Zac's Picks for Summer Wines

Rosé in just about any style from any part of the world. Rosé was once considered just a cheap, sugary wine, but now rosé has caught on and winemakers are starting to take this style seriously. As a result, the quality improves every year. The key is to have an open mind toward different regions and/or varietals to see where the experience will take you, ideally on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.

Anything sparkling. I prefer Blanc de Blancs (100% Chardonnay) Champagne because it’s crisp and lively and pairs with a wide range of light, summery meals. True Champagne is expensive, so a great value alternative (something less than $20) is Cremant de Bourgogne, which is made like true Champagne (with the same grapes), but comes from a region that does not have the pedigree as Champagne. These are consistently stocked in my cellar for when I need some bubbles and don’t want to break the bank.