We are all familiar with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio as perfect summer sippers. However, I’d like to draw attention to a few more white wines that offer depth and value – some of the best summer wines – before we say goodbye to summer. Just like most white wines, these should be served chilled, as their complexities become more pronounced as they warm up.

Pinot Blanc

Pinot Blanc wine is produced from the white grape Pinot Blanc, also known as Pinot Bianco in Italy and Weissburgunder in Austria and Germany. The grape hails from Alsace in France but thrives in these countries as well as the United States, specifically in Oregon.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Pinot Blanc is a versatile grape that can produce delicious dry white wines along with sweet wine, depending on the winemaker’s style preference. The wine typically exhibits stone fruit flavors with light floral aromatics. With its bright acidity – but not tartness – it can cut through creamy, buttery dishes. For a perfect summer wine pairing, serve it with a creamy lobster pasta or a buttery lobster dish.  

Pinot Blanc’s Try: Erath, Left Coast

Pinot Noir Blanc / White Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir Blanc and White Pinot Noir are the same thing; a white wine produced from the red Pinot Noir grape. Yes, white wine can be made from red grapes. Instead of pressing the grapes and allowing them to have contact with the skin to obtain the red coloring, the skins are immediately removed, leaving the juice clear and white.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Pinot Noir Blanc can be richer and more structured than other white wines since it’s made with red grapes. It has an aromatic nose with hints of roses, lavender and lemongrass and a flavor profile that includes baked apple and subtle stone fruits with maybe a whisper of jasmine.

While Pinot Noir Blanc is delicious, it’s a bit harder to come by. It is produced in Champagne, Alsace, and Germany, with a growing number of winemakers experimenting with it in Oregon and California. I had never sipped one until this summer when I visited Willamette Valley in Oregon. A few producers I met with had huge amounts – if not all – of their 2020 crops destroyed by smoke from the California wildfires. Instead of tossing everything, a few decided to try to make Pinot Noir Blanc. This unexpected turn of events turned out to be a pleasant surprise, like the yin to the yang, creating a unique and delicious wine.

Pinot Noir Blanc’s to Try: Evening Land Vineyards, Domaine Serene and Left Coast Estate

Arneis

Arneis (ahr-nase) is a white Italian wine grape variety originating from Piedmont, Italy. The name itself translates to “little rascal” in Piemontese, given it is regarded as a somewhat difficult variety to grow. While Arneis originates from the cooler growing region of Piedmont, it is successfully being produced in cooler regions in Australia as well. You may hear it also referred to as Bianchetta, Nebbiolo Bianco.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Arneis produces fragrant, medium-bodied wines that are crisp and floral, with flavors of peach, apple, honey, almond, apricot, and lime. Despite this sweeter flavor profile, Arneis is traditionally a dry white wine. Its soft acidity, medium body, and fragrant aromas make it a perfect match for lighter proteins, pasta, and creamy risottos. Arneis is one of those summer wines that promises a complex and delightful tasting experience.

Arneis to Try:  Deltetto S. Michele Roero Arneis, Giovanni Rosso Roero Arneis, Famiglia Rivetti Arneis, Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis

Chenin Blanc

Chenin Blanc (​shen-nin blonk) is a versatile white grape that can produce dry, off-dry, sparkling and sweet dessert wines. This has led to the production of four dominate styles of Chenin Blanc wines.

Sparkling: Sparkling Chenin Blanc wine is made in South Africa and within Vourvray of the Loire Valley in France, using the Method Cap Classique technique, which is a traditional method of making sparkling wine. This involves a secondary fermentation in the bottle, similar to the process used in Champagne production.

Light & Zesty: South African Chenin Blanc wines are crisp with citrus lime flavors and herbs. In the Loire Valley in France, flavors have more minerals and lemon zest.

Peaches & Flowers: In warmer climates like South Africa, the wine turns to a richer style with stone fruit, honey, and tropical notes. In warmer seasons, the Loire (Vouvray, Anjou) can produce similar styles.

