In the San Francisco Bay Area, it’s been over 90 degrees for the past few days. Hot. Hot. Hot. So my big question for you is what is your favorite hot-weather wine? Today, we’re going to explore some of the most popular ones.
What to Look For
When it’s hot outside (if you prefer, you can say sweltering, steaming, blistering or baking), what should you look for? The answer is anything refreshing. And in white wines, here are some of the qualities to look for:
- High acidity – According to Bloomberg, “Big, rich wines with low acidity make you feel sluggish and sleepy, while citrusy, high-acid examples have the kind of liveliness and refreshment you get from tart lemonade.”
- Low alcohol – High alcohol makes you feel hotter.
- Light to medium body – You want wines with zing. You typically get zing from light, crisp whites, not from heavy wines.
- Avoid heavily oaked wines – These feel heavy.
- Dry taste – Sweet wines often have too much sugar to be refreshing.
Some Good Hot-Weather Wines
- Sauvignon Blanc – When I think of adult lemonade, I think of this wine. It is so incredibly refreshing.
- Albarino – This amazing Spanish white is known for aromas of lemon, lime, pear, grapefruit, nectarine and orange zest. It’s another wine that shows up incredly well on the refreshing scale.
- Riesling – The perfect blend of sweetness and acidity makes this wine wonderfully food friendly.
- Pinot Grigio – An easy, go-to summer wine that is perfect for a light Italian meal.
- Dry Rosé – This wine was created for summer, even though it’s now happily enjoyed year round.
- Pinot Noir – Okay, we need to throw a red wine in the mix. Why Pinot? It’s lighter than most reds and, if served slightly chilled, can be very refreshing.
Have I Left Out One of Your Favorites?
I listed some of my favorites, along with some of the most popular summer sippers. Please let me know if I left yours off the list. Thanks.
Cheers!
