:

Raúl Pérez Mencia at Wine.com

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Best Rosé:

Bedrock Ode to Lulu Rosé at Drizly

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Best Under $20:

Loimer Lois Grüner Veltliner at Drizly

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Best Dry:

Bachelet-Monnot Bourgogne Blanc at Drizly

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Best Sweet:

Michele Chiarlo Moscato d’Asti Nivole at Drizly

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Best Sparkling:

Dhondt-Grellet Blanc de Blancs premier Cru at Vivino

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Best for Cookouts:

Clos des Papes Châteauneuf-du-Pape at Wine.com

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Best for Picnics:

Meinklang "Prosa" Rosé at Vivino

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Courtesy of Vivino

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Region: Beaujolais, France | ABV: 13% | Tasting Notes: Strawberries, Cranberries, Smoke

When it comes to inspired summer sipping, Beaujolais delivers all the goods and proves it's not just for Thanksgiving anymore. These refreshing red wines, made from the Gamay grape and often light enough to be served chilled, are marked by fruit-forwardness and high acid.

This classic example from Clos de la Roilette is loaded with flavors of fresh-picked strawberries, cherries, cranberries, and a touch of smoky earth. “For [summer] reds, I tend to gravitate to a slightly chilled Beaujolais, probably a Fleurie with all of its effusive aromatics,” says Lauren McPhate, Director of Sales at New York-based Tribeca Wines.

Over in California, Lexi Jones, Co-founder of Argaux and Director of Imports at Amlière Imports, shares similar sentiments. “A warm summer night begs for a burger on the grill and Beaujolais in my glass,” she says. “With a slight chill, [Beaujolais] brings me all the bright, juicy red fruit I am looking for. It’s the most perfect wine to wash down a big bite.”

Courtesy of Wine Access

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Region: Sicily, Italy | ABV: 13% | Tasting Notes: Lemon, Honey, Smoke

Whites grown in volcanic soil check all of our boxes for summer sipping: they’re mineral-driven, they’re textured, and they’re unbelievably laden with acid. Spearheaded by Aiello Graci, this namesake estate is located on the northern slope of Mount Etna and is dedicated to organic farming, using limited intervention in the cellar, and working exclusively with indigenous grape varieties like Carricante and Catarratto. This layered Etna Bianco feels like it's jumping out of the glass with flavors of lemon juice, green apple skin, honey, and smoke.

“For me, summer is all about fun and accessibility,” says Lauren McPhate of Tribeca Wines. “I love a crisp Etna Bianco; something about that volcanic tension and energy is just perfect on a hot summer day.” McPhate cites the wines of Graci and Passopisciaro as some of her top picks.

Courtesy of York Cellars

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Region: (Bierzo) Castilla y León, Spain | ABV: 14% | Tasting Notes: Cherries, Violets, Underbrush

This varietal Mencia from legendary Spanish winemaker Raúl Pérez is one of the best quality-to-price ratio bottles on our summer list. Crafted in the heart of Bierzo from organically-farmed fruit, this old vine delight is loaded with juicy notes of red and black fruits, violets, cherries, and underbrush. If you love New World Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc, this wine will be right up your alley.

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Region: California, USA | ABV: 12.8% | Tasting Notes: Red fruit, Citrus rind, Stones

As much as we love rosé from Provence, this old world-inspired juice from California hits the summer bullseye. Named for the irreplaceable vigneronne at Domaine Tempier (Lulu Peyraud), this mourvedre-based rosé delights with flavors of bright red fruits, citrus rind, and stony minerality. Relatively low alcohol and restrained flavors make this stuff perfect for sipping all day long.

Courtesy of Wine.com

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Region: Niederösterreich, Austria | ABV: 12% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, Lemongrass, White pepper

Who says that delicious summer sippers need to break the bank? This zesty grüner veltliner from Loimer is produced from organic and biodynamically-farmed fruit in the heart of Austria’s Niederösterreich region. Flavors of green apple, citrus, lemongrass, and white pepper boldly assert themselves on the wine’s vibrant palate. This wine is basically summer in a glass!

