Warm temps call for festive summer celebrations, from backyard BBQS to beach parties, along with plenty of light and refreshing wines to pop open under the sun. When the heat is blazing, our sommeliers recommend leaning toward high acidity, dry whites; light to medium-bodied wines to pair with grilled seafood and fresh fruits; a nice chillable glass of red; and why not a fruity sweet wine or sparkling rosé to top it off? From bubbly Champagne to Beaujolais, here are the best wines for summer imbibing.

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Arnaud Bardary, BELON
When I think of summer, without hesitation rosé wines are the first to come to mind: refreshing, easy to pair with summery salads but also grilled meat, and great as a simple aperitif. I would also suggest any red from Beaujolais, served slightly chilled, from Beaujolais Geographical Indication to the crus of Beaujolais such as Fleurie, Chiroubles and Morgon. This Gamay-based wine from the south of Burgundy offers everything you would want from a summer wine: juicy, crunchy, vibrant and full of fruit flavours.

Jean-Baptiste Copot, Buenos Aires Polo Club
Summer is always a good reason to fire up the barbecue and grill a nice piece of meat. While cooking the meat, I surely love a refreshing glass of Champagne: Ayala Brut Majeur is great value for money and ideal for opening up your appetite while you’re waiting for the food to finish. As soon as the meat is ready, let’s open the big boy—a large format bottle is always more fun when sharing with friends! One of my favourite summer reds is Marabino Rosso di Contrada, served from a Jeroboam (3L). With the perfect balance of fruits and smokiness from this Nero D’Avola, you might just want to have two on hand.

Wingate Ng, Osteria Marzia
I would go with Feudi di San Gregorio ‘Feudistudi’ Greco di Tufo 2017. From one of the finest producers in the south of Italy, this wine is a part of the ‘Feudi Studi Project’ to showcase the terroir, plurality and depth of the Irpinia wine-making region in Campania. Greco di Tufo is a white wine from the Tufo township in Campania which shows notes of lemon, lime, grapefruit and white peach. It’s full-bodied, with light acidity and minerality without overpowering the food. A beautiful white wine in summer to pair with cold cuts, cheeses, seafood and white meats such as grilled fish, calamari and squid.

Phenol Mak, Carbone
The best refreshment for my kind of summer would be a lean and mouth-watering wine: something to ease the heat (and the stress) from the year. The very first bottle that comes to mind would definitely be Pietradolce Etna Bianco 2020, from the volcano Mount Etna on the gorgeous island of Sicily. Based solely on Carricante grapes planted on volcanic soil, this wine shows saline, lemony notes along with lingering acidity to keep you coming back. Whether you’re pairing with simple fish crudo or grilled seafood, it is wonderful with its freshness and unique terroir.

Alex Wai, Carbone
Summer is the time of year where you have an excuse for drinking chilled beverages while soaking in the warm rays of the sun. The summer wine that gets my stamp of approval would be COS Zibbibo in Pithos, produced in the western part of Sicily. Fermented in contact with the skins in buried terracotta amphorae, this wine exudes the aromas and notes of orange blossom, slightly oxidised with a hint of saltiness and honey. This might be ‘the one’ for some of you, while for others, it’s just the right sip to bring a light breeze to your summer.

Need an occasion to top off your glass? Check out Summer Festival for all the unforgettable events happening this month, and stock up on more of our summer wine recommendations here.

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