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The Best Summer Wines: Easygoing Bottles for Warm Weather
Summer has a way of loosening the rules. Days stretch a little longer, gatherings feel a little more spontaneous, and the best moments often happen outdoors, preferably with a chilled glass in hand. When temperatures rise, the best summer wine is one that feels refreshing, effortless, and ready for whatever the day brings.
Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, packing up for a beach picnic, or keeping dinner simple on a warm weeknight, wine for the summer should be food‑friendly, easy to chill, and enjoyable even in the heat. That’s where La Crema shines. With a portfolio rooted in cool‑climate, coastal vineyards and crafted for balance and freshness, La Crema offers some of the best wines for the summer with bottles that go with ease from brunch to golden hour to sunset.
Key Tips for Summer Sips
To ensure every single pour is perfection, keep these warm-weather wine strategies in your back pocket.
- Chill everything down. Keep your whites, rosés, and sparkling wines in your refrigerator or wine fridge so you’ll be sip-ready when the moment strikes. Even your lighter reds will benefit from chilling in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving. Check out our guide on how to chill wine fast to learn more.
- Use a proper ice bucket. Once you’ve opened a bottle, place it in a mix of half ice and half water to keep the wine chilled. This method keeps the wine colder than ice alone.
- Think fresh, not heavy. Wines with crisp, high acidity and bright fruit are your friends when the temperature climbs.
- Don’t fear a chilled red. Lighter‑bodied reds like Pinot Noir can be lightly chilled for peak summer enjoyment.
- Don't overcomplicate the glassware. Sturdy, stemless glasses or high-quality acrylic tumblers are perfect for poolside sipping and outdoor entertaining.
- Pair with the season's bounty. Summer cooking is often grilled, fresh, and herb‑forward—choose wines that play nicely with those flavors. Get the best wine and food pairings in our guide here.
The Best Summer White Wines
Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is the definition of crisp and refreshing, known for vibrant citrus flavors, herbal notes, and naturally high acidity. Think lemon zest, grapefruit, fresh herbs, and a clean finish that keeps you coming back for another sip. It pairs beautifully with salads, shellfish, grilled vegetables, and anything kissed with citrus. Find your new favorite in our Sauvignon Blanc collection.
Why It Works in Summer:
Its bright acidity and zesty profile make Sauvignon Blanc one of the best summer wine choices for hot days and outdoor gatherings. It stays refreshing even in the heat and complements lighter seasonal dishes effortlessly.
Our Pick: La Crema Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc
This wine delivers a trifecta of fresh citrus, stone, and tropical fruits, with gorgeous texture and a juicy lingering finish—perfect for sipping all summer long.
Chardonnay
Forget everything you thought you knew, because coastal Chardonnay is a summer revelation. Especially in cooler-climate expressions, this varietal offers texture, elegance, and pure freshness. With notes of apple, pear, and citrus, it’s a natural match for grilled chicken, seafood, summer pastas, and creamy sauces. Discover the magic yourself by shopping our Chardonnay collection.
Why It Works in Summer:
A well-balanced Chardonnay offers richness without heaviness. It adapts easily to a wide range of foods, elevating those seasonal, fresh-from-the-garden foods.
Our Pick: La Crema Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
This wine has vibrant apple, golden peach, and pineapple flavors, with a crisp, coastal freshness that practically begs for enjoying a glass with golden hour.
Pinot Gris
Pinot Gris is a confident summer staple, offering fresh fruit flavors, gentle texture, and lively acidity. Expect orchard fruits, citrus, and soft floral tones that keep each sip light and inviting. It is a spectacular match for fresh ceviche, grilled fish tacos, and light, zesty appetizers.
Why It Works in Summer:
Pinot Gris is easy to serve, easy to pair, and easy to enjoy—ideal for relaxed hosting, long lunches, and impromptu gatherings.
