Editor’s Pick: 3 Perfect Wines for Casual Entertaining

Just add wine: A backyard table awaits an end-of-summer feast. (Thomas J. Story/Sunset)

Like most of us who work at Sunset, I love wine. But more than that, I love the way we drink wine in the West—with an attitude of casual celebration, whether it’s at a beach picnic or a backyard BBQ. Thanks to Sunset’s Firstleaf wine club, it’s easier than ever to get the good stuff delivered right to your door. Here are the three bottles (only $29.95 + shipping!) that I’m loving right now.

Good friends, a string of fairy lights, and a generous spread are all it takes to enjoy an evening of wine and conversation. (Thomas J. Story/Sunset)

1. Turnkey 2014 Proprietary Red Blend (Napa Valley) 

Sometimes you just want a bold Napa Valley red. This one is interesting for its Old World leanings—a blend of Merlot, Cabernet, Tempranillo, and Grenache with good structure and the ability to age well. I would decant this, season a ribeye simply with salt and pepper and throw it on the grill, and serve the Turnkey alongside. End of summer on a plate.

Sisters Robin (at left) and Andréa McBride, winemakers and founders of Truvée. (Courtesy of Truvée)

2. Truvée 2015 Rosé (Central Coast, California)

How much do I love this wine? Let me count the ways—or, rather, the times and places and beach picnics—I toasted with Truvée’s easy-drinking rosé this past summer. The Provençal-style wine is the brainchild of sisters Robin and Andréa Mc Bride, whose family story is compelling (they grew up a world away from each other, in California and New Zealand, and met for the first time as young adults). Their wines, however, speak for themselves. Truvée Rosé will continue to be my house wine, even as we head into the colder months; let’s call it the memory of summer in a glass.

Warm weather calls for a classic white. (Thomas J. Story/Sunset)

3. Long Meadow Ranch 2013 Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Vibrant and versatile, this food-friendly wine is crisp yet well-rounded, with pleasing tropical notes. The estate-grown vintage was made to share while sprawled on a blanket at an outdoor concert, or paired with a platter of charcuterie and some Dijon mustard. It’s a longstanding favorite at the Sunset office, which is why we’re thrilled to have it in stock through Firstleaf. A red, a white, and a rosé for $29.95 plus shipping—what more could you ask for?