Beach Wines: Top 30 For Summer 2013

If ever I have time to go to the beach (it's seldom because I have too much wine to taste!), I like to pack a few Italian whites into an icebox in the back of my car before heading off.

When it comes to beach wines, you can’t go wrong with top rosé such as Domaines Ott or Chateau d’Esclans – click for recent coverage on each. Yet it’s usually more affordable, crisp and fresh wines I’m after to enjoy with family over a relaxed lunch by the sea, and I find little beats some of Italy’s best whites.

Of course I don't want to drink heavy, structured whites with lots of wood. Barrel-fermented and aged whites are just too heavy on a whole, although a few wines in my list below have had the treatment. Moreover, heavy vanilla flavors are not ideal at the beach after some time in the hot sun or swimming in the sea. I need something refreshing with clean and beautiful fruit.

That’s why below for my “Top 30 For Summer 2013” I’ve chosen 30 young Italian whites with vibrant, clean and vivid fruit. They’re just coming out on the market now and come straight from my most recent summer tastings.

There's everything from a top-scoring vermentino from Sardinia to a chardonnay from the north of Italy near the Mont Blanc tunnel. Whether you’re sipping the wines watching the sunset, or out on a small boat fishing with friends, these are the wines you need to have to hand before this summer ends.