Boschendal The Rose Garden Rosé
From: South Africa
Variety: Blend (mostly merlot & pinotage)
Price: $14 ($9 at Costco!)
This was the first South African wine I tried and I was very pleasantly surprised. There’s no secret I love a good screw top bottle on cheaper bottles – get me my wine faster 😂 This rosé was crisp and refreshing with notes of strawberry and watermelon. This wine chilled on a hot day would be so incredibly pleasant to be sipping poolside or out by the barbeque.
Cellier des Dauphins Reserve Cotes du Rhone 2018
From: Rhone, France
Variety: Rhone Red Blend
Price: $14
Every time I open a bottle of wine from the Rhone Valley I always say to myself this is so good I need to drink more wine from this region. This time I’m taking my own advice! The Rhone Valley has some of the best values in France, and this wine was no exception. At $14 it over delivered in taste! A blend of Grenache and Syrah, this is an easy drinking wine. Red berries, velvety tannins, vanilla, and a long floral finish!
Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner Himmelstiege 2018
From: Austria
Variety: Grüner Veltliner
Price: $11
Bottles under $20 are such a good way to expand your palate. Instead of reaching for the same thing every time. During the warmer months I tend to reach for Sauv Blanc often. It’s so light and refreshing, just what you need after a hot day! In an effort to branch out I gave Grüner Veltliner a try. It’s an alternative to Sauv Blanc that grows almost only in Austria. This wine was dry and acidic, with notes of grapefruit, lemon and a little ginger. It’s a great wine for sipping, but with the acidity it would pair great with food.
New Age Vino Blanco
From: Mendoza, Argentina
Variety: White Blend (90% Torrontes, 10% Sav Blanc)
Price: $13
You guys, semi-sweet effervescent heaven. We use this in the Sparkling Orchid Cocktail and it is so good but honestly just use this in your next vin piscine. It is perfect for a hot summer day and slow drinking… only made better by wait for it… putting it on ice. I love this one because not only is it super affordable but it gives you a little bit of bubbles when you’re not 100% in the full sparkling bubbly mood.