Best wines for summer parties

Summer is the season of sunshine, picnics, and spontaneous get-togethers that stretch long into the night. Tables are often filled with picky bits, summery salads, cheese, grilled meats from the BBQ, and of course, a selection of wines, beers, and alcohol-free alternatives.

But with so many choices, crisp whites, fruity rosés, and even chilled reds, it can be tricky to know what to pour. But summer wines don’t need to be fancy or complicated, they should be refreshing, crowd-pleasing, and easy to enjoy in the heat.

In this blog, we’ll uncork the best wines for summer parties, whether you're serving grilled seafood, fresh salads, grazing boards or a BBQ. From zesty Sauvignon Blancs and crisp rosés to juicy chilled reds and delicious sparkling wines, you can’t go wrong with one of these summery bottles on the table.

10 wines for your Summer Parties

Peyrassol 'Les Templiers' Organic Rosé, Côtes de Provence

This rosé is a blend of five different varieties, which are harvested in the coolest hours of the night to preserve their exceptional freshness. Discover crisp notes of peach, raspberry and citrus zest, with a delicate herbal character. Several months of lees ageing gives it a rounded texture that’s perfect with seafood or a niçoise salad.

Villemarin Picpoul de Pinet

If you love crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc, then this is a must-try. It’s incredibly zesty, with intense lemon and grapefruit flavours, and refreshing minerality – a perfect choice for fish and seafood dishes.

Graham Beck Brut Rosé, South Africa

This Brut Rosé is made using the same laborious method as Champagne. But because it's from South Africa, you pay a fraction of the price. Elegant. Fruity. Fresh. Expect creamy red-fruit aromas, a rich mousse and a brioche-laden finish.

Bouvet Ladubay Saumur Brut

The Loire Valley’s Saumur Brut is the go-to appellation if you like premium sparkling wine – but not the high price tag. And this one is hands down our most popular bottle. 100% Chenin Blanc, it’s lively, zesty and fresh, with flavours of honeysuckle, apple and lime.

Maison Mariselle, Côtes de Provence Saint Victoire

This wine delivers light apricot highlights with aromas of flowers, exotic fruits and white & yellow fruit. The palate is well balanced, fresh and very aromatic. It makes the perfect accompaniment for Mediterranean dishes, such as a feta salad, grilled parsley squash or fish dishes.

Villarei Albariño, Rías Baixas

E. Guigal Gigondas, Rhône Valley

Gigondas is where you'll find Châteauneuf-du-Pape-esque reds at great value, and E. Guigal is one of the finest producers in the Rhône Valley. Here, it presses Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes and ages the wine for two years in oak. The result is full-bodied and intense, with powerful hints of red fruit, liquorice and oak and supple tannins. The perfect BBQ wine.

The Ned 'Waihopai River' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Our bestselling white wine. Winemaker Brent Marris’ father was the first person to plant Sauvignon vines in Marlborough. Brent has had just as big an impact on Kiwi Sauvignon. He’s got rafts of awards to show for it, and that certainly reflects here. It’s the most refreshing thing you could pour into your glass. Full of gooseberry and grapefruit flavours, it’s grassy, tropical and seriously aromatic. Fantastic with Thai fishcakes, goats cheese and salads.

Definition by Majestic Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC

If you love a full-bodied red, this is the one to add to your wine rack. Expect flavours of tart red berries and red fruit, with a fine tannic structure well-balanced by roundness. A perfect accompaniment to grilled meats, mixed salads and poultry.

Naudin Père et Fils Pinot Noir, France

Doudet-Naudin was founded in 1849 and is one of the oldest maisons in Burgundy. Just like their most-expensive bottles, this is made by their fantastic winemaker and owner, Christophe Rochet. But this time it's from grapes grown all across France. It's your chance to taste his expertise at a lower price. Expect a light, velvety Pinot Noir with flavours of red and black fruits. It has a snappy acidity that's great with roast chicken.