WINECHAT

Conversation with Sommelier Nils Lackner

Home
Winechat
Summer is here – and with it, the craving for lightness, carefree moments under open skies, bare feet on warm stone floors and that one unforgettable bottle of wine that tastes like sunshine. Best enjoyed on a terrace, the beach, or the deck of a boat. We spoke with someone who truly lives and loves summer – especially when wine is involved: Nils Lackner, one of Germany’s most well-known sommeliers.
Nils Lackner is a sommelier, ambassador of good taste and a born host with a serious case of wanderlust. While others are still deciding which bottle to bring to the barbecue, he might be standing on the deck of a cruise ship, leading a tasting with the open sea as a backdrop. His world revolves around exclusive Champagne events, wine journeys with an experiential twist, and tastings where expertise meets pure joie de vivre. But it’s never just about the wine in the glass – it’s about the moment it creates.

What makes the perfect summer wine for you personally – is it a grape variety, a certain style, or more about the feeling it creates?

For me, a summer wine should reflect the moment and enhance the atmosphere. It also has to be food-friendly – because summer is all about picnics, barbecues and eating outdoors. Personally, I enjoy fresh, high-acid wines, though I know that’s not everyone’s favourite style.

Of course, light white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or Vinho Verde come to mind, and rosé is often the go-to when it comes to summer. But recently, I’ve discovered some fantastic chilled reds and more full-bodied whites in places like the Mediterranean or California – they’ve definitely earned a spot in my summer lineup. And Champagne? That always works, no matter the season!

Do you agree that a good wine doesn’t need a big stage? What is in your opinion the perfect place to enjoy wine in summer?

First and foremost, a good wine needs good company to share it with. But of course, the setting plays a role too. It doesn’t have to be the cliché wine spot – sometimes it’s the unexpected places that make it special.

Personally, I love long evenings on rooftops or by the water. But when it comes to more serious tastings, I tend to prefer indoor venues – where you can focus more and taste in a controlled environment.

You host wine and Champagne tastings on cruise ships and organise wine experience tours on the island of Sylt. How does the tasting experience change when it takes place outdoors – with a sea view and a summer breeze?

On Sylt, we taste the wine right there in the vineyard where it grows. It doesn’t get more authentic than that – and my guests really feel that, too. Tasting wine in the place it comes from is always a special experience. Eating the same food as the winemaker, breathing the same air, smelling the same flora of the region – that’s a privilege.

Tasting wine in the place it comes from is always a special experience.

That said, wind can sometimes interfere with the wine’s bouquet, and that naturally affects the tasting. But in the end, we’re probably trading a bit of objectivity for a lot of emotion – and that’s a trade I’m happy to make.

In your experience, which wines perform particularly well in summer heat – and are there any no-gos at 30 degrees in the shade?

If you had asked me this question a few years ago, I probably would’ve said that heavy red wines just don’t work in summer. Today, however, I think the only thing that doesn’t work is dogmatic thinking.

Of course, white wines and rosés are the more obvious choices—but why not head over to Bordeaux and tell the winemakers that red wine doesn't suit summer? They’d just laugh at you. What really matters in warm weather are the serving and drinking temperatures of the wines. In my opinion, red wines are often served too warm anyway.

Do you have a favourite wine-related anecdote that you like to tell?

We were sitting in the Douro Valley at Quinta de Nápoles, having lunch with the entire cellar team and Daniel Niepoort. A wonderfully international, good-humoured bunch. The first person quietly placed a bottle on the table, and suddenly everyone started analysing the wine and trying to figure out what it could be – blind, of course.

I was invited to join in, and one bottle after another landed on the table. The tasting was relaxed and playful, but on an extremely high level. Luckily, I had a bottle of Txakoli from San Sebastián in my car, which I was able to throw into the mix.

After lunch, everyone had to head back to work – except for Daniel Niepoort, who asked me and another guest to stay a little longer. He had one more blind sample for us. A small sip of dark liquid was poured into our glasses.

"Tawny?" I asked. "Of course," said Daniel, "but what kind?". "An old Colheita?" He kept pushing: "How old?" The other guest guessed early ’80s, maybe even ’70s. I found the wine incredibly lively, balanced and refined, but with clear signs of maturity – so I guessed the ’60s.

Daniel grinned from ear to ear: ‘Correct – the ’60s.’ But before I could even start feeling proud, he burst out laughing and said I’d misjudged it by 100 years. We were drinking Niepoort’s legendary first vintage – 1863. Blind. WTF?

I can still taste it to this day. An absolute icon – and one of the best wine experiences of my life.

Our last question: Do you have a favourite wine – and can you tell us how you came to know and love it?

I don’t really have a single favourite bottle – or if I do, it changes constantly. Right now, it’s probably Colares from Viúva Gomes. Stephanie Hehn introduced me to it in Porto, and I’ve been hooked ever since. Sadly, there are so few bottles of it – but maybe that’s exactly what makes it so special.

In general, though, I’m a big Champagne drinker. My first real ‘aha’ moment with Champagne actually came quite late – I was already a trained sommelier at the time. A guest gave me a bottle of Egly-Ouriet Les Crayères Blanc de Noirs and told me to try it slowly, from a red wine glass. That very first sip completely changed the way I saw Champagne – and sparked a passion that never left me. I realised what Champagne can be, if you give it the space and attention it deserves.

In the end, wine has to move you – and often, it’s not just about the bottle itself, but the people you share it with. Favourite people and favourite moments are more important than favourite wines. But of course, if what’s in the bottle is great too – even better.

Private Wine Moments with Nils Lackner

Whether in a cosy living room, an intimate team setting, as a stylish finale to a workshop or a special corporate event – Nils Lackner brings wine expertise, North German charm and enjoyable moments to wherever good taste is appreciated. He offers tailor-made wine tastings for private groups and small businesses, where the focus is not only on the wines, but also on the atmosphere and the stories behind them. Professional, entertaining – and always with a glass full of personality. For further information and booking enquiries, please contact Nils directly via Instagram.

Nils Lackner on Instagram
Seite bewerten

Welcome to wine.vino.wein – the wine lover’s magazine

In our magazine you will find editorial articles and information about wine. As we are committed to the responsible use of alcoholic beverages, the content is aimed exclusively at adults and you must be at least 18 years old to visit wine.vino.wein.
Das Overlay schließen / Close the overlay
Bitte warten...