With summer in full swing and heat intensifying, it’s time to switch up your wine choices. While strong tannic wines like cabernet sauvignon may pair well with grilled meats in air-conditioned spaces, outdoor summer gatherings call for something lighter and more refreshing.

While many gravitate towards chardonnay, it’s easy to fall into a repetitive rut of the same varieties. To break free, we’ve compiled a list of 15 delightful wines—excluding chardonnay and sauvignon blanc—that can serve as great aperitifs or complement summer dishes such as seafood, cheese, and veggie platters.

White Wines

• Big Salt Oregon White Table Wine 2025 ($19): An intriguing blend of riesling, gewurztraminer, muscat, and pinot blanc, this wine bursts with fresh acidity, citrus, and stone fruit notes, finishing with a mineral essence.

• La Crema Monterey Pinot Gris 2024 ($20): Lively and fresh, this pinot gris is ideal as a summer sipper or with grilled shrimp.

• Ehlers Estate Sylviane Napa Valley 2024 ($50): A captivating wine combining sauvignon blanc with semillon, offering aromatic orange blossom, apricot, and peach flavors with a zesty lemon and mineral finish.

• Alma Rosa El Jabali Pinot Blanc Sta. Rita Hills 2024 ($40): This unique varietal presents melon and citrus flavors with refreshing acidity.

• Bouchaine Alsatian Blend 2024 ($50): A stunning mix of Alsatian grapes, resulting in textured wine brimming with floral notes and stone fruit flavors.

• Tablas Creek Vineyard Esprit Blanc de Tablas 2024 ($70): This Rhone-style blend showcases exceptional roundness and acidity, making it a perfect partner for spring fare.

• Bodegas Shaya Verdejo Rueda 2024 ($15): A crisp organic wine from Spain’s Rueda region, ideal for light summer pairings.

• Latitud 42 Blanco 2021 Rioja ($13): Spunky and refreshing, with notes of pear and pineapple.

• Tenuta Olianas Vermentino 2025 ($21): An excellent choice for cheese pairings, with fresh citrus notes.

• Vale do Bomfim White 2023 ($15): Aromatically vibrant, this Portuguese blend is citrusy and refreshing.

• A to Z Pinot Gris 2024 ($16): A bright, easy-drinking option.

• Priest Ranch Grenache Blanc 2024 ($30): A light and aromatic wine to complement grilled meats.

• Pasqua Passione Sentimento Veneto Bianco 2023 ($20): A delightful vinification of garganega with vibrant peach and citrus notes.

• Brassfield Estate Pinot Gris 2024 ($22): Apples and stone fruit dominate this beautifully textured wine.

• Early Mountain Petit Manseng Virginia 2023 ($65): Exemplifies Virginia’s winemaking prowess with floral and peach nuances.

Red Wines

For those who prefer red, choose light- to medium-bodied varieties that can be mildly chilled:

• Tenuta Olianas Cannonau 2024 ($23): This grenache variant is perfect for warm days and pairs beautifully with lighter fare.

• Mezzacorona Dinotte Red Blend Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2022 ($16): An engaging northern Italian blend with freshness.

• Tablas Creek Vineyard Cotes de Tablas 2024 ($40): A versatile blend reminiscent of Cotes du Rhone, showcasing fresh red fruit.

• Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepuliciano DOCG 2022 ($26): A lovely sangiovese that is a delicious embodiment of southern Tuscany.

• Pasqua Passione Sentimento Romeo & Juliet Rosso Veneto IGT 2021 ($15): A fruity blend with a unique drying process that enhances intensity and texture.

Wine Picks

• Penfolds Bin 311 Chardonnay South Eastern Australia 2020 ($40): Though not a recent vintage, this wine is rich in peach and apple notes.

• Garofoli Piancarda Blu Rosso Conero DOC 2023 ($21): Simple yet well-crafted, showcasing steady red fruit flavors.

• Bodegas Juan Gil Vino Silver Organic Monastrell 2026 ($18): A great value with deep red fruit notes layered with spice.

• H&B Rosé Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence 2025 ($25): This refreshing blend features white peach and vibrant citrus notes.

This summer, expand your wine horizons while enjoying the warm weather with these recommendations that promise to refresh and delight.