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Tired of White Claw? The Most Refreshing Wines You Can Buy for Less Than $20

Hard seltzer is so last summer. This year, we’re turning to crisp, refreshing wines to beat the heat instead. We asked Sam Doyle, buyer and sommelier for Wine Library, for his favorite styles to sip on when the weather’s hot. That way, we can all stock up without having to do *too* much work. You’re welcome.

On that note, if you love trying new vino but feel totally overwhelmed shopping for it, we have the ultimate solution. Use WineText to order deliciously discounted, high-quality wines—minus all the time-sucking research. When you sign up, you’ll get a daily text message recommending a top-rated wine that’s being offered at a fraction of the retail price (we’re talking deals like a 98-point rosé for 30 percent off). If you like what you see, text back the number of bottles you’d like to order, and they’ll be sent straight to your door. Ta-da.

Now, onto the wine!

refreshing wines hermann wiemer riesling
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

1. 2018 Hermann Wiemer Riesling

“One of my favorite crisp summer wines is dry Riesling,” says Doyle. This one hails from the Finger Lakes and boasts fruity notes of apple, peach, pear and honey.

refreshing wines duckhorn sauvignon blanc
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

2. 2018 Duckhorn Sauvignon Blanc

Get in, we’re going to Napa Valley. This bright and acidic number will hit the spot at any barbecue or picnic. Take a nice, long whiff before you sip so you don’t miss out on the scent of white peach and grapefruit.

refreshing wines bisol jeio prosecco
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

3. Bisol Jeio Prosecco

Bring on the bubbles. The most sweltering of days are no match for this effervescent pick with herbaceous aromatics and notes of crisp green apple and ripe pear.

refreshing wines metal bender sauvignon blance
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

4. 2018 Metal Bender Sauvignon Blanc

Fruity on the nose, grassy and acidic on the tongue. Its minerality will help take you from ugh to aah, no matter how long you’ve been manning the grill.

refreshing wines donnhoff estate riesling nahe
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

5. 2018 Donnhoff Estate Riesling Nahe

“Riesling acidity is naturally high, which is why your mouth waters while drinking it,” says Doyle. “Perfect with a good chill during a hot summer day.”

refreshing wines erath rose
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

6. 2018 Erath Rose

Ripe with dry, juicy bursts of plum, raspberry and papaya, this beauty is easy to fall for. You’ll blush the same shade of dusky pink at first sip.

refreshing wines mercat cava brut nature
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

7. Mercat Cava Brut Nature

If you’re loyal to prosecco but ready to try something new, you’re bound to fall in love with its Spanish equivalent. It’s just the match for your famous grilled salmon.

refreshing wines oyster bay sauvignon blanc
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

8. 2019 Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Affordable enough to sip on a weeknight, elegant enough to share at your next alfresco dinner party. Brace yourself for intense notes of tropical fruit and a fresh, zesty finish.

refreshing wines jim barry dry riesling the lodge hill
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

9. 2018 Jim Barry Dry Riesling The Lodge Hill

An Australian gem with big acidity and apple-inspired crispness. Stock up so you can let a few age for the next year or two—hello, complexity.

refreshing wines juve y camps brut rose
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

10. Juve Y Camps Brut Rose

Like cava and rosé had a fruity, floral baby. Come for balanced acidity and freshness, stay for notes of strawberry jam and ripe cherries. Cheese plate, anyone?

refreshing wines a to z wineworks pinot noir
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

11. 2016 A To Z Wineworks Pinot Noir

Acidic, juicy and versatile. Keep an eye on the Wine Library site for deals on everyday reds like this that are light enough to sip on a hot day. Doyle says you can also search for “fuller wines to go with summertime food, especially anything on the grill.”

refreshing wines underwood sparkling bubbles
Wine Library/Background: Katsumi Murouchi/Getty Images

12. Underwood Sparkling Bubbles

Sommelier Dini “Vino” Rao shared her love of this winery’s canned rosé with us. Their chardonnay variety is equally refreshing and bubbly, but with notes of citrus and tropical fruit.

refreshing wines chateau montaud rose cotes de provence
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13. 2019 Chateau Montaud Rose Côtes De Provence

This blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah grapes makes for a crisp, earthy wine oozing with the essences of black currant, strawberry, leather and vanilla.



taryn pire

Food Editor

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