What goes with lazy pool days, picnics and dinner on the patio? A nice, crisp glass of wine. We chatted with Haunah Klein, head sommelier at Daniel Boulud’s Miami restaurant, Boulud Sud, to find out which rosés, whites and reds pair best with sunny days and balmy nights.
6 Sommelier-Approved Wines You’ll Be Drinking All Summer
Camino Roca Altxerri, Getaria Txakolina, Spain
This wine has a gentle fizz with hints of grapefruit and melon flavors. It’s perfect for sitting by the pool or pairing with a light dinner.
Empire Estate Riesling, Finger Lakes, Ny
Great for a warm summer night or a party in the backyard, this affordable sipper is dry, crisp and refreshing. Pair it with a round of oysters and your largest floppy hat.
Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé, Germany
This is one of Klein’s all-time favorite summer rosés. Mostly dry with a tiny hint of sugar and fruit with each finish, this bottle is stylistically different from your typical Provence rosé. The grape here is Pinot Noir, done in a fresh manner that makes you want another glass…or, you know, the rest of the bottle.
Passorosso Rosso, Nerello Mascalese, Etna Rosso, Sicily
This fab red blend is ideal for pasta, pizza and patio dining (aka the ultimate trifecta). The dark-skinned grape, grown in Sicilian vineyards near the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, reflects its surroundings: fruity, fresh and slightly earthy.
Peter Stolpman "love You Bunches" Sangiovese, Santa Barbara, Ca
By all definitions, this bottle is a red. But Stein notes that it can easily fit into the rosé and rosado categories too. Peter Stolpman, the wine’s namesake, recommends serving the wine slightly chilled, highlighting its lush notes of pomegranate, strawberry and cherry.
Bichi "no Sapiens" Tecate, Mexico
Made with an unidentified grape (some think it may be Dolcetto, others argue Carignan), this wine offers a dark, substantial fruit character while still being light enough to enjoy on a hot summer day (preferably by the water with a slight breeze). Is it time for happy hour yet?