Many wine lovers typically associate wine with the time of year in which it is made, mainly in the fall following the grape harvest. During the hot, humid months of summer, rarely does the conversation turn to the best summer wine however, there are many who believe that a glass of cold wine in the summer is better than most other beverages at quenching their thirst and cooling them down. Despite the availability of wine coolers, many wine enthusiasts do not consider them in the same class as quality wine.
For the most part, the heavy red wines, aged in oak will not meet the criteria for a cooling summer wine, however many of the lighter white wines and roses can do the trick. Some wine lovers claim the best brand of summer wine is not necessarily the name of the vintner, rather it is how it condenses on the outside of the glass. That is, having it cold enough to cause condensation on the glass while drinking it, knowing it will offer a cooling sensation.
Many of the top picks for summer wine are from the vineyards of the Napa Valley in California and most are priced at under $20 a bottle, many even less. They are said to have a light fruit flavor, but dry wines tend to be more thirst quenching than may of the heavier red wines, regardless of the consumption temperature.
Temperature Range Is Personal Preference
Many wines are recommended to be consumed at specific temperatures and while the temperature of the wine may play a role in many wine-drinking circles, other believe that summer wine should be consumed at a lower temperature than the same wine consumed during colder climates. For most, it is truly a personal preference that establishes the recommended wine temperature when compared to the outside temperature.
Additionally, many advertisers have shied away from pushing wine brands during the summer but recently the availability of summer wine has gone beyond the six-pack mentality of a quick cool down from a favorite wine cooler. As most people continue consuming their beverage of choice once the weather becomes warmer, the sales of light summer wine varieties continues to increase.
Crisp white wines and the lighter roses are more likely to find themselves on the table in the summer, and not only at mealtime. Many are finding the summer wine selection making a great partner sitting on the deck or beside the pool during the hot summer months.
