Summer Diversions: Rioja Wines Excel
May 23rd, 2026
Once again, this year as Memorial Day approaches, we are looking for updated “Hot Weather Quaffs” to enjoy informally this summer. But if you really want to know, “Summer” actually started about a month ago here in Phoenix.
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, we tend to spend more time outdoors accompanied by lighter and more informal goodies to eat and drink. Like your wine for that drink? No biggie. There are many choices, inspired from places all over the world, to go right along with this inevitable change of the season.
It's Getting Hot, Find Wines to Match
But just what does “Hot Weather Quaff” mean in the world of wine? Maybe this top 10 list will help; a few things that these summer weather quaffs should bring to the party:
- Refreshing & totally fun
- Quenches thirst perfectly
- Makes one feel cool, not hot
- Diverts one’s attention away from the HEAT
- Goes well with light cuisine
- Crisp but not overly fruity
- Low cost
- Low alcohol
- Easily consumed by the pool
- Ready for goodies off the grill
Given all that, many white wines move right to the top of the list. And among these, the light ones like Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc, and Gruner Veltliner are common picks.
But if you add Spanish wines to the mix, there are even more wine varietals to consider, both white and red. Surprisingly, some of the better summer wines come from the Rioja region. Often associated with red wines, Rioja also has excellent whites.
The Spanish “Cosecheros” often harvest and blend these using the Viura and Verdejo grapes, along with the well-known Sauvignon Blanc, making Rioja white blends amazingly refreshing. The reds are from the classic Tempranillo grape, and some of these tend to be lighter reds, if grown in cooler areas.
We’ve got a couple of Rioja standouts that are ready for this summer.
The first is a white wine, El Coto Blanco 2024 (around $15). Grown at high-altitude vineyards, this beauty is fresh and aromatic. Its pleasing bouquet brings out an orange-like citrus with lemon and toast. A sip brings out a mellow, easy-drinking acid balance that is softer than Sauvignon Blanc with just the right amount of zip to be refreshing. Processing with cool fermentation preserves this delicate character nicely.
El Coto Blanco is a fantastic pair with most seafood, including shrimp cocktail, crab Louie, grilled fish, or sushi. Some of us liked this white Rioja with a charcuterie board and tapas, but that was purely a matter of personal preference more suited to the red below.
The second is for the Carne Asada fans in the group. It is a red wine El Pacto Cosecha 2021 (around $25 and vintage years will vary widely in the stores) produced by Viñedos El Pacto. When it says “Cosecha” by the vintage year, it is an informal choice with little barrel aging, and this makes it lighter and more quaffable.
El Pacto is a subtle rendition with cloves and dark spices in the bouquet. Its soft elegant body presents a muted acidity, soft tannins, and the deliciousness that spreads over the tongue characteristic of a Tempranillo with a peppery finish. Bring on the Carne!
All of us liked this red Rioja with a charcuterie board and beef/pork tapas, especially those who are not white wine drinkers. Keep this in mind this summer. El Pacto is a deal that will make your red wine drinkers incredibly happy.
You can find where to buy Rioja wines here: Rioja Wine Locator. It’s an excellent online resource to find a convenient outlet to check out the Riojas as the summer heat builds.
If you want to compare the white Rioja with other summer selections, try a “Pine Ridge Vineyard’s Chenin Blanc + Viognier” blend or one of the New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs such as Kim Crawford. These variations should make for an interesting tasting contrast when sided up with the Rioja style.
Serve these nicely chilled from the fridge after an hour (1/2 hour for the red) or throw them in the ice bucket with the beer to take out a half hour (1 1/2 hours for the red) before opening. These are totally summer selections.