Our Pick: La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris
Crisp and balanced, this wine combines bright citrus, stone, and tropical fruit flavors. Its coastal energy brings beautiful cascading acidity that’s perfect for warm‑weather sipping.
The Best Summer Red Wines
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is elegant, lighter-bodied, and fruit-forward—think red cherry, raspberry, subtle spice, and soft tannins. Its versatility makes it a favorite at the summer table, and it can even be lightly chilled for extra refreshment on a balmy evening.
Why It Works in Summer:
Pinot Noir offers the complexity of a red wine without any heaviness. With its fruit-forward profile, it’s not only easy to pair with many foods but it’s also easy to savor.
Our Pick: La Crema Light Pinot Noir
The ultimate red wine for the summer, our light style of Pinot Noir features only 9% alcohol and 90 calories, with no added sugar. Serve this with a slight chill to let the juicy cranberry, cherry, and pomegranate flavors be at their refreshing best.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon brings structure, depth, and bold notes of dark fruit, spice, and subtle oak. While it’s typically a richer wine, summer grilling gives Cabernet a moment to shine.
Why It Works in Summer:
The tannins in Cabernet cut through the richness of grilled steak, burgers, or smoky barbecue.
Our Pick: La Crema Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon
Smooth and supple, this Cabernet marries riper fruit with dense tannins to provide length and balance—perfect for evenings around the grill.
The Best Rosé Wine
Rosé is a summer classic for good reason. With crisp acidity, bright red fruit aromas, and refreshing structure, it’s endlessly drinkable and incredibly versatile. It pairs seamlessly with salads, grilled vegetables, seafood, and picnic‑ready dishes. Dive into our Rosé wine collection to find your new warm-weather obsession.
Why It Works in Summer:
Rosé is wonderful any time of the year, but it’s especially perfect in summer. Crisp, fruity, and food-friendly, it transitions effortlessly from a poolside sipper to an elegant dinner companion.
Our Pick: La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir Rosé
This wine is summer in a glass: strawberry, peach, and orange creamsicle flavors delivered with juicy acidity. Born on the coast, it’s a refreshing sipper on those gloriously warm days.
The Best Sparkling Wine
Sparkling wine brings freshness, lively acidity, and celebratory bubbles that instantly elevate any summer moment. It pairs beautifully with seafood, salty snacks, fresh cheeses, and lighter summer dishes. Find your perfect bottle in our Sparkling wine collection.
Why It Works in Summer:
Bubbles refresh in the heat and add a playful touch to casual summer moments, making sparkling wine a warm‑weather essential.
Our Pick: La Crema Saralee’s Vineyard Blanc de Blancs
This extraordinary sparkling wine feels incredibly celebratory yet wonderfully relaxed. Crafted in the traditional method, it has those delicious hints of baked apple and bread dough, with refreshing notes of Meyer lemon and lime—perfect for summer celebrations and entertaining.
Pairing Wine with Summer Foods
Summer cooking is all about fresh flavors, bold grills, and shareable plates.
For lighter dishes, try pairing bright whites or rosés with dishes like:
- Roasted Tomato Feta Dip, where acidity balances richness.
- Chicken Lettuce Cups, which call for something crisp and refreshing.
For heartier fare, think:
- Pinot Noir or Cabernet Sauvignon alongside Lamb Burgers with Lemon Garlic Aioli or Citrus‑Marinated Carne Asada Tacos.
- A versatile Chardonnay is a natural match for crowd‑pleasers like Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, bridging spice, citrus, and savory flavors with ease.
Make Summer Hosting Easy with La Crema Wines
At La Crema, great summer wine starts in cool, coastal vineyards and finishes with wines crafted for balance, freshness, and food‑friendly enjoyment. Choosing approachable, award‑winning bottles takes the guesswork out of hosting and lets you focus on what matters most—good food, good company, and relaxed summer moments.
Explore the collection and discover your go‑to bottles for the season. With La Crema, finding the best summer wine is simple, stylish, and always delicious.
