The Top 15 Wines of Summer

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The lazy, hazy days of summer are almost upon us, but before you settle into your beach chair, make sure your fridge is stocked with wines for the season. Total Wine & More has got you covered with their  Summer Hot Wine List. These are their most-requested, best-selling bottles when temperatures rise.

Poolside Sips

A lounge chair, a good book, and a delicious glass of wine; what more do you need for the perfect weekend afternoon by the pool?

Olema Rosé Cotes De Provence, 2020; $14.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. A quintessential wine from Provence, the birthplace of rosé, delicate strawberry and rose petal aromas meet apricot and citrus fruits on the palate. With its bright acidity and juicy fruit flavors, this is the perfect wine for basking in the sunshine.

Laudato Pinot Grigio; $16.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Zesty citrus and apple aromas and flavors shine in this fresh and easygoing wine. Lively acidity and a lingering finish complete this medium-bodied white. It’s a great solo sipper but also pairs well with poolside snacks such as fresh fruit.

Rivata Prosecco; $12.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Bursting with flavors of green apple, lemon, and lime, the tart citrus notes beautifully balance the hint of sweetness. With luscious bubbles and vibrant acidity, this sparkling wine will refresh you on a hot summer day.

Backyard BBQ

Time to fire up the grill; no summer is complete without at least one backyard BBQ soirée. Pair those flame-kissed hamburgers, hot dogs, and vegetables (not to mention the salads and side dishes) with these food-friendly and versatile wines.

D’autrefois Rosé De Pinot Noir; $12.98. Buy at Total Wine & More. The estate’s roots in Burgundy and its expertise with Pinot Noir set the stage for this pink-hued wine. Lifted strawberry and cherry aromas immediately jump out of the glass, while a bit of minerality brings a savory balance. Crisp and energetic, try this rosé with grilled fish.

Lloyd Chardonnay Carneros; $39.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. This full-bodied white wine can stand up to pretty much anything you put in front of it, burgers and steaks included. Full-bodied and concentrated, the flavor profile runs the gamut from ripe orchard fruits such as golden delicious apple to tropical flavors such as pineapple. Layered on top are notes of honeysuckle and vanilla.

Marchese Dell’elsa Moscato D’asti; $14.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Slightly sweet and lightly effervescent, Moscato D’Asti pulls double duty as both an aperitif wine and dessert pairing. Get everyone’s palates primed for the grilled feast with a welcome glass of this peach blossom and citrus sparkler. Pair it with fruit, or better yet, a seasonal blueberry pie, for dessert.

Picnic in the Park

Grab a blanket, fill your basket with cheese, crackers, and other nibbles, and join your friends for an alfresco get-together. Complete the party with these crowd-pleasing wines.

Domaine Loubejac Rosé Willamette; $14.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Taking inspiration from the south of France (where the winemaker vacationed as a child), this Willamette Valley rosé will transport you. With strawberry cream, white peach, and raspberry notes, plus a hint of grapefruit on the finish, it’s a juicy companion to the picnic spread.

King Maui Cellar Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc; $16.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Crisp and refreshing, this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc shines with flavors of passion fruit and nectarine, while an aromatic hint of newly-cut grass pairs perfectly with the picnic setting.

Iter Sparkling Brut; $11.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. This light-bodied sparkling wine shows delectable green apple, pear, and peach flavors. The mousse-like bubbles create an ideal textural contrast to creamy dips or soft cheeses.

Beach Bonfire

Everyone loves a day at the beach, but when the sun sets, a bonfire turns the sandy oasis turns into something fun, romantic, or even perhaps a little wild. As the heat of the flame draws you in, match it with wines that are equally magnetic.

Samuel Robert Rosé Willamette Vintner’s Reserve, 2020; $12.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Kumquat, maraschino cherry, and strawberry are just a few of the flavors that reveal themselves in this lively wine. A thread of spice weaves itself throughout this complex and layered rosé. With its long, clean finish, you’ll want to keep drinking this rosy-hued wine long after the fire’s embers have gone out. Rated 91 points by Wine Enthusiast.

Chateau De Nages Heritage Blanc Vieilles Vignes, 2019; $18.99 Buy at Total Wine & More. Cool nights call for a warming, richer-style white wine. A blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Clairette, and Viognier, this Rhône blend shows honeyed tangerine and juicy citrus notes, plus hints of floral aromas. On the palate, it is ripe and round but beautiful acidity gives it structure and the finish seems to go on and on.

Borrasca Premium Cuvee; $24.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. The toasty tones in this elegant sparkling wine bring a warmth to the green apple and orchard fruits that appear on the nose and palate. Fine and persistent bubbles spark on the tongue and the long finish leaves a lasting impression.

Boat Ride on the Lake

The wind in your hair, the spritz from a wave dotting your face; is there any greater pleasure than a boat ride on a lake? Whether you’re cutting through the water or dropping anchor to gently float for a bit, these wines make great first mates.

Tesoro Della Regina Rosé; $14.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Embrace la dolce vita with every sip of this elegant rosé from Italy’s Veneto region. Strawberry and cherry notes plus a zippy acidity intertwine in a wine that’s as light and breezy as a summer day.

Seastone Albariño Rias Baixas; $15.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. Albariño originates from the coastal Spanish region of Rias Baixas, so it’s right at home on the water. Ripe apple, pear, and lemon dominate in this juicy white wine. It’s a great match with fish and seafood dishes.

Il Duca Rosa Imperiale; $9.99. Buy at Total Wine & More. When the sun starts to set, match the crimson color of the sky with this lightly sweet and effervescent red wine. Made from Brachetto, a grape native to Italy’s Piedmont region, it can be enjoyed both during aperitivo hour with cheese or fruit, or later in the evening with something sweet, such as chocolate. It’s meant to be served chilled, making it an ideal red wine for the summer.