It’s finally that time of the year again – summer. Sun, beaches, meeting up with friends, going on vacation, and getting that perfect summer tan in your backyard with a glass of wine in hand – after all, summer is not complete without a good wine.
However, with so many different types, brands, flavors, and so on, choosing the right summer wine can be quite challenging, especially if you are not really a wine specialist. You can become one, though.
If you love wine as much as we do, you can sign up for wine workshops, like the ones organized by Acker Wines. It would be a perfect addition to your summer plans, and definitely an unforgettable experience.
Now, back to the topic – perfect summer wine. As proud wine lovers, we want to help you, and other people looking for this particular beverage. So, if you want to find out more about what to look for in a summer wine, and discover which wines we recommend trying out this summer, all you have to do is keep reading.
What to look for in a summer wine?
Since we already mentioned that choosing the right wine is hard, we will tell you what you need to pay attention to when shopping for one. Keep in mind that it will differ, depending on whether you want a red, white, or rose wine. Here is what you should be looking for in different types of wines:
- white wine – the perfect summer white wine should have high acidity and dry taste. It also should be either light or medium-bodied (contain up to 13.5% of alcohol)
- red wine – when choosing a red wine for a summer evening, look for one with low tannin levels and high acidity. Since you probably want it to cool you down, look for those which still have a great taste after being chilled.
- rosé wine – there are three things to keep in mind when shopping for a bottle of rosé wine. The first thing that you should focus on is its age, as this type of wine should be consumed within a year or two after production. Secondly, don’t mistake a fruity wine with sweet wine – a fruity wine can be bitter, which also brings us to the third point. Don’t write off dry wines – sometimes they are exactly what you need on a hot, summer night.
Top 5 Summer-Worthy Wines
After long consideration, we put together a list of five wines, which will be PER-FECT for a relaxing summer night:
- Beaujolais – this type of wine contains low levels of tannin, which is a compound responsible for the wine’s bitter taste. The higher its level, the bitter the wine is. Beaujolais is very popular among bistros in France, and its lightness makes it a great choice for hot, sunny days. Nouveau is produced in November, and since it should be drunk within a year – the end of June or the beginning of July will be the perfect time to do it.
- Pinot Noir – a very popular type of red wine with a light, fruity flavor. If the high temperature becomes too much to handle, you can always place a bottle in a fridge for half an hour or so, and enjoy a cold beverage after.
- Chardonnay – white wine originating from Burgundy, France. To fully enjoy its taste, place in the fridge for an hour and a half, and take it out 20 minutes before serving – this will make the wine of similar temperature as in a cellar. When it comes to Chardonnay, the temperature is very important. Leave it for too long in the fridge, and you won’t be able to taste the rich flavor as the chill will overtake it. On the other, if it’s too hot, the alcohol will be much more noticeable for your tastebuds.
- Sauvignon Blanc – even though the grapes used to make it originate from Bordeaux in France, nowadays, it is produced all over the world. Some of the notable regions include Italy, New Zealand, or California.
- Riesling – white wine originating from the Rhine, Germany. This is one of the few white wines that go well with all types of food – whether it’s just a light, fruit salad, or an Angus steak, this wine will work just fine.
The Bottom Line
There’s probably nothing better during summer days than relaxing in your backyard or on your balcony with a chilled glass of wine in hand. It’s a season associated with happiness, sun, festivals, and so on.
Since it’s a very uplifting time, there’s no reason for you not to let loose and try all of the wines we recommended – this way, you will be able to judge for yourself if what we said was true, and if you agree with our opinion.
You have nothing to lose – think about it. Cheers!