The dog days of summer. The days of summer concert series, cookouts, beach, pool, and lake days. Also, the days when the big, bold reds and heavy, oaked chardonnay are just a little too much for this heat.  Here are seven wines, both white and red, preferably served with a slight chill to them for those hot summer activities:

Absolution Cellars – 2021 Grenache

100% Grenache from the Colburn Vineyard located in the Adelaida District of Paso Robles. A beautiful hue of translucent fiery garnet, with cranberry sauce, strawberry, and thyme on the nose, leading to flavors of a cherry tart, with spice notes and a creamy marshmallow texture that ends with lingering soft tannins. Refreshing, easy-drinking, yet still complex – it’s the perfect wine for any occasion or no occasion at all – the perfect summer red that can even be served slightly chilled at 50 degrees.

Cypher Winery – 2021 Ethereal

The Ethereal from Cypher Winery is a blend of 52% Viognier and 48% Roussanne. Aromatic and vibrant, Ethereal exhibits citrus and stone fruit flavors of lemon balm, peach, and white nectarine leading into chamomile, melon, and honey. Ethereal finishes with delicate notes of minerality and citrus blossom. This wine is best served best served at a chilled temperature of 55 degrees.

Castoro Cellars – 2021 Falanghina

Falanghina is a very aromatic wine with floral tropical fruit notes and a hint of minerality. It is medium bodied, dry-yet-fruity, and finishes crisp.  The grape variety originated in southern Italy where it is often served with fresh seafood. This lively and pleasant wine is perfect for hot Paso Robles summer weather. Served chilled.

Ella’s Vineyard – 2022 Pinot Grigio

Light, crisp, and refreshing. Exactly how you want your chilled whites in the summer. With notes of pear, peach and honeysuckle the fruit and mouthfeel on this Pinot Grigio is the refreshing splash you need in your wine glass on a warm day. This wine is best served cold at 45 degrees.

End of the Day – 2022 End of the Day Albariño

This Albariño has high acidity accompanied by melon, citrus, and peach flavors making for the perfect summer wine. Best served chilled, this white wine is perfect for sitting by the pool or pairing with fish tacos at an outdoor patio dinner.

Peachy Canyon Winery – 2020 GSM

Bright & elegant, this Rhone-style blend consisting of 44% Grenache, 39% Syrah, and 17% Mourvèdre is bursting with scents of Bing cherries and rose petals.  It is juicy and balanced and offers flavors of strawberries, cassis, and white pepper. Although a GSM is a great blend to enjoy anytime, this wine drinks beautifully at 50 degrees.

Volatus – 2022 Bolter

The Volatus Bolter Rosé is fruity and dry with balanced fruit. Consisting of 75% Tannat and 25% Syrah the Bolter is blended after sitting in neutral oak barrels. This fun wine is a great glass of paso style rosé which pairs nicely with poolside flank taco bar!