By Robert Giles

Finding the right lighter style, warm weather wine can be difficult – especially if we still crave our fall and winter favorites. But, in this blog, we have some great examples of new wines to try this summer, even if you already have a usual summer-time sip.

I would recommend trying an albarino. Lagar d Cevera switches up the strong citrus notes of a sauvignon blanc for apple and pear with a citrus undertone. A strong acidity will remind you of what you are used to but it won't be the core of the wine. This one is perfect for seafood.

... you might want to try out Ch. St Sulpice Bordeaux Blanc. This wine blends the citrus and acidity of sauvignon blanc with semillion. This latter grape will tamp down the strong acidity of the sauvignon blanc with a little more body while accentuating the citrus notes of the wine.

Try Grochau Cellars Convivial. This wine is a blend of gamay and pinot noir from Oregon and gives a tart fanciful cherry flavor that is familiar and different all at the same time. Served with a light chill, this wine can accompany light dinners and backyard cookouts with ease.

The delicate balance of sweetness and acidity keeps everything light and refreshing. But sometimes I like to change it up just a little. That is when I turn to Oregon white blends and Amrita Sparkling White. With flavors of strawberry, honeysuckle, and nectarine, this lightly effervescent wine is perfect for summer.

...but in the summer I lean towards the unoaked or lightly oaked chardonnays for their brighter fruit flavors and lighter bodies. Rustenberg Unwooded Chardonnay fits that bill perfectly. This warmer climate chardonnay indulges you with citrus notes of lemon and orange while hinting at a sharper pine flavor in the background. It is fabulous and I highly suggest it.

...and always a perfect selection for your next brunch. But if you want to branch out, you could always try a cava. I suggest Segura Viudas Reserva not just because it comes in a beautiful bottle but because the wine itself is uplifting. Floral and slightly creamy, the dried fruit notes you'll get from this wine linger through to the next sip. The tight bubbles keep it from being overly effervescent while still keeping an air of lightness.

...but there are options that are great for summer. Renato Ratti Barbera d'Asti is a fine replacement that trades a little bit of tannins for a more pronounced acidity. With tart red fruit notes at the beginning, this wine opens to more plum notes with a hint of earthiness. It never overpowers with its body and the acidity has you craving one more sip.

While it would be easy to stick with the tried and true throughout the entire year, I feel that summer is a wonderful time to experiment. A small change in what you drink at your next dinner party may just lead to a new year-round favorite. More choices can be a fantastic thing so you will never get stuck in a rut of the same old bottles while you celebrate. Cheers!