10 Favorite Summertime Wines

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Though many choose to enjoy frozen cocktails to beat the heat during the summer months, there is nothing better than a refreshing wine to sip poolside, or pair with a perfectly grilled meal al fresco. LuxeGetaways had curated this collection with 10 of our favorite summertime wines that you are sure to love, while supporting these world-class U.S. wineries. Enjoy your summer, and these thirst-quenching wines!

Firesteed 2018 Pinot Gris

Oregon’s Willamette Valley is a premier region for Pinot Noir, but its light-skinned cousin Pinot Gris also grows beautifully in the favorable climate and soils. Firesteed avoids heavy-handed winemaking with this Pinot Gris so the abundant varietal fruit character is on full display. This crisp, delightful wine has melon and citrus aromas that meld with flavors of tropical fruit, citrus and Bosque pear. Mouthwatering and enticing, its bright acidity and broad texture entwine throughout the wine’s lingering finish.

Gary Farrell 2018 Sauvignon Blanc

This juicy, refreshing Sauvignon Blanc comes from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma County. The true character of the grape and region shines through as a result of the majority of fermentation in stainless steel tanks to accentuate the nature of the Sauvignon Blanc grape. On the nose, it shows abundant aromas of citrus and lemongrass, while the palate is bright and lively with hints of mineral and a lovely finish. An eminently balanced and vibrant wine that is perfect for the summer.

Stinson 2017 Sauvignon Blanc

This lovely wine from Virginia is well worth searching out as it shows the heights this region can achieve with fine wine. Working with an outstanding vintage characterized by dry, sunny days and cool nights that allowed for unhurried flavor development on the vine, the winery crafted a particularly expressive wine with notes of white peach and heady floral aromas. Aging on the yeast in tanks after fermentation provided an appealing dimension of complexity and texture to this expressive and refreshing wine.

Jordan 2017 Chardonnay

This is a Chardonnay for people who say they don’t like Chardonnays because they are too big and buttery. It’s got the perfect balance of bright stone fruit, citrus and acidity. It’s elegant and light enough to please Sancerre and Sauvignon Blanc lovers, which also makes it very versatile with food. It will not overpower salads or seafood raw bar favorites like many fuller-bodied Chardonnays, and it will also create a nice contrast of flavors with richer seafood, such as sea bass and salmon. The wine’s acidity and oak nuances can complement grilled chicken dishes and pasta with cream sauce. The crisp, citrusy finish makes you want to take another sip.

B.R. Cohn 2018 Rosé

Sourced primarily from the cooler climate Russian River Valley, this mouth-watering rosé is made from Grenache (80%) and Zinfandel (20%), which provide fragrant aromas and bright fruit character. At harvest, these red grapes are brought into the press and rotated until just the right pink hue is achieved. The grapes skins are then pressed from the juice, which is then fermented at a cool temperature to maintain the delicate aromatics. Floral aromas with hints of citrus are evident, while the palate has beautiful notes of strawberry and peach.

Fort Ross 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir

Fort Ross Vineyard is a Pinot Noir specialist, and each year they do a limited-production release of rosé made from Pinot Noir grown at their estate vineyard. This gorgeous wine has vibrant fresh aromatic notes of peach and watermelon and is dry and crisp on the palate. It was aged in neutral French oak barrels for complexity, and it has a lovely mineral character. It’s a very versatile summertime wine, perfect for picnics and al fresco dining.

Clos Pegase 2018 Rosé

This stunning rosé is made from Malbec grapes grown at the winery’s estate vineyard in the Carneros region of Napa Valley. Malbec is most commonly made into a heartier red wine, but in this case, careful winemaking has captured some of the fragrant aromas in a lighter style rosé wine that is delightfully refreshing. It has beautiful floral notes with hints of strawberry and rhubarb, while the palate shows citrus and tropical fruit character with a crisp finish.

Biltmore Reserve Rosé

Biltmore cultivates a number of varietals in their beautiful estate vineyards, and each season they aim to craft Biltmore Reserve wines that reflect the distinctive terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains. According to Sharon Fenchak, Biltmore winemaker, the only wines considered for the Biltmore Reserve label are those handcrafted from grapes grown in Biltmore’s own estate vineyard and by our North Carolina partners. By law, wines with an appellation and vintage date must contain at least 75% of grapes from the specific region in the year noted. “Our Biltmore Reserve Rosé 2018 is crafted from select North Carolina Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes,” noted Sharon. “We’ve coaxed beautiful color and subtle complexity from the fruit, creating layered aromas plus flavors of red berries, tropical fruits, and a hint of spice.”

Anaba 2018 Late Harvest Viognier

Late harvest wines have been called the nectar of the gods, and this one is no exception. As the name suggests, the grapes are allowed to ripen on the vine long after harvest for most other grapes is complete. This allows a high natural sweetness to develop, along with very concentrated flavors and aromas. This wine has gorgeous floral aromatics and nice texture, along with flavors of ripe pear, plum and peach. Balancing natural acidity makes this a refreshingly sweet wine that could serve as dessert itself.

Mumm Napa Cuvee M

Cuvee M is a Sec-style sparkling wine from this acclaimed Napa Valley winery. With a wonderful hint of sweetness, Sec wines are ideal for a hot summer day, as they are balanced by natural acidity that makes for a mouth-watering sip. Made primarily from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, it also has smaller amounts of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Gris for complexity and character. The graceful stream of fine bubbles is evident in the glass, followed by aromas of peach, strawberry and vanilla and a long, satisfying finish.

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