Wines for a Summer Night or Day

The most wonderful thing about the summer season is that there is truly a wine for every occasion. Whether you are enjoying a light al fresco lunch with friends, a beachside happy hour, or a backyard barbecue, you really cannot go wrong with what you pour in your glass. Here are four different wines to pair with any type of summer activity, so you can find a new favorite no matter what you are up to. 

For a light lunch, there is nothing better to pair alongside than bubbles, and even better a Rosé bubbly. The Clover Hill Tasmanian Cuvee Rosé hails from Tasmania, Australia. The island has a cool climate that is perfectly suited for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. These grapes successes have put Tasmania on the map for stellar sparkling wines and the Clover Hill is one of them. In the glass, the wine is an idyllic salmon pink color. The nose has aromas of red berries, dried strawberries, and dark cherry. The palate has similar flavors of vibrant berries with a creamy mousse and persistent bubbles. The finish is dry with a mouth-watering acidity that makes it a perfect accompaniment to salads topped with goat cheese or a savory sandwich. 

To find a wine for an oyster happy hour, we traveled virtually to Burgundy, France. Chablis is the epicenter of the crisp, refreshing Chardonnay. It is the soil of Chablis that makes it an ideal pairing for oysters (or any mollusk) as it is quite literally crushed seashells from the Jurassic period. Any Chablis will be delightful, but the William Fevre Chablis Domaine 2020 is exceptional. In the glass, you will find a pale lemon hue with aromas of lemon, lime, and yellow apple. The palate is a mirror image of the nose with an added sense of minerality and texture. 

For a day on a boat, you will want to have a glass of rosé (or two!), but instead of reaching for something classic from Provence, use this opportunity to sail into a new favorite. Austrian rosé is the world’s best-kept secret but just as rosé has become increasingly popular throughout the world, it is hard to keep some of its greats out of the spotlight. Like other great wine-producing countries, Austria offers a wide range of rosé wines, from delicate to bold and powerful. The Schloss Gobelsburg Schlosskellerei Cistercien Rosé 2022 may just become your seafaring favorite as it is perfectly light and balanced. In the glass, you will find clean aromas of fresh berries, dried red roses, and wild cherries. The palate is fresh and smooth with a calm acidity and simple mouthfeel. It is an optimal selection for all types of foods, even the turkey sandwich tucked away in your cooler. 

A backyard barbeque is as quintessentially American as baseball. Whether you are grilling up chicken, steak, or hamburgers and hotdogs, you will need a summer red (that is delightful is slightly chilled). The Central Coast of California is a pioneer in new world reds and has a warmer climate that produces fine Zinfandel and Pinot Noir. The pinot vines of the area pre-date Prohibition which results in fuller bodied pinots. The Eden Rift Estate Pinot Noir 2018 has a deep ruby hue and a bouquet of wild blackberry, pomegranate, violets, and spiced cranberry aromas. The finish is round, smooth, and balanced with a touch of acidity. 

No matter what you’re up to this summer, there is a wine for the occasion at Wine at Five, G. Griffin Wine & Spirits, Zachy’s, and Harrison Wine Vault. 

Cheers!