Wine Box Experience - Karen Joiner

Hot Summer Sippers That Keep It Cool

When the heat rises and the sun lingers late, wine lovers don’t have to pack away their corkscrews. Drinking wine during the summer is not only possible—it’s a seasonal joy. The key is reaching for wines that bring refreshment, lift, and vibrancy to the glass. Whether you’re lounging by the pool, hosting a barbecue, or enjoying a lazy picnic, the right wine can elevate the moment without weighing you down. The trick? Think chillable, crushable, and food friendly.

On the white wine front, summer is a playground for crisp, aromatic varietals. Sauvignon Blanc, with its zesty citrus and herbaceous snap, is a perennial favorite—especially from Marlborough or Sancerre. Albariño from Spain and Vermentino from Italy bring ocean-kissed freshness perfect for seafood, while Grüner Veltliner offers a peppery twist for veggie pairings. Looking to endeavor of an escapade? You can reach for obscure wines like Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc in France’s sunny south or Assyrtiko from Santorini in the Greek Cyclades. These wines pair historic charm and coastal beauty with affordable, world-class quality. Like the perfect seaside vacay. 

For red wine drinkers, summer doesn’t mean giving up depth—it means choosing wisely. Go for light to medium-bodied reds with high acidity and low tannins: think Gamay (Beaujolais), Pinot Noir, or even a slightly chilled Spanish Garnacha. For the wanderer within consider far-off features like a Frappato from Sicily or get lost in the “sound of music” in the slopes of Austrian valleys with either a Zweigelt or a Braufränkisch. All these reds are versatile, vibrant, and remarkably grill friendly.

Alright, schools out and it’s time to jump into the summer grooves. What better way than with a glass of your first wine this month, the Joao Portugal Ramos Alvarinho. It’s a summer superstar! Crisp, vibrant, and tailor-made for sunshine-filled sipping. This wine shines with a citrus zest, stone fruit juiciness, and refreshing minerality, all wrapped up in a mouthwatering finish. It has the brightness to match summer’s light, fresh eats (think ceviche, grilled shrimp, or a crisp salad with citrus vinaigrette), and the finesse to be enjoyed all on its own, preferably near a body of water. The kind of wine that keeps calling you back for another sip, especially when the temperatures climb. A chill, crowd-pleasing white that punches way above its beach-day vibe.

To keep us in a place where the livin’s easy, we’ll dive into your second wine, the Tenute Nicosia Frappato which is well qualified to represent the GSC (GrapeFind Summer Collection). This is Sicily’s answer to the eternal summer wine question: What do I drink when I want red, but it’s hot enough to make a frittata on the sidewalk? This vibrant wine made with the native Frappato grape brings juicy cherry, wild strawberry, and a whisper of Mediterranean herbs, all wrapped in a silky, food-loving frame. It’s light on its feet but full of flavor—think of it as the red that shows up to the cookout in sunglasses and a linen shirt. Serve it with a chill by putting it in the fridge or on ice for at least 20 minutes before serving and keep it cool throughout. A light chill turns this Italian beauty into the kind of wine that plays nice with grilled fare, patio playlists, and anything served under string lights.

So, can you drink wine in summer? Absolutely—and you should. From chilled reds to zippy whites, summer wine is all about refreshment with personality. Keep the big bombs in the bunkers, stock the fridge with wines that pop with life, and remember there’s no such thing as the wrong wine—just the wrong temperature. Cheers to sunshine, sweat-proof sips, and bottles that keep us cool! Ching-ching!