By TOM MARQUARDT and PATRICK DARR
Now that we’re fully into summer, with heat making us uncomfortable, it’s time to think of wine as a refreshing drink to pair with lighter fare. Serious, tannic wines such as cabernet sauvignon do little to quench the thirst yet still serve as the proper foil to grilled steak served in air-conditioned comfort. But if you’re headed outdoors, think white.
Many of you prefer chardonnay—we like it too. But it’s easy to fall into a rut with not only the same grape variety but also the same producer. Looking for something different? We have assembled a collection of 15 stellar wine wines—chardonnay and sauvignon blanc excluded—that serve as good aperitifs or are versatile enough to complement cheese, a vegetable platter or seafood on the grill.
Big Salt Oregon White Table Wine 2025 ($19). Recently acquired by Jackson Family Wines, this producer has a hit with this exotic blend of riesling, gewurztraminer, muscat and pinot blanc. Fresh acidity with citrus and stone fruit notes, a mineral finish and loads of aromatics.
La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris 2024 ($20). This is a fresh and lively expression of the popular pinot gris grape variety. It makes for a good sipper on those summer days on the patio or a good complement to shrimp or grilled chicken.
Ehlers Estate Sylviane Napa Valley 2024 ($50). This is a firm statement that the heat is upon us. 24% Semillon is added to Sauvignon Blanc to make an incredibly aromatic wine with orange blossom and tea notes. The palate is loaded with apricots and peaches with a lemon, mineral finish. Great texture.
Alma Rosa El Jabali Pinot Blanc Sta. Rita Hills 2024 ($40). Unique melon and citrus flavors with brisk acidity and subtle mineral notes.
Bouchaine Alsatian Blend 2024 ($50). Wow, what an exotic blend of Alsatian grapes pinot gris, pinot blanc, riesling and gewurztraminer. The winemaker uses an assortment of vessels—concrete egg for the pinot gris, clay amphora for riesling and gewuztraminer, and neutral oak for the pinot blanc—to extract the best of each variety. Great texture and tension with floral, citrus aromas and generous pear, melon and stone fruit flavors.
Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Blanc de Tablas 2024 ($70). This exotic, Rhone-style blend of roussanne, grenache blanc, picpoul and bourboulenc is the perfect mix for spring fare. Roussanne gives the wine a smooth mouthfeel, while the grenache blanc adds bright acidity. Tablas Creek is a partnership between Robert Haas and the Perrin family associated with Château Beaucastel. During a recent visit to their Paso Robles operation, we were impressed by many of their wines. The 2025 Vermentino ($35) is full of citrus and mineral notes—perfect for summer foods.
Bodegas Shaya Verdejo Rueda 2024 ($15). An organic, vegan white wine from Spain’s Rueda region, this crisp and lively verdejo has green apple and citrus notes with a dash of mineral. It makes for a good sipper on a hot day or a wine to pair with light food. The grapes come from old bush vines planted in sandy soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness.
Latitud 42 Blanco 2021 Rioja ($13). Made from viura grapes, this spunky wine has pear and pineapple notes with good acidity to ward off summer heat.
Tenuta Olianas Vermentino 2025 ($21). Fresh citrus notes and warm texture make this an ideal wine to share with a plate of cheese.
Vale do Bomfim White 2023 ($15). This off-the-wall Portuguese blend of viosinho, rabigato, gouvelo and arinto is wonderfully aromatic and citrusy.
A to Z Pinot Gris 2024 ($16). Bright citrus fruit and simplicity make this a good sipper.
Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc 2024 ($30). There is enough body and acidity to make this a wine to pair with grill pork or chicken. Very aromatic with herbal and citrus notes.
Pasqua Passione Sentimento Veneto Bianco 2023 ($20). Made from garganega grapes, this treat has effusive citrus aromas followed by peach flavors.
Brassfield Estate Pinot Gris 2024 ($22). Beautiful apple and stone fruit notes with a bright mineral thread. Nicely textured.
Early Mountain Petit Manseng Virginia 2023 ($65). More evidence that this grape is a superstar in Virginia. Fragrant floral notes with smooth peach elements and an elegant finish.
Red
If you prefer red for summer drinking, look for something light- or medium-bodied that can be slightly chilled. Here are some possibilities:
Tenuta Olianas Cannonau 2024 ($23). Also known as grenache, cannonau is a perfect wine to serve with light fare. It can be easily chilled. Simple, young and red fruit character
Mezzacorona Dinotte Red Blend Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2022 ($16). From vineyards in the Dolomite Mountains, this wine captures the verve of Northern Italy’s alpine terroir. The teroldego grapes offer structure, the marzemino grapes give the wine a juicy lift and the merlot adds mouthfeel and vanilla notes.
Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas 2024 ($40). Grenache, syrah, counoise and mourvedre go into this light but versatile blend much like you would find in a Cotes du Rhone. Fresh and vibrant red fruit with a dollop of spice and an earthy mouthfeel.
Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG 2022 ($26). Made entirely from sangiovese, this wine from southern Tuscany is incredibly delicious. Generous violet aromas with black cherry and plum flavors. Hints of vanilla bean and licorice.
Pasqua Passione Sentimento Romeo & Juliete Rosso Veneto IGT 2021 ($15). This excellent value, an inspiration of the famous love story, is a fruity blend of merlot, corvina and croatine grapes that undergo a unique drying process to reduce about 30 percent of their water content. The result is more intense and complex wine that shows off a velvety character and deep red fruit flavors.
Wine picks
Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia 2020 ($40). There are more current vintages on the market, but this is the one we recently found. Highlighted by barrel-fermentation notes and oak, it has that delicious character. Peach and ripe apple notes.
Garofoli Piancarda Blu Rosso Conero DOC 2023 ($21). The estate’s oldest single-vineyard wines, this montepuliciano is simple but well made with steady red fruit flavors.
Bodegas Juan Gil Vino Silver Organic Monastrell 2026 ($18). You get a lot for your money in this extraordinary monastrell (mourvedre) from Spain’s Jumilla region. Generous red currant and strawberry aromas followed by ripe red fruit flavors with layers of spice. All the wines from this producer are great values.
H&B Rosé Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence 2025 ($25). We’ve enjoyed this rosé over the years. The initials stand for Hecht & Bannier and the tasty blend consists of grenache, cinsault and vermentino. White peach and citrus notes abound.
Disclaimer
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer
AI Content Policy.
To provide our readers with timely and comprehensive coverage, South Florida Reporter uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in producing certain articles and visual content.
Articles: AI may be used to assist in research, structural drafting, or data analysis. All AI-assisted text is reviewed and edited by our team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards.
Images: Any imagery generated or significantly altered by AI is clearly marked with a disclaimer or watermark to distinguish it from traditional photography or editorial illustrations.
General Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service. In no event shall South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service.
The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice. The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.
