Best Wine for a Summer Party
The clouds are clearing, the sun is beginning to shine, and the Solstice is right around the corner. It’s time to bring our lawn chairs, blankets, and blindingly-white tablecloths out of hiding and set up for 2024’s array of inaugural Summer soirees – surely the first of many after a long and rainy winter.
You’ve spent all spring planning your charcuterie, your dessert selection, flower arrangements, treats for the dogs – every detail is planned and in its place. And now it’s finally time to make that last and all-important choice: what are you going to drink?
Allow us to make some suggestions.
What to look for in a summer wine
Generally, when the weather gets a bit steamy or errs on the arid side, you want a beverage that’s going to refresh, replenish, and cool you off. Lighter rosés, whites, and chillable reds, will all be your best friends during the hotter season. We can’t forget to add a little bubbles to get the party started!
Summer is the perfect time to explore and enjoy wines from regions known for producing refreshing, vibrant, and seasonal-friendly options. Think rosés from Provence, whites from California, Pacific North West, New Zealand, and France, and chillable reds from Argentina make the perfect lineup for your summer party!
Best wines for a summer party
- 2022 Chateau Barbebelle Coteaux d’Aix en Provence ‘Fleurie’ Rosé – $23
This is the quintessential Provence rosé. It’s perfect for sipping on any time of the day, with or without food, and embodies the endless summer we all are looking for in a glass of rosé. - 2022 Chateau Barbebelle Aix-en-Provence ‘Cuvée Madeleine’ Rosé – $25
With slightly richer flavors than the Fleurie Cuvée, this is the perfect wine to kick off your dinner party. This rosé is the perfect transition to take you from l’apéro on the patio to apéro dînatoire.
Argaux Test Kitchen Favorites and Wine Pairings:Grilled Summer Vegetables: Grilled vegetables, with their charred edges and rich, earthy flavors, pair beautifully with a rosé wine. The wine’s crisp acidity and fruity notes, ranging from berry to citrus, provide a refreshing contrast that complements the smokiness of the vegetables - 2021 Herd & Hart Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc – $20
This Sauvy B is incredibly refreshing. It has bright citrus fruit and florals, but finishes off with a touch of salty ocean sea breeze that reminds you it’s from the Western Cape. - 2022 Par Fore The Course Sauvignon Blanc – $20
This wine is all about bright flavors, approachability, and thirst-quenching freshness. The flavor lingers, but the wine goes down fast. It is Marlborough, New Zealand to a Sauvy B TEE! - 2020 Evening Land Salem Wine Company Chardonnay – $30
Evening Land Vineyards is the Oregon-based brainchild of Sashi Moorman and Raj Parr, two of California’s most revered winemakers. Chardonnays from this specific area of Oregon are frequently compared to those of Burgundy, and this slightly reductive, incredibly complex bottling is no exception! - 2022 Cantine Carlo Mazzella Ischia Biancolella – $26
Sancerre, Gruner Veltliner, Vermentino lovers – This one’s for you.Grown on the volcanic island of Ischia, this wine quite literally tastes like the azure waters of the Tyrrhenian SeaArgaux Test Kitchen Favorites and Wine Pairings:Margaux’s Halibut Ceviche: The mild, delicate flavors of Halibut cured in citrus juices, vegetables and heat from jalapeno pair perfectly with the chilled white wines acidity.Ojai Citrus Salad: The fresh citrus, herbs like mint and crisp arugula elevates a chilled glass of white wine. The wine’s acidity balances the tanginess of the citrus, creating a harmonious blend.
- 2020 Gouchas Luján de Cuyo Carbonic Malbec – $22
This Beaujolais-inspired Malbec is exciting and oh so fresh. Fair warning, this could be your new favorite chillable red – seriously, we would drink a lot more Malbec if they all tasted like this. Bring this chillable red to a sophisticated soiree in a summer garden, or to an western themed party…Yellowstone anyone? - 2021 Piro Points West Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir – $34
This is our staple Pinot Noir. It’s a wonderful example of cool climate Pinot Noir from the central coast. It’s light and bright with a purity of fruit that makes it go down way too easy. Pair this with white meat, grilled fish, pizza, and so on. The balanced profile of this wine makes it extremely versatile. - 2019 Contratto Metodo Classico Pas Dose Millesimato – $34
You are drinking history when you pop this cork. This 19th century estate is the birthplace of Metodo Classico and these wines have graced the tables of not only the Vatican, but also the House of Savoy (the Italian Royal Family), as well as the British monarchy throughout history. This is dry, refreshing and incredibly food friendly.
Argaux Test Kitchen Favorites and Wine Pairings:
Smoky Sweet Carnitas: The bold smoky sweet carnitas with fresh lime and heat from the crisp jalapenos pair perfectly with a chilled red.
Summer BBQ Series: Smash Burgers w/ Grilled Veggies: Juicy and cheesy smash burgers are a must have for the summer party!
THE SUMMER SPRITZ KIT – $98
When the summer heat calls for a refreshing and vibrant drink, our Summer Spritz Kit is your go-to. This kit is perfect for those balmy afternoons and evenings, offering a versatile and bubbly companion to a variety of dishes. The Argaux Summer Spritz is the perfect match for moments firing up the grill, enjoying a cheese & charcuterie board before dinner, or when you’re looking for something refreshing to cool down with.
Argaux can help
Whatever the size of your soiree, Argaux has a vast selection of delicious small-batch wines that are sure to suit an array of tastes. Our team of sommelier’s are ready to help make your party one for the books! Be sure to email info@argaux.com or call (949) 438-7228 for more wine pairing assistance!
Looking to learn more about wine? Check out our latest Wine 101 resources.
