Served cool, loved hot!
What makes a good summer wine?
But what exactly defines the much talked-about “summer wine”? Are there any rules? Sensory characteristics? Specific grape varieties? A special style? Or is it all just a matter of temperature and daily mood?
Spoiler: It’s a bit of everything – which is exactly why it’s worth taking a closer look at what’s in the bottle and the glass.
Between citrus and spritz – what summer wines have in common
Freshness & acidity:
Sounds technical, but it’s what makes your mouth water. Crisp whites (like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, or Verdejo) thrive on it – but so do rosés with a lively backbone and reds like a young Trollinger or a chilled Gamay.
Lower alcohol:
When wine feels heavy in the glass in summer, it usually weighs just as heavy on the mind. Most summer wines tend to sit between 11 and 12.5% ABV – easy to drink, and still enjoyable after the second glass.
Light, vibrant aromas:
On the nose, citrus fruits, green apples, white blossoms, red berries or even a hint of salty minerality take the lead – summer wines play in a different aromatic league than spicy barrel-aged wines or jammy blockbusters. They often taste like a fruit platter by the pool – and that’s meant as a compliment.
Serving temperature:
Cool head for hot days – yes, even with reds! A slightly chilled Pinot Noir or Zweigelt can be perfect in summer (12–14 °C). Crisp whites and fruity rosés are best at 8–10 °C. Never ice cold! But if you’re drinking outside, feel free to start on the cooler side – the wine will warm up soon enough.
Low tannins, high drinkability:
Especially in reds, too much tannin can weigh things down. Summer reds should be juicy, smooth, and easygoing. Think berries, not barrique
Texture:
Summer wines feel crisp and refreshing rather than creamy or oily – more like a plunge into cool water. Only more enjoyable.
Typical summer grape varieties …
...known for their freshness, lightness, and flavour – perfect for hot days and laid-back evenings.
White wines
Classics like Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Verdejo, Grüner Veltliner, or Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris deliver crisp acidity, vibrant fruit aromas, and often a lean, refreshing structure – ideal for warm days and relaxed summer nights.
Rosé wines
Grapes such as Grenache, Cinsault, Mourvèdre, or Zweigelt create delicately fruity rosés, often bursting with flavours of strawberry, raspberry, or cherry. Served well-chilled, they’re like a mini Mediterranean getaway in a glass.
Red summer wines
Gamay, Trollinger, Pinot Noir, or Frappato are light, fruit-forward, and shine when served slightly chilled – no campfire romance required.
In short:
Summer wine isn’t here to impress. It’s here to delight. Not to show off, but to simply be there – an easygoing companion to good times.
The best summer wine? The one you love to share.
Sure, there are recommendations. Grape varieties. Styles. Ideal temperatures. But in the end, the best summer wine is always the one that fits the moment. A picnic with friends. A warm evening on the balcony. The clink of ice cubes in a carafe.
Summer wine isn’t a category – it’s a promise. Of lightness, of pure enjoyment in a glass, of the carefree feeling that nothing needs to be decided right now. Except maybe: top it up – or open a second bottle?
Because when the weather’s warm, wine should be cool. And if it goes down easy – even better.
So: open the fridge, call your favourite people, pour a glass – and raise it to summer. As soon as you can. As often as you like.