A guide to great summer wines and spirits
By Carla Snuggs

I hope you’ve been having a great summer! When it turns to summer, I know It’s time for new wines! Whether you’re hosting a brunch, a bridal shower, having a picnic or just enjoying a meal, a special bottle of wine or dazzling cocktail adds a special touch. I’m sharing some of my recent favorite wine and spirits across all price points that you can enjoy all summer long!

Luna Nuda Prosecco Rosé 

Luna Nuda’s effervescent Prosecco Rosé has delicate floral aromas that give way to hints of golden apple and subtly sweet berry notes. Luxurious bubbles create a refreshing finish on the palate with inviting fruit flavors that pair well with a variety of foods, or can be enjoyed on its own. Shop: Shop.lunanuda.com  

Cask and Kettle Ready-to-Brew Cocktails  

Pop a Cask and Kettle pod into your Keurig and a coffeehouse cocktail is ready in seconds. Choose from Mexican Coffee, Hot Blonde Coffee, Mint Patty, Irish Coffee, Spiked Dry Cider. Everything you need in one pod - including the alcohol. Shop: Caskandkettleusa.com 

Ruddell’s Mill Kentucky Straight Bourbon

Named after Kentucky Pioneer Isaac Ruddell who founded a grist mill in Bourbon County in 1788 creating the county's first industrial area.  Ruddell’s Mill Bourbon is made from a mash bill that replicates the whiskey mash bills of Kentucky’s early days, before there was a legal definition of "Bourbon." Shop: Ruddellsmill.com 

K Bloody Mary Mix

Looking for a mix that packs a savory punch? Award-winning K Bloody Mary Mix stimulates the palate with a sublime blend of bold flavors that are sure to satisfy. Vegan, gluten-free and organic, this small batch mix will pair with your favorite liquor or is fabulous on its own too. Get ready to enjoy a Bloody experience unlike any other! Shop: Kbloodymarymix.com

Gratsi  Old Country White  

Refreshing and tropical Sauvignon Blanc with a wonderful balance of fruit, herbs, and acidity. Fruity, floral, dry. AVA: Columbia Valley, WA (Horse Heaven Hills). Shop: Gratsi.com 

 Geyser Peak Winery

Geyser Peak Winery, originally established in 1880, has been a stalwart of the California wine industry for generations. Specializing in aromatic whites and rich reds, each wine crafted here captures the essence of Sonoma and the appellation’s unique terroir, offering sophistication and approachability. These wines slide easily from casual days to connoisseur nights. 

Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc : Clear and bright pale straw in the glass, the 2019 California Sauvignon Blanc has a fragrant aroma, displaying grapefruit and grassy characteristics as well as a touch of melon. As it crosses your palate, crisp, lively acidity with citrus flavors including lime, lemon, and tangerine. This is a beautifully balanced wine with crisp, clean acidity and a lingering finish. SRP: $13.99 

Tropical Moscato

Tropical Moscato fruited wines are delightful! Bright and lightly effervescent, this family of 100% Moscato wines are just what your summer brunch (or anytime!) table is missing. Vinted in the famous Moscato producing region of Asti, Italy, the wines are light, floral, and delicate. Each of the flavors contain only beautifully fragrant wine and a splash of fruit juice. No fake flavoring agents or dyes here, just pure fruit. The spectrum of available flavors include Mango, Peach, Passion Fruit, Strawberry, and Grapefruit. They are incredibly refreshing and perfect for the season.

Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé

Le Grand Courtâge is a French sparkling wine company that was created to embody the French spirit of ‘Joie de Vivre’ (joy of life) and to both elevate and celebrate every day. They offer sparkling blanc de blancs brut, brut rosé and their Provence style, Très Chic Rosé. Their 90+ award-winning wines have won numerous awards and have been organically picked up by multiple publications like Vogue, Martha Stewart, Domino, Better Homes & Gardens and more. Le Grand Courtâge is available for purchase in 46 states, including five-star restaurants and hotels such as the MGM Hotels (Mandalay, Delano, Four Seasons, Bellagio), Omni, Fairmont, JW Marriott, and Kimpton. This Brut Rosé is elegant and refreshing, with baby bubbles and a delicate balance of dryness with soft floral notes. This cuisine and cocktail friendly wine both elevate and celebrate every day.

Unánime Chardonnay (SRP $24.99)  

Soils rich in calcium carbonate allow our Chardonnay to exhibit enticing aromas of bright citrus and tropical fruit, lively acidity and a distinct sensation of flinty minerality. Malolactic fermentation (30%) in French oak barrels and six months of ageing “sur lie” further adds attractive notes of brioche, vanilla and spice to the long, creamy textured finish. Shop: Totalwine.com

Crystal Red Wine Decanter  

A sophisticated wine decanter made with premium lead-free crystal glass that displays the swirling stream of wine pouring into the transparent glass graciously. The Zulay wine decanter is designed to provide great aeration that improves the taste, smoothness, and texture of your wine while releasing the fruit and floral aroma deep within. An ideal wine breather for cabernet and other types of wine. Shop: Zulaykitchen.com 

Figlia Fiore     

Fiore bottles the lushness of Italian gardens and the energy of sidewalk dinners in New York City. It is an ode to the spritz, a token of leisure and a reminder to take your time. It is for sipping with intention-- without the hangover. Fiore is recommended poured over ice, adorned with an orange peel. Shop: Drinkfiglia.com 

Anja Lee & Company Wine Tasting Kit 

Enjoy three distinct wines selected by Chef Anja Lee herself to pair perfectly with your cheese selections. Tasting kits include six ounces each of Arroyo Seco Albarino, Redwood Valley Carignan, and Amador County Tempranillo. These off-the-beaten-path grape varieties were all grown with sustainable principles leading the way before being crafted in small lots by several of our favorite winemakers. In addition to specialty gift kits like this one, Anja Lee & Company also offers virtual team-building events for groups of ten or more in which these kits are shipped out to participants prior to the event. These are run by our team with the chance of having a class with celebrity chef and founder, Anja Lee. Shop: Sipsend.com

Good Goods and Wild Arc Farm Amorici Field Blend  

Good Goods partnered with Hudson Valley-based Wild Arc Farm wines, and Jenny & Francois Selections to develop, bottle and distribute one of the first reusable wine bottles. Each bottle is marked with a QR code to track the customers’ purchase and return. Good Goods then applies credits to customers’ accounts for each bottle returned. The goal is to introduce reuse as a service across the U.S. wine industry. Shop: Thegoodgoods.co 

What are your favorites wines and cocktails for summer? Leave a comment below!