Six Wines To Sip and Savor With Your Next Summer Meal

There isn’t anything that cuts through intense barbecue flavors quite like a glass of wine. If you’re looking for a pop of refreshment to go along with a summer meal, or even a wine to imbibe while lazing in the sun, we’ve got you covered. Read on for the sips that three wine professionals are turning to this summer.

Rosés and Cool Reds

“In the height of summer, I'd suggest the refreshingly fruited rosé wines from Provence. A customer favorite is the MiP (short for "Made in Provence") Rosé 2020 from Domaine des Diables in Provence. It has been a hit with our clients for well over a decade now. What's more important though is that it goes above and beyond the ordinary pink you find from the area. This is a head above the rest with great fruit and freshness on the palate.

A chillable red wine that's medium in body and goes hand-in-hand with grilled chicken, sausage or steak is a Sicilian red wine from the Gulfi winery. It's called Cerasuolo di Vittoria which is an area in the southeast of the island. This is made from a blend of local grapes called Frappato and Nero d'Avola. If you were to beam yourself to the winery today, they would pair the wine (chilled) with meats or sausages on the grill. So, follow the Sicilian's lead and you won't be disappointed.”

— Lorena Ascencios, wine buyer, Astor Wines & Spirits in New York

Deeper Reds for Boldly Flavored Dishes

“Olivier Cousin’s Pur Breton is a Cabernet Franc that combines rich, velvety fruit with a refreshingly light finish on the palate. It is the perfect pairing for any bold, crusty char coming straight off the grill.

Additionally, if looking for more of a distinctive dark rose / light red, Nino Barraco’s Rosammare, made from Nero D’Avola, has a seductive energy with its crushed, frozen raspberry essence that would be the perfect accompaniment to a summer evening. It’s a true pleasure to enjoy Barraco’s wine, slightly chilled, while eating a grilled peach with your toes in the grass.”

— Jean-Paul Gilbert, Diversey Wine in Chicago

Fizzy Favorites

“Summer is in full swing and we couldn’t be more excited about seeing our friend’s and family’s faces at small backyard parties. Podador Vinho Verde, which means ‘green wine and is from Portugal, has refreshing notes of passion fruit and white melon. Citrusy with a light fizz, it’s the perfect all-day sipping wine, especially with a nice cheese platter or crisp salad. It just might become your go-to BBQ and party wine.

And if red is your thing, the delicious Pronto Secco, a fizzy and bright Lambrusco from Italy’s Lombardy region, is the perfect wine anytime you are firing up the grill. Crisp cherries and cranberries, lovely balsamic notes, refreshing and dry. Enjoy it with hamburgers, hotdogs and charcuterie.”

— Alvaro Cardenas, owner, Wine Stop DTLA in Los Angeles

Thank you to our guest experts for elevating our palates just in time for the height of grilling season!

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