The heat arrives and, almost instinctively, everyone reaches for the coldest white wine they can find. There is nothing wrong with that. A good fresh white in summer is one of the simplest and most honest pleasures that exist. But stopping there means missing out on a great deal.
Summer has more nuances than it seems, and so does the glass. If you have ever wondered
what wine to drink in summer beyond white, this article is for you. Because there are rosés that surprise, reds that work better than you might imagine in the heat, and sparkling wines that go far beyond the occasional toast.
Summer is not just white wine
Cold white wine is the consensus option. The one that never fails, the one nobody argues with, the one that appears automatically on any terrace the moment the temperature rises. But consensus, in wine as in so many other things, does not always lead to the best discoveries.
The reality is that summer is a broad season with very different moments: aperitifs in the sun, long lunches in the shade, terrace dinners when it cools down, barbecues with friends, afternoons at the beach with something light. Each of those moments has its ideal wine, and it is not always the same old white.
Rosé: the great misunderstood wine of summer
For years, rosé carried an unfair reputation. It was associated with sweet, characterless wines, made for people who did not really know what to order. That image has changed radically in recent years, and today rosé is one of the most interesting and versatile styles you can find in summer.
A good rosé is fresh, dry, with lively acidity and an aromatic expression that blends red fruit, flowers and sometimes mineral or herbal notes. It asks for nothing, it imposes nothing. It accompanies effortlessly everything from canapés to cold pasta, from a tuna salad to grilled prawns.
The key is to choose well. Not all rosés are the same. Those made from Garnacha tend to have more body and fruit. Those from Tempranillo tend to be more structured. Those from Pinot Noir, more delicate and floral. Exploring those differences is part of the fun.
At Ferrer Wines we have rosés across several of our wineries, from the Orube Rosado from La Rioja to proposals from the Penedès, that prove this style has far more to say than people usually think.
Sparkling wines: not just for toasting
Another common mistake in summer is saving sparkling wines for celebrations. A cava, a prosecco or a sparkling wine of any origin does not need a special occasion to appear on the table. In summer, in fact, they are some of the most rewarding wines that exist.
The bubbles refresh, the acidity stimulates the palate and the lightness of most sparkling wines makes them perfect for long meals without the glass becoming tiring. A good brut cava with seafood, with sushi, with a cheese board or simply as an aperitif in the sun is one of the most pleasurable combinations summer has to offer.
The cavas from the Cuvée 1887 range by Cavas Hill, for example, are organic sparkling wines with a freshness and lightness that make them ideal companions for summer meals. No artifice, no unnecessary complexity. Just well-made wine, well chilled and well enjoyed.
And if you are looking for something with more body and personality, the Panot Gaudí Brut Reserva, with its 18 months of ageing and its international award record, proves that a premium sparkling wine also has a place on a summer terrace.
Reds in summer: yes, but chosen wisely
This is where most people raise an eyebrow. Red wine in summer? With forty degrees in the shade, the idea of opening a powerful red with lots of extraction and lots of oak can seem like a bad joke. And in a certain sense it is.
But there are reds and there are reds. And many of them work perfectly in summer if chosen with care and served at the right temperature.
What to look for in a summer red is exactly the opposite of a winter red: less body, more freshness, soft tannins, good acidity and fruity aromas that do not weigh on the palate. Varieties such as Garnacha, Pinot Noir or young Tempranillo are good allies for this season.
Serving temperature is also key. A red in summer is best enjoyed between 14 and 16 °C, not at room temperature if that temperature is 28 degrees. There is no need to put it in the freezer, but keeping it in the coolest part of the fridge for a while before serving makes a complete difference to the experience.
Light reds: the great forgotten protagonists
Within summer reds, there is a category that deserves special attention: light reds with little or no oak ageing. Young, fruity wines with plenty of vibrancy and without the weight of the barrel on top of them.
They are wines that drink easily, that do not tire, that pair well with a wide variety of dishes and that allow more than one glass without the evening becoming heavy. Perfect for a barbecue, for an informal meal with friends or for that terrace dinner that goes on and on because nobody wants to leave.
A Valdubón Tempranillo or an Orube with minimal ageing are examples of reds that work well in summer contexts: they have character, they have identity, but they do not impose. They accompany without seeking the spotlight, which is exactly what you need when the plan is to relax and enjoy.
Whites with more character: beyond the fresh young wine
If you still want white wine as the protagonist of summer, it is worth exploring beyond the classic fresh young style. There are whites with a depth and complexity that make them perfect for more gastronomic moments without giving up the freshness of the season.
An Albariño aged on lees, such as the Vionta Albariño Sobre Lías from the Rías Baixas, has a texture and aromatic richness that goes far beyond the typical summer white. It is fresh, yes, but it also has body, depth and that Atlantic salinity that makes it irresistible with any dish from the sea.
The Vionta Bosque de Fuscallo, an Albariño with a period in oak, is another example of a white that defies expectations. The wood does not suppress it: it rounds it out, gives it an extra dimension that makes it a wine to sit down and enjoy slowly, not just to quench your thirst.
Serving temperature changes everything
Before talking about which wine to choose in summer, there is something more urgent to resolve: the temperature at which it is served. Because a magnificent wine served too cold or too warm can become a mediocre experience.
In summer we tend towards extremes: either we take the wine straight from the freezer, so cold it tastes of nothing, or we leave it on the table in the sun until it resembles a soup. Neither option does justice to the wine.
As a general guide, whites and rosés are best enjoyed between 8 and 12 °C. Sparkling wines, between 6 and 8 °C. Light reds, between 14 and 16 °C. And fuller-bodied reds, between 16 and 18 °C, although in summer it is best to aim for the lower end of that range.
A well-served glass, at the right temperature, in good company and with something tasty on the table: nothing more than that is needed for summer to be perfect.
Summer pairings: what to put on the table
Summer has its own dishes, and summer wines need to be up to the task. Some pairings that work especially well at this time of year:
- Seafood and grilled fish: brut cava, Albariño, young white with lively acidity.
- Salads with protein: dry rosé, white with some body, light sparkling wine.
- Meat barbecue: young fruity red, fresh Garnacha, Tempranillo with minimal ageing.
- Sushi and Asian cuisine: cava, sparkling wine, aromatic white.
- Cheeses and cured meats: almost anything works, but rosé is especially versatile here.
- Fruit desserts: sparkling wine with a touch of sweetness, aromatic white.
The general rule in summer is the same as in any other season: look for balance between the weight of the wine and the weight of the dish. Light dishes call for light wines. Heartier ones can handle a little more body and structure.
Summer is for exploring
If there is one time of year when it makes most sense to step outside your comfort zone and try something new, it is summer. The atmosphere is more relaxed, meals are more informal and there is less pressure to get the perfect wine right. It is the ideal moment to open a bottle you have never tried before, to order something different at a restaurant, to discover that a rosé from La Rioja or a light red from the Penedès might be exactly what you needed without knowing it.
At Ferrer Wines we have wines for all those moments. From the cavas of Cavas Hill to the Atlantic whites of Vionta, through the reds of Valdubón and the rosés of Orube. A selection designed to accompany every situation summer can bring, with the quality and honesty that have been our way of understanding wine for more than 130 years.
Because summer is long, the moments are many and the same old white, however good, cannot handle everything. Discover in our shop what wine to drink in summer beyond white and find yours.
