The weather is getting warmer and the nights longer. That can only mean one thing: summer. The changing temperatures mean you’ll be moving away from the rich, deep winter red wines to lighter, crispier varieties. Typically, what makes for a good summer wine are varieties that complement the warm weather while providing a refreshing palette. Below are some of the best varieties to enjoy this summer – from white to rosé to red.
White – Riesling
Riesling is an aromatic grape that produces a sparkling wine in dry or sweeter favours. It originates from the German Rhine area, but is now produced across many prominent wine regions such as Australia, South Africa, and the Ukraine, to name a few. Riesling has a slightly more acidic favour which makes it especially tasty when enjoyed cooled. It is versatile when it comes to food pairings and goes well with even stronger spices used in Asian cuisines. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel drums which keeps the taste light and juicy. Its refreshing nature makes it a perfect cooler for hot summer evenings. Want more help choosing a Riesling? Here’s what you can expect different varieties to taste like.
White – Vinho Verde
Technically, this Portuguese white translates to “green wine”. That’s because the grapes are used when they’re still very young. Although more difficult to get hold of outside of Portugal, this white wine is a crisp, light, and spritzy treat. There are a few different varieties of vinho verde – some taste more floral while others tend to be a bit creamier and fragrant. What all of them have in common though is that the wine tends to be fizzier and typically has a lower alcohol content. This doesn’t mean you should skimp on rehydration though.
Rosé – Grenache
Spring is the perfect time to start getting out the rosé, and that’s particularly true for darker varieties like Montepulciano and Syrah. These are more medium-bodied and combine clove and cinnamon favours. But come summer, you may want to opt for a lighter variety like rosés based on Grenache grapes. These will be light in color, but taste full of berries and watermelon – all the most refreshing summer flavours. Grenache rosés tend to be dryer than some other varieties.
Red – Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is among the lightest of the red wine varieties. It combines delicate notes of raspberry and cherry and has a silky texture. Areas known best for making quality Pinot Noir are New Zealand, California, and Burgundy. Those originating from cooler climates tend to be lighter. Because they make for a great pairing with most meals, Pinot Noirs are the perfect choice for a summer picnic or a BBQ. So don’t hold back! Psst. accidentally spilled some red on your picnic blanket or shirt? Here are some useful tips every wine connoisseur should know to remove wine stains from clothing.