All right, we’re in the middle of summer and odds are you aren’t planning any elaborate dinner parties.
Hopefully, you’re putting the backyard (and maybe the pool) to use, having some isolated or socially distanced barbecues. These wines will carry you through with an added air of sophistication—but are still down-to-earth enough to hang around with wines that reside in boxes or cans as well. Also, none of these are averse to a slight chill. — Alex Burch, wine director of Bastion and Henrietta Red
Gorrondona, Bizkaiko Txakolina
First up, Gorrondona’s Bizkaiko Txakolina, from the Basque Country (think tapas and an Atlantic breeze). Bizkaiko Txakolina produces fresh, lively white wines (as well as reds) with lower alcohol and a bit of a tart zip. They’re usually made from the grape Hondarrabi Zuri and almost impossible not to like. ($20, woodlandwinemerchant.com)
Viñatigo, Gual
Viñatigo is a prominent winery on the island of Tenerife of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Gual, otherwise known as Malvasia Fina, is a prominent grape variety in the region and throughout the Mediterranean. Viñatigo’s Gual delivers bold aromatics of pineapple and tropical fruit with a smoky undertone, bringing to mind the volcanic soils upon which it’s grown. ($25, vinatigo.com)
Beurer, Trollinger
Weingut Beurer is the one winery that is nowhere close to a beach, but their Trollinger (otherwise known as Schiava in Italy) should fit in nicely. This light red from Württemberg in southern Germany, delivers bright red fruits with a touch of spice all while flirting with the idea of rosé. Jochen Beurer left the world of BMX to start his winery and now makes one of my favorite summer reds amongst other great wines. ($25, woodlandwinemerchant.com)
Cardedu, Monica “Praja”
Cardedu is a winery on the eastern coast of Sardinia, an island west of mainland Italy, focused on sustainable viticulture. Monica is a grape only found on this island and makes a great chill-able red for those who like the funky side of life. With “Praja,” the Sardinian word for “beach,” as the name for this wine, you know we’re on the right track. ($20, woodlandwinemerchant.com)