This weekend, in addition to celebrating our dear dads, we will celebrate the arrival of summer this Saturday, June 20. Summer means the return of picnics, garden aperitifs, and barbecues with friends! With the high summer heat, it’s not always clear which wines to drink. Indeed, there’s no question of opening a full-bodied red wine that might put your guests to sleep. However, we reassure red wine lovers: all three colors can be enjoyed throughout the summer, even in high temperatures! We explain more below.
Rosé wines, the stars of summer
Rosé wine is the wine of summer! It’s the first to come to mind to serve and enjoy when warm, sunny days return. However, not all rosés are refreshing. Beware of full-bodied rosés, which are easily recognized by their deeper color. Save your rosés from Languedoc and the Rhône Valley for cooler days to better appreciate them. Opt for very pale, fruity rosés with a light taste. Dry rosés will be the most refreshing. Rosé wines from the Loire Valley and Provence are perfect to accompany your tomato-mozzarella salads. Pale rosés also pair very well with charcuterie. Don’t hesitate to combine Parma ham and chilled melon for a successful flavor mix!
White wines, always winners
In summer, white wines are enjoyed very chilled, between 8 and 12 degrees. An exception applies to some great Burgundies or Alsace whites, which should not be served below 10 degrees to preserve their aroma. For white wines to enjoy during summer, choose dry, mineral whites, which are more refreshing. Wines from Southern France, Corsica, the Loire Valley, and some light Burgundies are ideal. Avoid sweet and dessert wines, which are too sugary and tend to make you thirstier. White wines pair wonderfully with seafood or grilled fish.
And yes, reds too
Light red wines can definitely be enjoyed during summer and can even be very pleasant to drink in the heat. Avoid tannic, full-bodied, and structured reds like those from Languedoc and the Southwest, which are too heavy when it’s hot. Red wines from the Loire Valley, Beaujolais, Pinot Noirs from Alsace, or Burgundy are perfect for summer meals. Choose fruity reds and serve them between 12 and 14°. To keep your red wine nicely chilled, place the bottle in the refrigerator for half an hour. The wine will be slightly cooled and ready to serve. Light red wines pair wonderfully with your grilled dishes at a barbecue.
Sparkling wines, for all occasions
For the most festive, serve champagnes and crémants well chilled between 8 and 10 degrees. If you’re outdoors, we recommend serving them chilled (in a bucket of cold water with ice). For champagnes, choose extra brut, which are drier and have less sugar, making them the most thirst-quenching. If you prefer demi-sec Champagne, like the great palaces, try “la piscine” by adding ice cubes to your glass. The cold from the ice balances the sugar in the demi-sec for a fresh and sparkling result! Another summer star is the spritz. This mix, made from the Italian aperitif Aperol, prosecco, and topped with sparkling water, is served very cold and at any time!