Courtesy of Verve Wine

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Region: Burgundy, France | ABV: 13.5% | Tasting Notes: Green apple, Citrus, Flint

We’d really never say no to a glass of white Burgundy, though something about it hits differently in the summertime. This refreshing, bone dry wine from Bachelet-Monnot is a steal for the price. Expect punchy flavors of green apple and citrus, flinty minerality, and a touch of oak to lead to a lasting, mouth-coating finish.

Jones cites white Burgundy with salmon and vegetables on the grill as one of her favorite summer pairings, with Bachelet-Monnot’s Bourgogne Blanc at the top of her list. (For an additional and equally delicious white Burgundy pairing, Jones recommends Domaine Rougeot’s Aligoté ‘Les Plumes’ Sans Sulfites Ajouté with cheesy white pizza.)

Total Wine

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Region: Piedmont, Italy | ABV: 5% | Tasting Notes: Canned peaches, Pear, Apricot

Looking to add a touch of sweetness to your summer soiree? This fruit-driven moscato d’Asti from Michele Chiarlo is a great place to start. The wine’s frothy palate oozes with flavors of canned peaches, pears, apricot skin, and a touch of melon. Pleasant fizziness promises to keep your palate salivating for more—and at just 5% alcohol, you won’t feel guilty enjoying a second glass.

Courtesy of Vivino

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Region: Champagne, France | ABV: 12% | Tasting Notes: Citrus, Grilled nuts, Flint

There’s never a bad time for Champagne, and summer picnics, cookouts, and nights spent around the fire are no exception. Produced at the hands of Adrien Dhondt, this organic and biodynamically-farmed Champagne comes from Premier Cru sites around the Côte des Blancs. Rich and intense flavors of citrus, grilled nuts, and flint lead to a refreshing, long-lasting finish.

“The best way to kick off [a summer] night is with a fun bottle of something bubbly,” says McPhate. “Recently, I've been digging growers like Etienne Calsac and Adrien Dhondt, but you can't go wrong with tried and true classics like Egly-Ouriet or Selosse for a special night.” McPhate cites Champagne and lobster rolls as one of her essential summer pairings.

Courtesy of Vivino

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Region: Rhône Valley, France | ABV: 15% (approx.) | Tasting Notes: Black fruits, Smoky wood, Pepper

Contrary to popular belief, powerhouse reds can be perfect for summer sipping, particularly when backyard barbecue favorites are on the table. For juicy burgers and grilled red meats, we can’t think of a better pick than this high-octane wine from Paul Avril. Expect dark and dense flavors of black fruits, raisins, smoky wood, and pepper decorating this wine’s concentrated and lengthy palate. Serve slightly chilled and sip with food! This bottle packs a serious punch.

“Summer is all about the BBQ, and Chateauneuf-du-Pape is my go-to for summer grilling," exclaims McPhate. "Clos des Papes and burgers by the pool!”

Astor Wines

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Region: Burgenland, Austria | ABV: 10.5% | Tasting Notes: Strawberries, Peach skin, Crushed rocks

Fizzy pét-nats and picnics go hand in hand, and this pick from Meinklang has become one of our favorites. Produced from a blend of Pinot Noir, Blaufränkisch, and Zweigelt, this ultra-refreshing rosé is loaded with flavors of strawberries, peach skin, citrus, and crushed rocks. At just 10.5% ABV, this bottle is perfect for daytime sipping in the park, backyard brunch gatherings with friends, and more. Bring on the bubbles!

“The 'easy drinking' and 'refreshing' aspects of pét-nats are always attractive to me for summer sipping,” explains Kristin Watts of Zéphyr Sélections. “Pét-nats also offer many variations within their own theme, as they are made from a plethora of grape varieties and show varying levels of funky fun,” Watts notes that the generally lower ABVs of pét-nats is also a plus when it comes to warm weather sipping and longer days of imbibing.

