Top Choices for Chillin' Summer Wines

Summer wines can be quite a challenge. While there's nothing better on a hot summer evening than a cold glass of wine, a lot of people don't consider themselves white wine drinkers. I have a suspicion that one of the biggest reasons this is so is because many whites really aren't best served as cold as they often are. Chilly temperatures can mute flavors so, for summer, selections that can hold up under the 50 degree mark are essential. The most popular white wine (Chardonnay,) isn't necessarily one that does the best super cold, so if you are typically a Chardonnay drinker, consider branching out. To help you on your quest for refreshing but not boring summer wines I've detailed four great choices below. All but the last one can be found on wine.com

To begin, here are two Rieslings that are sure to surprise non-Riesling drinkers. Both of these go fantastically well with food, but are equally enjoyable nice and cold on their own.

Bonny Doon Pacific Rim Riesling - Central Coast, CA

I first had Bonny Doon's Pacific Rim Riesling 6 years ago at an outdoor rehearsal dinner - the wine was so perfect for that steamy August evening (I raved about it for a week afterward,) that it has remained the first bottle I break out each year when the temperatures begin to eek upward. Though each vintage varies, it is consistently enjoyable. It's uncharacteristically dry, which, if you're not typically a Riesling fan is a good thing indeed. Instead, the crisp fruitiness rolls over the tongue beckoning you to take another drink. At around $11 a bottle, it's reasonably priced and I can't recommend it highly enough for barbecues - especially those that will involve pork or chicken.

Jekel Riesling - Central Coast, CA