I’m Delaney, a 26-year-old living between Los Angeles, California, and Edinburgh, Scotland, working as a freelance publicist for brands in the culinary, drinks and travel space.

My relationship to wine started nearly two years ago when I dove headfirst into this career path, primarily working with wineries and wine regions in Oregon, including the Rogue Valley where I’m originally from.

Wine can still feel intimidating at times, both as a Gen Z consumer and as someone new to the industry. There is so much to discover, explore and taste, and I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.

Delaney likes choosing wines with a ‘compelling backstory’ more than brand-name recognition or accolades, and loved discovering more about this wine, made by a sister and brother duo.

(Image credit: Decanter)

I’m still learning, and the wine industry is built up of so many knowledgeable, passionate people that I tend to turn to the experts when I’m looking to try something new.

This means heading to my local bottle shop in LA – Stanley’s Wet Goods in Culver City – where I gave my pal, Antonio (who is also the winemaker of Flowers & Cheese), a rundown of what I was looking for.

I explained I’d recently been enjoying German and Austrian white varieties, as more and more Oregon wineries are growing those grapes to make fresh summer wines. Next, I requested a bottle less than $30 and easy to serve at an outdoor party (so, no cork if possible).

Antonio recommended several options, but after a taste of the 2024 Glow Glow from Germany’s Nahe region, I was sold. (Glow Glow is a play on the french term glou-glou, for a light, juicy quaffable wine.)

I selected this bottle to serve as a welcome pour at a summer barbecue I hosted as a going-away party for my boyfriend.

I wanted something chilled and easy-drinking, especially for my beer- and seltzer-loving friends who are still apprehensive about wine. It never gets old watching that ‘a-ha’ moment from friends when they’ve enjoyed a sip of something they wouldn’t typically go for, but end up loving.

The 2024 Glow Glow Weiss is everything I love from a white wine in the warmer months. It’s crisp, juicy and ripe – but not sweet – and smells more like fruit than florals.

When served chilled, the first sip was as refreshing as drinking an ice-cold glass of water on a hot day: you tilt your head back and say ‘ahhhh’!