California Wines & Wineries

Summer Wines – Transitioning from Reds to Refreshing White Wines

Posted on June 22, 2020

Every year as the temperature rises, I purposely reach for more white wines than reds. You still need a good solid red when you BBQ a tri tip steak or ribeye, but most likely it will be eaten indoors in air-conditioning. But while sitting outside on a warm late afternoon or evening, nothing quenches your thirst and hits the bullseye better than a cool white wine.

I have been asked repeatedly by friends to provide some guidance for white wines to be consumed as the thermometer soars above 90 degrees. All of these wines I have tasted in the last six months.  Some white wines have nuances and specific flavor profiles that still are excellent with meals and some are flat out “porch pounders”. So here are my recommendations being sorted by three categories, all which can be enjoyed with or without food. I have purposely not provided information on Rose’s or light reds like Grenache for this article. Those designated with an asterisk are stories that I have written about previously. Those can be found on the website https://californiawinesandwineries and simply use the search button to find out more information.

Chardonnay
3 Steves*

Alyris*

Anaba*

Arroyo Cellars*

Cellar 13*

Foursight*

Harken (Barrel aged)

Hoopes Family*

Hovey

Hunter Glenn*

La Rue Winery*

Maritana La Riviere*

Mer Soleil Santa Lucia Highlands Reserve

Nickel and Nickel Stiling Vineyards*

Raeburn (Russian River)*

Rapp Ranch*

Rosa Fierro (Oaked)

Tate Wine*

Tenbrink*

Wood Family Vineyards*

 

Sauvignon Blanc

Coquelicot*

Crocker & Starr*

Cuda Ridge*

Jazz Cellars*

John Anthony

Ledson (Russian River)*

Porch Wines*

Tolenas*

 

Unique and Other Whites

Acquiesce* – Picpoul Blanc

Acquiesce* – Roussanne

Hovey C2 – white blend

Jazz Cellars – Rhapsody (blend)

Lavender Ridge* – Roussanne

Ragbag Wine Works* – Albarino

Saddleback Cellars* – Pinot Blanc

Tenbrink* – Assyrtiko

Terminim* – Cepages d’ Or – White Blend

Tolenas* – Eclipse – White Pinot Noir

 

Enjoy the summer with any of these refreshing white wine recommendations!

 

Slainte,

Michael
https://californiawinesandwineries.com