Summer Wines That Aren't Rosé

Between insultingly basic marketing tactics to malt-liquor lookalikes, it's fair to say we have reached full rosé saturation. But, luckily, this Provençal fave isn't the be-all and end-all of summer wine. Instead, the rosé craze has opened the door to a breezier view of warm-weather drinking. If you've had your fill of Whispering Angel, consider these bottles, which are poised to take rosé's place in the beach cooler.  

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Infinitely crisp and dangerously crushable, this Loire Valley white is made for warm afternoons and freshly shucked oysters. You'd be hard pressed to find a bottle that tops the $20 mark, and its method of production ensures that even the lower-priced bottles drink easy.

Ruby bright and almost effervescent, this light-bodied and lighthearted red is best enjoyed slightly chilled. Think of it as Pinot Noir's offbeat and unbuttoned counterpart; it's not always easy to find, but when you do, it's downright gulpable.

Brace yourselves, team Prosecco: There's another Italian bubbly in town. Originating from Emilia-Romagna, this sparkling red got a bad rap in the 70s and 80s, thanks to big producers banking on the cloyingly sweet iteration. Opt for something dry and fruit forward, and you've got the sort of pour that'll change your backyard barbecues forever.

Lake Garda, Italy's most popular summertime lake getaway, is home to its own DOC that specializes in light whites ideal for drinking by the water. Just like Italy's number one export, Pinot Grigio, Lugana is all about freshness but possesses delicate notes of citrus and tropical fruit.

The Internet lost its collective mind when Forty Ounce Rosé hit shelves not too long ago, but this thirst-quenching Austrian standby is the OG of oversize bottles. Green glass liter bottles of this crisp and citrusy table wine often forgo the corks in favor of poppable beer caps.

Whether your idea of the perfect picnic is cooking in the wilderness or sipping a summery cocktail at a sidewalk café, we've got everything you need to spend your Summer in the Wild. Let the outdoor entertaining begin.

Caroline Coral is a food and travel writer who splits her time between Philadelphia and the Caribbean. Follow her on Instagram at @caroline.f.coral.

Correction: Lambrusco originates from the Emilia-Romagna region, not Tuscany; Grüner Veltliner is also an Austrian varietal.