Summer wines for me are refreshing, light, as relaxed as a beach read, and good with barbecue and easy meals. (Unless you are serving and in that case I’ll take whatever you’re pouring yay and thank you.)

My reds are often chill-worthy, and rarely darker than a Syrah. My whites are generally frisky and unoaked. My rosés, well, all they have to do is show up.

Three wines in particular have charmed me this summer. One is made by a friend of mine whose wines I’ve mentioned here before, another caught my eye because I’m a sucker for Italian whites grown in California, and another because, who doesn’t need a moderately priced great Pinot Noir? Check them out below and let me know what you think.

2020 En Cavale Vermentino, North Coast - I picked this up at my alma matter, Vintage Berkeley Elmwood. Because I am easily hooked by Italian whites grown locally, and endlessly curious about California wines I haven’t seen before, I set this aside immediately. Vermentino is normally seen in Sardinia, Italy, where it ranges from citrusy and zippy to slightly rich and seductive. This one was like a Sardinian wine, but waaaaay amped up. Think meyer lemon, mandarin orange, membrillo, with hints of muscat. So fun, and heady it works with al pastor tacos as well as it does a simple, fresh, herbed pasta. All native yeast and no fermentation.

2021 Presqu’ile Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara County - Maybe you’re a Pinot fan that is not a fan of Pinot prices. I hear you, and I raise you this wine. Around $26, it’s a steal for this grape. With its light body and 13.5% alcohol, this one’s a little different from other Central Coast pinots, but it still packs in the dark fruit the region is known for. A bottle of this is as charming as a cherry pie on a picnic.

2020 Stereophonic Heart Container Sangiovese, Paso Robles - Full disclosure, one of my best friends and former co-workers made this. Next disclosure, I wouldn’t include it if I didn’t love it. This Sangiovese is beautiful, and dare I say, it’s bottle is damn cute. Super fragrant, floral, and light-bodied in an old-school Italian way, but with lower acidity and richer California fruit. Dark cherries, roasted strawberries, tangerine zest, with just enough meatiness to handle a barbecued burger or pecorino.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, my friends!