11 Light Wines for Summer Sipping

There’s nothing better than sipping a refreshing glass of wine on a hot summer evening. From crisp whites and dry rosés to light-bodied reds served slightly chilled, wine can be the perfect summer refresher. There’s a summer-friendly wine for every occasion, but which one should you try next?

What Is Light Wine?

“Light wine” can depend on two different aspects of a wine: body and alcohol content.

A light-bodied wine will feel light in weight or texture when you take a sip. These wines are typically refreshing and easy to drink. However, “light” often refers to a wine’s alcohol content. Low-alcohol wines typically contain less than 12.5% ABV.

It’s important to note that a light-bodied wine isn’t automatically low in alcohol, and vice versa. For instance, some light-bodied wines can be higher in alcohol, depending on how they were made. Light wines are typically not aged and can have fruit-forward flavor profiles.

Best Light White Wine Varieties

Sauvignon Blanc

Known for its bright character and typically dry style, Sauvignon Blanc is made worldwide, although the grape originates from France. It often has crisp flavors of gooseberry, green apple and passion fruit, plus green hints of bell pepper or freshly cut grass.

Pair Sauvignon Blanc with goat cheese for a classic combination—the freshness cuts through the cheese’s richness. It’s also great with grilled shrimp, as the wine’s brightness complements the seafood’s natural sweetness.

Try the award-winning Brightwater Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2022. This crisp, dry Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand wows with fresh citrus and passion-fruit aromas. Enjoy succulent citrus and melon flavors, delicate minerality and a long, vibrant finish.

Grüner Veltliner

Austrian Grüner Veltliner is known for its dry style and crisp notes of lime, lemon, grapefruit and white pepper lifted by its refreshing finish. If you like Sauvignon Blanc, try this more complex white.

A glass of Grüner Veltliner can cut through the richness of pork chops or roast chicken. Alternatively, try it with a spicy bowl of Thai noodles or coconut-based curry to help beat the heat.

The Mission 2021 is a California Grüner Veltliner from Santa Barbara County—fresh, citrusy and elegant.

Pinot Grigio

Originally from France but made famous in Italy, Pinot Grigio offers a refreshing balance of acidity and fruitiness, plus a clean, dry finish. Expect notes of green apple, pear, white peach, citrus, honeysuckle and delicate spice.

This light white is a delicious partner to seafood, balancing its salinity. Light, creamy pasta dishes can also benefit from the cut of Pinot Grigio’s tanginess.

If you enjoy crisp, dry, refreshing whites, try Capisco Pinot Grigio 2022 from northern Italy.

Albariño

A Spanish gem that’s also grown in California, Albariño is known for its zesty and dry style. It has fresh flavors of lemon zest, grapefruit and nectarine, plus a subtle salinity and hint of beeswax.

Albariño shines when served with Spanish food like paella or shellfish dishes. Its citrus notes highlight the natural sweetness of scallops or clams. It also balances the richness of a traditional Spanish omelette.

Pescadero Rock Albariño 2021 is a fresh and lively wine from Santa Barbara County with a subtle saline finish. Also try Passionada Alvarinho, made by iconic Portuguese winemaker Anselmo Mendes at his family estate.

Best Light Rosé Wine Varieties

Provence

Provence rosé is considered some of the finest in the world. It’s known for its delicate pink hue, bright acidity, dryness and flavors of strawberry, melon and citrus. Because of Provence’s location on the Mediterranean coast, the wine may also have hints of minerality.

Provençal rosé is delicious with Mediterranean dishes like grilled fish, calamari, green salads, roasted root vegetables, feta cheese and tomato bruschetta. The wine’s crisp character and fruitiness harmonize perfectly with the richness and flavors of these dishes.

Try White Ridge Rosé 2022 this summer—it’s elegant and overflowing with ripe red fruit and wild herb flavors.

White Zinfandel

An American classic, this rosé wine is typically sweeter than others. It also has a lower acidity, with juicy, summery flavors of ripe strawberry, watermelon and citrus.

Sweeter rosés like this are perfectly paired with spicier foods, as the sweetness works well to cool the heat in the dish. Buffalo wings, spicy tacos and Thai green curry are all complemented well by this delicious wine.

Try Petticoat White Zinfandel 2020 from California—a slightly sweet rosé with perfumed floral and red-fruit aromas.

Grenache

One of the most popular varieties of rosé wine, Grenache rosés are known for their easy-drinking nature and dry- to off-dry style. Look for notes of ripe red fruits, orange peel and subtle spice in these wines.

Grenache rosés are versatile when it comes to food pairings. The wine’s fruitiness is perfectly paired with grilled chicken, tomato-based pizza, roasted turkey, cured meats and Greek salad. Try a Spanish rosado made from Garnacha grapes with a traditional paella for a flavorful summer evening meal.

El Bombero Rosado 2022 is a bold, fresh Garnacha rosé with bright strawberry, raspberry, red currant, citrus and watermelon flavors and a creamy roundness on the finish.

Best Light Red Wine Varieties

Lambrusco

Lambrusco stands out as one of the few sparkling reds available. It’s known for its vibrant fruitiness, varying sweetness levels and blackberry, cherry and earthy notes.

While Lambrusco is available in varying degrees of body and flavor intensity, light styles of this Italian sparkling red are wonderful for summer sipping.

Lambrusco is ideal paired with a rich charcuterie board, as its acidity cuts through the richness of cured meats. Fruit desserts with complementary cherry and blackberry flavors also benefit from the wine’s sweetness.

L’Occhiolino Sparkling Red 2021 is a fizzy, juicy and refreshing choice to pop open on a long summer evening. Best served well chilled!

Gamay

Gamay is a light-bodied red from the Beaujolais region of France. It’s recognized by its tart flavors of red fruits and a hint of earthiness, which add to its subtle bitter finish.

This light red is wonderful paired with grilled chicken, as the wine’s acidity matches the poultry’s richness. Gamay’s fruity notes also complement charcuterie boards, a summer snacking favorite.

Try Julien Revillon Fleurie 2021—a light-bodied red from Beaujolais, France with violet blossom, red fruit and cracked pepper aromas.

Pinot Noir

From Burgundy in France, Pinot Noir is a silky red with notes of ripe cherries and raspberries. Also grown in the cooler climate regions of Oregon, California and New Zealand, this wine often has savory hints of earth and spice that add to its complexity.

Pinot Noir shines with a crispy duck salad, grilled salmon or grilled mushrooms.

Brimming with ripe strawberry, cherry and wild herb aromas, Lodi’s Purple Owl Pinot Noir 2022 is a Pinot Noir to add to your shopping list.

Cinsault

From southern France, Cinsault is a light-bodied red wine characterized by its bright acidity and flavors of fresh red berries, cherry and a hint of spice. It’s typically made in a dry style.

Pair a Cinsault with roasted poultry—the wine’s smooth texture harmonize well with the tender texture of chicken or turkey. Cinsault also pairs well with Mediterranean dishes like Greek moussaka, as the wine’s fruitiness balances the savory and creamy flavors.

Wine Subscriptions: Try Exciting Wines From Around The World

With a Laithwaites wine subscription, you can discover the best wines from around the world. It’s an easy way to get your hands on wines you won’t find at your local grocery store.

A Laithwaites wine club subscription offers wine lovers the opportunity to discover new wines from countries worldwide without leaving the house—you can select either our red, white, or mixed subscription cases, each containing a case of high-quality wines from across the world, to be sent to your door every three months.

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