Summer is here and the heat is pretty intense, would you agree? Between all the states I work in, summer has been showing up since May however, now that it’s officially July, and we’re deep into summer, it’s time to concentrate on some fun warm weather worthy wines. Sure, these wines can easily take you through fall, but if you’re looking for some delicious sips to enjoy outdoors, these are some of the top I am tasting this summer and loving!

Abbazia Di Novella 2023 Sylvaner & Grüner Veltliner– Nestled in the picturesque Valle Isarco of Alto Adige, within the Brixen Valley Basin, Abbazia di Novacella has been making amazing wines for over 900 years! The region’s cool temperatures and light moraine soils create the perfect environment for cultivating Kerner, Sylvaner, Riesling, and Grüner Veltliner grape varieties. These conditions yield fresh, fruity white wines with crisp acidity and distinctive character. The Sylvaner is beautifully fresh and well-known in the region as well as all over the world. Apple, pear, and fresh aromatic herbs make this wine ideal with your favorite summer salads, seafood, sunsets, and so much more. The Grüner Veltliner is deeply rooted in the history of this region and with its notes of green apple, white pepper, and grapefruit, it’s a true winner for summer! $24.99

2022 DiamAndes Perlita Chardonnay- A fun one from Argentina matured in stainless steel to preserve all the fresh fruit. High altitude vineyards give great acidity while notes of peach make this wine really dance on your palate. It’s fresh and vibrant, delicate and precise. Overall it’s a delicious sipper and will pair with pretty much anything you want to pair it with this summer! $17.99

2023 Mendes & Symington’s Contacto Alvarinho– One of Portugal’s oldest Port producing families, has joined forces and teamed up with the iconic Portuguese winemaker, Anselmo Mendes to offer a range of Alvarinho wines from the historic estate: Casa de Rodas, as well as the renowned Contacto brand! The name of the wine, Contacto, refers to the grape skins in contact with the must to add layers of flavor and complexity to the finished wine. It’s a very cool wine and ideal for summer if you want to have fun, drink something delicious, and impress your friends at the same time. It’s floral and delicate and has a 3 month minimum on the lees giving it nice complexity and with the bright citrus… this is a one of a kind wine!  $22

2023 Jean-Luc Colombo Cape Bleue Rosé-  Cape Bleue Rosé features a beautiful balance of Syrah and Mourvèdre harvested in mid-August from stony, limestone forward vineyards in France. This is a rosé boasting elegance with a pale pink color. I have loved this wine for many years and write about it almost every single roundup because it’s consistently delicious and readily available. The nose is fresh with notes of strawberries, bing cherries, and raspberries. Enjoy with a classic Margherita flatbread by the pool or a hearty duck breast with cherry sauce by the fire to create a harmonious flavor profile! $15.99

 

2023 Bertani Bertarosé : Bertarose is a historic Bertani wine produced since the 1930s; today, it is made from a classic blend of Corvina, Molinara, Corvinone, and Rondinella. This is another one I love to feature because I simply love Italian wines and also Bertani. Bertani is on my bucket list to visit in the region but until then, I can sip through the glass! Granted, I have visited the Lake Garda Area and Valpolicella, just not this winery… The result of this beautiful wine is a well-balanced rosé with fresh aromas of berries and spices. It’s also one I like to enjoy around fall too with butternut squash, but for summer it goes so well with grilled salmon, summer squash, and seafood!  $17.99

 

2023 Planeta Rosé: Another Italian favorite to love from the sea to the hills, the Planeta family has vineyards across Sicily. A beautiful blend of Syrah and Nero d’Avola showcase the complexity of Southern Italy and all the romance that comes with this wine. This lovely rosé is lively and fresh on the palate, with lasting notes of meringue and peach, it’s ideal for a cheese board. This wine is my go-to when the girls come over because it’s a perfect match for summer afternoon snacks like smoked chicken wings, charcuterie, and wood fired pizza! $20.99

 

 

