Summertime provides so many ideal moments for sharing a bottle with friends. From barbecues to picnics, boat rides to rooftop rendezvous, here are five delicious wines from California, Tuscany, and Australia that pair perfectly with summer's easygoing elegance. Stay cool and sip well!
The rooftop of the Public Hotel in NYC was the perfect setting for the recent Louis Pommery launch party.
Louis Pommery Brut California Sparkling ($24)
Sip chic in the summer heat with this charming new California bubbly created by France's legendary Champagne Pommery. Crafted in the traditional Champagne method, Louis Pommery captures the essence of California with grapes that were sourced from quality vineyards across the state to create a flavor profile that isn't exclusively Napa Valley. A crisp and refreshing blend of mostly Chardonnay (96%) with a kiss of Pinot Noir (4%), Louis Pommery is as elegant and crisp as summer linen and has pristine flavors of green apple and lemon sorbet.
Banfi "La Pettegola" Vermentino Toscana 2016 ($14)
La Pettegola (Gossip Girl) is the perfect wine for sharing some juicy news with friends. More than just a cute name, La Pettegola is an absolutely charming expression of Vermentino. Aromatic and appealingly luscious, this fruit-forward dry white wine is quite rich and round with robust white peach and citrus flavors.
Tenuta Sassoregale Sangiovese Maremma Toscana 2014 ($18)
The Sangiovese grape really shines in Sassoregale's vibrant flavors of fresh cherries and red berries that are balanced by a hint of spice. Silky and juicy, this tasty Tuscan red is quite refreshing and won't overwhelm your palate on a steamy day.
Notable Australia Chardonnay 2016 ($14.99)
Notable cleverly takes the guess work out of figuring out the flavor profile of their wines - it's clearly indicated on the label using a musical notes motif. Their unoaked Australia Chardonnay is accurately described as having flavor notes of citrus, melon and peach. Sourced from grapes in select vineyards in South Eastern Australia, Notable is a fun, fresh, and no-fuss Chardonnay. If you like a bit of oak in your Chardonnay, try Notable California Chardonnay 2015 - it spends 9 months in French oak and has flavors of butter, oak, and vanilla.
Ravage Cabernet Sauvignon California 2015 ($14)
Trying to choose a red wine for a backyard barbecue? A robust but velvety red with dark berry, vanilla, and mocha flavors; Ravage is a tasty match with ribs, steaks, and burgers.
