Rueda, Spain – $11

The sun is finally shining, and it’s time to hit the beach! When preparing for a day of fun in the sun, make sure to bring a towel, sandals, sunblock and of course, a little liquid refreshment. We recommend a Spanish Verdejo.

Verdejo is a grape unique to northwestern Spain that has recently made a big comeback. Starting in the 11th century, it was made into a (somewhat difficult to drink) basterdized version of Sherry. Thanks to vineyard modernization in the Rueda region, this grape is now made into a crisp, bright white that tastes similar to Sauvignon Blanc.

The 2008 Sitios Con Class Verdejo is a dry white that has a fresh acidity and flavors of lemon, grapefruit and a light mineral kick. This wine was a favorite at our Spanish Summer Soiree Dos (if you missed it, catch the next one here).

Drink liberally with a salad, shellfish or out of a Thermos while digging your toes in the sand.

Available at:

Bauer Wine and Spirits - 330 Newbury, Boston

Brix Wine Shop - 1284 Washington St, Boston

Brix Wine Shop - 105 Broad St, Boston

Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors - 51 Watertown St, Watertown

Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors - 599 Moody St, Waltham

The Wine Press - 1024 Beacon St, Brookline

Blanchards Liqour - 741 Centre St, Newton

The Wine & Cheese Cask - 407 Washington St, Somerville

Ah, lazy days at the beach. Maybe you’ve secured your spot at Dennis, or just been through tourist hell in Vineyard Haven. Either way, the seagulls caw overhead, waves crash against the shoreline, and the brightly blazing sun warms you to the point of feeling like a rotisserie chicken slowly roasting atop a deli counter.

Parched? Of course you are. But rather than reach for a warm can of beer or a rum and Coke-filled Nalgene, we suggest that you step up your shore side drinking game with a crisp and chilly glass of wine.

At the outset, drinking wine at the beach might seem like more work than it’s worth. Bottles get broken, corkscrews get lost in the sand, and there’s a strong likelihood that you’ll be drinking your precious vino out of a flimsy plastic cup.

But consider the upside: wine is pretty sturdy stuff, screw caps are everywhere, and you’ll be able to enjoy your wine without the faintest hint of pretension. After all, it’s hard to get snobby about wine in board shorts or a bikini.

The best part? When you’ve finished imbibing, you can write a rambling message to the universe, tuck it into the bottle, and chuck the whole thing into the rolling waves. Unless you’re particularly eco-conscious, in which case we recommend recycling.

Either way, here are our four favorite wines for seaside consumption:

1. Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc ($15): An incredibly refreshing white wine with strong citrus notes of pear and peach. This is the type of wine that tastes almost as delicious right out of the bottle (yes, we’ve done it) as it does in proper stemware. It’s fragrant but not overly sweet, and would taste amazing with grilled chicken or fresh-caught fish. Bonus points for the screw cap closure, making it particularly beach-worthy.

2. Crios Rose of Malbec ($12) If you love the bang for the buck you’re getting from traditional Argentinean Malbecs, pick up this surprisingly full-bodied rose. Strong flavors of strawberry and cherry make this a perfect summertime pour; despite the amount of fruit in this wine, the Crios rose still manages to avoid being overly thick or sweet. Especially appropriate if you’re lounging with your significant other: Crios rose would pair perfectly with a sensual seaside dessert of strawberries and whipped cream.

3. Francis Coppola Sofia Mini Blanc de Blancs 4-Pack ($18): Perfectly portable, sippable, and delicious: Juicy Juice boxes for the grown-up set ensure that you have no excuse not to drink wine at the beach. Each pink carton houses a little more than 6 oz. of blanc de blancs sparkling wine, a light and lively blend of Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Muscat.

4. Salneval Valle del Salnes Rias Baixes Albarino ($10) Long name, but worth the embarrassment of mangling the pronunciation (chances are, the people at the wine store don’t know how to say it either). This easy drinking white is delicious alone, but try it with spicy food: wash BBQ chips down with a swig, and be surprised by how well the two pair together.