2023 Saget La Perrière “La Petite Perrière” Rosé: A beautiful bargain with history and generations of the Saget family that have worked to create this signature rosé crafted with Pinot Noir. Most of the grapes are grown in France’s Loire Valley which is known for their biodiversity, fruit, and freshness. I love a good Loire Valley wine and you should too, they’re light, fruity, approachable, and pair-able with all your favorite summer foods. This wine is boasting with notes of sour cherry, gooseberry, and spiciness that will leave you thirsty for more. For this wine think creaminess such as cauliflower soup, baked brie, or bacon wrapped goat cheese stuffed figs!   $13.99
2023 Côté Mas Aurore Rosé: Always a favorite for its approachability and price! About a decade ago I had the pleasure of meeting the winemaker in NYC for an incredible lunch and fell in love with these wines. I have loved them ever since and feature them in many of my tastings. Innovation and a passion for France’s Languedoc drove Jean-Claude Mas to craft this beautiful blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Syrah. Their vineyards are made of clay and limestone soil, which creates complexity and minerality thats playful in these wines. The area is known for a warm Mediterranean climate, which brings freshness into the wine with red fruit and floral aromas evolving toward soft candied fruit notes. This is my go-to for backyard parties, sushi nights, and everything in between… it’s a sipper for any season, any time of day (after 11am of course).  $12.49
2023 Conde Valdemar Rosé– From Rioja, this Spanish Rosado: The Conde Valdemar Rosé is a delicate pale style of rosé wine made from a blend of the red Garnacha grape and the white Viura grape. I don’t find many Spanish rosés here in Tennessee but you absolutely find them more available in NYC and this wine is one to find and appreciate. It display’s wonderful fresh aromas of berries, ripe fruit, and some minerality. On the palate it is gentle, subtle, and fruity with well-balanced acidity. This is a great brunch wine with smoked fish, salads and mediterranean cuisine. I also love this one with some polenta, mortadella, and of course the traditional Spanish Tapas such as Manchego Cheese and Pan Con Tomate! $13.99+
2023 Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Rosé– Oh Dr. Konstantin Frank how I love thee! I absolutely fell head over heels for the riesling’s from this winery which has a lot of German influence family wise and winemaking wise. This rosé is a perfect blend of 50% Pinot Noir, 35% Cabernet Franc, 6.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6.5% Merlot, 2% Pinot Meunier. It has beauty, it has grace, it’s elegant, and so delicious! This wine can stand up to spicy Thai, slow cooked Mexican cuisine, or even something as simple as grilled chicken maybe with a little citrus dressing or even a tangy bbq sauce. It’s a great medium bodied wine that can be enjoyed during summer and fall! $18.99

2023 Saracina Rosé of Grenache: From the heart of Mendocino County, CA comes Saracina’s Rosé of Grenache. I have featured this wine a few times in my roundup’s because I love CA wines and especially love to share them with all of you! Grown on sustainably farmed vineyards that are home to 140-year-old olive trees, vegetable gardens, beehives, and local birds and wildlife. Once I knew there were olive trees around, I become more in love… because well, this Olive Oil Sommelier is a bit obsessed now with Groves and how they grow together with vineyards! This lovely rosé encompasses clean and crisp red berry notes, with a long, lively finish. This wine easily pairs well with grilled fish, meats, and cold summer soups! $19.99

2022 Hahn Family Cabernet Sauvignon- A fun summer red thats ideal for a bbq! The nose is bright and full of red fruit and spice while the palate boasts hints of vanilla, blackberry, and blueberry pie. It’s a great everyday wine, at an ideal price point to bring to a host/hostess or as mentioned for a fun backyard party. It’s easy and approachable and great for cooler summer nights. $15.99

2021 Franciscan Estate Cabernet Sauvignon- A fun and juicy cabernet from California. Another great everyday wine to enjoy with friends, around a fire pit, with some grilled steaks, or even a giant meat lovers pizza! Dark cherry, toasted caramel, and sourced from some fine vineyards in California, this red is great for those looking for something fruit forward but not overdone. It’s a bold wine, it’s a bit in your face but also is complimented by the subtle oak. This is a great burger wine and ideal to bring over to a backyard bbq! $15.99

2022 DiamAndes Perlita Rosado- A final rosé that I just had to share with you from Argentina. The white mentioned above I love but this rosado also spoke to me so it had to make it into the roundup as well. Great red fruit notes such as raspberries and a tanginess that’s truly addicting. This is a guaranteed summer palate pleasing wine that you can easily find in many stores. It’s stylish, sip-able, and pairs well with many cuisines. $17.99

Now that you have a great list of wines to pair with your favorite summer foods it’s time to go out, grab a bottle or three, and share on your social media what you’re pairing! Be sure to tag me @SommInTheCity as I love to see my readers and their pairings.

Always remember, eat what you like and drink what you love. Please pair responsibly!