From perfectly chilled Pinot Noir to Japanese Highballs, here's how to enjoy exceptional bottles all summer long.
Some of the best summer evenings begin the same way: someone lights the grill, another person pulls up an extra chair, and eventually someone asks, "What should we open?"
The answer isn't always rosé. (But sometimes rosé is definitely the answer.)
Summer rewards wines and spirits with freshness, balance, and energy—but that includes far more than the usual seasonal suspects. Great bottles don't need cooler weather. They simply need the right serving temperature and the right occasion.
Whether you're grilling with friends, heading to the coast, or lingering around the table long after sunset, here are our favorite wines and spirits for making the most of the season.
Yes, You Can Chill Red Wine.
And you probaby should. Let's retire one of wine's oldest myths: red wine does not belong at today's room temperature.
That advice came from drafty European homes, not modern houses kept at 72°F.
Serve most reds between 60-65°F. Give Pinot Noir, Grenache, or Etna Rosso 20-30 minutes in the refrigerator before pouring. The cooler temperature lifts the aromatics, brightens the fruit, and keeps the wine lively instead of heavy.
Give white wines the same attention. Pull White Burgundy or Champagne from the refrigerator ten minutes before serving. That short wait opens the aromas and lets every glass show its full character.
The Best Wines for Summer
When choosing a summer wine, focus on freshness.
Champagne belongs on every summer table. It pairs effortlessly with oysters, lobster rolls, fried chicken, grilled vegetables, or even a bowl of potato chips. Few wines work harder or disappear faster.
White Burgundy delivers richness without weight. Bright acidity keeps every sip fresh, making it a perfect partner for grilled seafood, sweet summer corn, or roast chicken shared outdoors.
Want to branch out? Reach for German Riesling, White Bordeaux, or Italy's stunning high acid white wines. Their vibrant acidity and mineral character thrive in warm weather.
And don't pack away your reds until October. Serve Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, or younger Nebbiolo with a slight chill and you'll discover just how refreshing red wine can be.
The Best Spirits for Summer
Great spirits belong on the patio, too.
A Japanese Highball proves that simple doesn't mean ordinary. Premium whisky, sparkling water, crystal-clear ice, and proper technique create one of the most refreshing drinks of the season.
Love Cognac? Drink it now. Pour an older Cognac over one large cube of ice and let it evolve in the glass. As the ice slowly melts, fresh citrus, dried fruit, baking spice, and floral notes take center stage.
For something unexpected, reach for rhum agricole. Distilled from fresh sugarcane juice instead of molasses, it delivers bright, grassy flavors that feel tailor-made for summer. A classic Ti' Punch needs little more than rum, lime, and a touch of sugar.
If gin is your go-to, stick with the classics. A crisp Gin & Tonic or French 75 showcases fresh botanicals and citrus without unnecessary distractions.
How to Chill Wine Quickly
Guests on the way? Skip the freezer.
Instead, fill a bucket with ice, water, and a generous handful of salt. That combination chills wine far faster than ice alone, bringing most bottles to serving temperature in about 20 minutes without risking a forgotten bottle in the freezer.
Drink the Cellar You Built
Collectors love talking about saving bottles for the "right occasion."
Here's a secret: a Tuesday cookout with friends, a porch dinner that stretches into the evening, or an impromptu celebration often becomes exactly that.
Summer doesn't call for simpler wines. It calls for smarter service.
The best bottles don't create great memories because they're expensive. They create great memories because someone finally pulled the cork.
Looking for the best wine for summer or a rare spirit to elevate your next gathering? Explore Benchmark Wine & Spirits' curated collection of collector-worthy wines and spirits, and make this summer the season you actually enjoy the cellar you've spent years building.