Dessert Wines: Wineries that produce Chenin Blanc dessert wines need to be protected from wind and exposure to the sun.  Achieving these conditions = exceptional quality wines.

Well known regions for Chenin Blanc wine include Loire Valley, Western Cape, Robertson, Vouvray, Anjou, and parts of the United States.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Dominant flavors include lemon, lime, yellow apple, melon, peach, pineapple, honey, allspice, ginger. Some of the best foods to pair with Chenin Blanc wine is shellfish, arugula salad with a vinaigrette dressing, creamed spinach, chicken picatta, goat cheese or even yogurt. We love this as an all season wine but tops the list for one of the best summer wines.

Chenin Blanc’s to Try: Backsberg Chenin Blanc (South Africa), Domaine François et Julien Pinon Les Trois Argiles Vouvray (France), Road 13 Sparkling Chenin Blanc (Okanagan Valley, Canada)

Albariño

Albariño ​ (alba-reen-yo) is a light-bodied, fruit-forward wine with high acidity. The grape originated in Northwest Spain (Galicia) and is mainly grown in Spain and Portugal. More Albariño is beginning to emerge from the Central Coast in California, as the varietal is well-suited for maritime climates. Keep an eye out for Albariño from Southern Oregon and Washington State.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Albariño is known for its highly aromatic profile, with scents of lemons, limes, pear, grapefruit, honeysuckle, nectarine, occasional notes of orange zest, beeswax, and Thai basil. Its flavors include stone and tropical fruits such as white peach, apricot, melon, and pineapple. On the palate, Albariño’s high acidity and slight bitterness make it a good match for a variety of food textures. It pairs well with aromatic herbs, white fish, shellfish, as well as Thai and Indian cuisine.

Albariño​’s to Try: La Cana Navia, Soalheiro Granit Alvarinho, Aveleda Solos de Granito Alvarinho

Gruner Veltliner

Gruner Veltliner (pronounced grew-ner velt-LEE-ner) is Austria’s primary grape in terms of quality, style, and production quantity. Although about 75 percent of the world’s Gruner production comes from Austria, top-quality variations are also produced in other parts of Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. In the USA, small-scale productions can be found in states such as California, Oregon, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington, while British Columbia also produces some excellent wines.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Gruner Veltliner can vary widely, from light and easy-drinking to rich and concentrated. The best variations typically exhibit high acidity and pleasant aromatics. These styles are usually dry and full-bodied, with prominent notes of spice and white pepper, accompanied by citrus fruit flavors like lemon, lime, and grapefruit. If you enjoy spicy food, Gruner Veltliner is an excellent choice due to its high acidity and full body. It pairs well with traditional Austrian dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel, as well as with spicy Mexican and Asian cuisines. Additionally, it complements earthy vegetables like artichokes and asparagus.

Gruner Veltliner’s to Try: Weinkeller Stolz Grüner Veltliner, Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor – Grüner Veltliner Federspiel, Chateau Ste. Michelle Limited Release Grüner Veltliner

Gewurztraminer

Gewurztraminer (ga-VERTZ-trah-mee-ner) is a white wine found primarily in the French region of Alsace, originating in the German region of Pfalz. Gewurz is also found in Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Hungary, and a surprisingly large amount in the United States. In California, you’ll find it grown in cooler areas like Sonoma and Monterey. New York and Washington are gaining attention for their Gewurztraminer.

Taste Profile & Pairings: Gewurztraminer styles range from dry to sweet with the most prominent being off-dry with a kiss of sweetness. If sipping a drier Gewurz, try pairing it with spicier foods such as Asian, Mexican, or Colorado’s famous green chili stew. Strong cheeses such as blue cheese, gouda and stilton make perfect pairings as well. While we love it as one of our summer wines, it makes the list for sipping year around.

Gewurztraminer’s to Try: J. Hofstätter Joseph Gewürztraminer, J. Riehl Gewurztraminer, Fetzer Shaly Loam Gewürztraminer