Best Wines For The Hot Summer Months

Summer is the best season for getting together with friends, dining outside in the sun, and drinking crisp and refreshing wine.

After a warm day in the sun, there’s nothing as thirst-quenching as a glass of crisp chardonnay or sweet rosé.

Thankfully, there are a number of whites, reds, and sparkling wines that are perfect for sipping in the sunshine. Keep reading to find out our top ten wines for the hot summer months.

1. Riesling

Reisling is a refreshing and aromatic wine that comes from alone the Rhine River in Germany.

This versatile wine has flavours of apricots, apples, peaches, and pears, as well as high acidity levels.

It’s easy to spot Riesling on the shelves of your local supermarket as the bottles have a unique shape - a tall and slender glass bottle.

Riesling is a versatile wine that can pair perfectly with any summer food, including Thai food.

Not many wines work well with spicy meals, but Riesling can pair perfectly due to its high sugar content. It’s a cool and crisp bottle that’s perfect for the heat of the summer.

If you’re after a crisp, dry wine with fruity aromas, then Riesling is sure to bring your summer to the next level.

It has an interesting mixture of flavours and is often sweet - however, depending on the place of production, Riesling can be acidic with crisp apple and flavours, or can make a great dessert wine.

2. Pinot Grigio

Pinot Grigio is one of the most refreshing wines in the summertime.

It’s a crisp and fresh wine that has flavours of citrus, honey, pear, and green apple, creating the signature ‘zing’ we know and love in a glass of Pinot.

Pinot Grigio is made using Pinot Gris grapes, which are harvested early to retain all of the fresh acidity.

The grapes have a unique look - they can be pink, grey, or even blue depending on how long they spend on the vine.

Perfect for the summer season, Pinot Grigio pairs perfectly with seafood and vinegary food, such as salads.

This crisp white deserves a spot at the table all year round, and the summertime is no exception.

Summery, fruity notes such as mango, pineapple, and guava, Pinot Grigio is a perfect choice for a hot, sunny day.

3. Chardonnay

Chardonnay originates from the Burgandy region in France but is now grown wherever the wine is produced, including the UK.

It’s one of the most delicious wines you can drink in the summer - it’s light, refreshing, and perfect for any summer event, whether you’re relaxing in the garden or you’re having dinner with friends.

It’s one of the most popular wines out there, and people love it for a reason - the chardonnay grape is able to grow in many climates, and winemakers are able to use the chardonnay grape to make the wine how they like - light or full-bodied, refreshing or buttery.

Typically, you’ll find that Chardonnay has flavours of apple, lemon, and sometimes papaya and pineapple.

In the summer, a glass of Chardonnay can pair perfectly with buttery foods or light cheeses.

4. Rosé

Rosé is a refreshing wine that wine lovers and those who enjoy the occasional glass of wine can enjoy.

As Rosé has become an umbrella term for many different productions of wine, there are many variations - so there’s something for everybody, every season, and every occasion.

No matter how Rosé is produced, it typically has a light pink colour, a refreshingly crisp acidity, and a light body.

In the summer months, Rosé can pair perfectly with shellfish, salmon, salads, and soft cheeses.

Fruits can also pair perfectly with the refreshing wine - especially melon, strawberries, and grapes. Either way, a glass of Rosé is sure to complement your summer lunch or your evening meal.

5. Beaujolais

Beaujolais is a lighter-bodied red, that has low tannin levels and high acidity levels.

You’ll find red-berry flavours in your favourite Beaujolais, such as red cherry, raspberry, red currant, and cranberries.

You may think that red berries are more suited to winter, but they can taste delicious and refreshing on a hot summers day.

This type of wine originates in the centre of France and gets its mineral taste from the granite hillside that the grapes grow on.

It’s a fruity and juicy wine that is sure to quench your thirst after a warm day, and it pairs perfectly with many summer foods.

A glass of Beaujolais will complement many summertime meals such as light salads, seafood, meat dishes, and risottos.

6. Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most popular wines all year round, so of course, it should be mentioned as one of the best wines for the summer.

Whether you’re winding down after a long day at work, celebrating, or just catching up with friends, a glass Sauvignon Blanc is sure to live up to expectations.

It’s a dry and crisp wine with fruity flavours, making it one of the best wines you can drink in the hot summer months.

Some flavours you may notice in a glass of Sauvignon Blanc include lime, white peach, pear, passion fruit, grapefruit, and other summery, tropical fruits.

You may also notice spicy notes of jalapeno, nutmeg, clove, or green pepper.

If you’re looking to pair Sauvignon Blanc with food, opt for lighter foods, based around seafood or chicken.

7. Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is a fruity red that’s enjoyed by many all year round, especially in the summer months.

Some fruity flavours you’ll taste include raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, cherries, and plums. Other flavours could include mushrooms, forest floors, savoury spices, and even truffles.

If you’re looking to pair Pinot Noir with food, then you’ll be delighted to know that it’s a versatile wine that can pair well with roast chicken, salmon, and pasta dishes.

Pinot with higher tannin levels pairs well with duck and other game birds, as well as hearty meals such as stew or casserole. For a summer pairing, it’s best to opt for a Pinot Noir with lower tannin levels.

8. Frappato

If you’re looking for a truly light wine, you’ll be glad to know that Frappato is one of the lightest red wines you can get.

Frappato is a grape from Sicily that looks and tastes like wildflowers, epitomizing the summer season.

As expected with grapes from Sicily, they’re bursting with minerality from the environment it’s grown in, making for a refreshing wine sure to settle your tastebuds in the summer months.

Some of the best summer food pairings including oysters, red pepper, and sundried tomatoes.

9. Moscato

Moscato is one of the sweeter wine options, with a refreshing and juicy taste.

Some flavours you’ll recognise in a glass of Moscato include pear, honeysuckle, orange blossom, and peach, which makes for many summer food pairings.

Whether you’re pairing sweet desserts or summery salads, you’re sure to feel summery and refreshed with a glass of Moscato in your hand.

10. Barbera

Barbera is a super drinkable and refreshing wine from North-West Italy and is the perfect choice for summer evenings.

Not many wines pair perfectly with Pizza, but Barbera certainly complements the tomatoey flavours of Pizza.

Although you may assume that Barbera has a fuller body due to its dark red colour, it’s surprisingly lighter-bodied.

You can recognise flavours such as cherry, strawberry, and raspberry in Barbera, making it ideal for summer afternoons and evenings.