Courtesy of Vivino

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Region: Champagne, France | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: White fruits, Citrus, Sea salt

Remember when we said there’s never a bad time for Champagne? This statement especially rings true when seafood favorites are on the table. Whether it's lobster rolls, shellfish towers, or simple shrimp cocktails on the menu, there’s no better pick than a bottle of bubbles. Jones recommends this delicious offering from Delavenne, crafted in the village of Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims. Mineral-driven flavors of white fruits, citrus, and coarse sea salt highlight an elegant and refreshing sipping experience, as well as complimenting the natural freshness and salinity in summer seafood favorites.

“My favorite 'never gets old' summer pairing is Champagne and oysters,” reveals Jones. “Champagne Delavenne Brut Nature screams minerality and salinity. Given that this wine is made from grapes grown in soil composed of decomposed oyster shells, it only makes sense to order a dozen and pop a bottle!"

Courtesy of Vivino

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Region: Txakolina (Basque Country), Spain | ABV: 11% | Tasting Notes: Lemon zest, Chalk, Sea salt

Don’t let the name scare you away. This spritzy white wine from Ameztoi comes from Txakolina (chalk-oh-lee-na), located in the heart of Spain’s Basque Country. Refreshing, restrained, and relatively low in alcohol, this blend of Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza bursts forth with flavors of green apple, lemon zest, chalk, and sea salt. Lean, bone dry, and laden with acid, this palate-cleansing wine is ideal for sipping poolside with fried snacks, hummus, or Asian takeout favorites.

courtesy of HEB.com

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Region: Central Coast, California | ABV: 12.5% | Tasting Notes: Lime zest, Pink grapefruit, Strawberry, Watermelon

The beach, with all of its sensory distractions commanding one's attention—crashing waves, screeching seagulls, someone upwind of you shaking the sand off their towel—is not exactly the ideal location for a serious wine tasting. Accordingly, we recommend that your any bottle you select for beach consumption should be light, breezy, refreshing, and uncomplicated. The Summer Water rosé, hailing from parcels in California's Central Coast but inspired by the great rosés of southern France, is composed of grenache and syrah that were harvested early to retain higher acid levels. The result is a playful and elegant wine boasting flavors of rose petal, stone fruit, and strawberry—a delightful summer rosé that will enhance your enjoyment of your seaside locale without demanding your full and undivided attention.

Final Verdict

When it comes to summer sipping, acidity is key: wines laden with natural acidity offer refreshment that can't be found in their broader, softer cousins. Chillable reds from Beaujolais are some of our current favorites and Clos de la Roilette is a fantastic producer. Crisp whites from Etna, Burgundy, and the salty seashores of Spain offer instant mental escapes to exotic, far away places—and when sipping beneath the heat, you can never go wrong with a lean rosé from sunny California.

FAQs

How do you keep wine cool in summer?

We recommend chilling your bottles in the refrigerator or cooler prior to popping them for maximum enjoyment. Thirty minutes in the back of the fridge should bring your wine to ideal serving temperature, although a five-minute plunge in ice-filled water is even more efficient. Although it may be easier, we don’t recommend adding ice cubes to the wine itself, as this dilutes the wine and costs you precious flavor.

Which wine is best for summer, red or white?

While common sense would suggest that white = cold and cold = refreshing, it’s really a matter of preference. More and more wine fans are chilling their light-bodied reds these days, making both red and white wines ideal for summer sipping. Regardless of color, we recommend choosing something with high levels of acidity and low levels of tannins (in red wines), as these bottles will likely keep you more refreshed than those with lower levels of acid and high levels of tannins.

Why Trust Liquor.com?

This roundup was edited by Jesse Porter, who has worked as a sommelier at numerous California restaurants featuring excellent wine programs. His perfect summer wine is bright, crisp, a tiny bit salty, and ideally will have a sailboat on the label.

Vicki Denig's writing has appeared in Decanter, Departures, Food & Wine, and Wine Enthusiast. She has contributed to Liquor.com since 2020. Splitting her time between New York and Paris, she is a certified wine specialist and has worked in the wine trade since 2013.

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