What wine should you drink in the (hot) summer? A few tips free from the usual dogmas
From white wines to rosés and sparkling wines – and why not reds too? – you just need to approach them with the right attitude at the right time, without getting too ideological about it
Every summer, along with the heat, the wine experts return. As punctual as mosquitoes, they remind us what we can and cannot drink: red wine is off limits, sparkling wine is only for celebrations, rosé is a half-baked wine, and ice in your glass is a matter for the UN to address.
The truth is much simpler: d’estate wine should be less ideological and much more enjoyable.
Let’s start with a great classic: Vermentino. It tastes of the sea even when the sea is two hundred kilometres away. Citrus, Mediterranean scrub, a lovely savoury note and that ability to make even spaghetti with clams seem sophisticated. Or a fish barbecue. Or that impromptu dinner that, just five minutes earlier, was supposed to be ‘just an aperitif’.
The Pinot Bianco is one of those wines that doesn’t feel the need to take centre stage. Elegant, fresh and well-balanced. It goes beautifully with a caprese salad, fish, vegetables or a chicken salad. It never makes a fuss but, when the bottle is empty, there’s always someone who asks: “What was that?”.
The Verdicchio is one of the most underrated white wines we have. Fresh, savoury, with a lovely character and a rare ability to complement a meal. Sushi, tartare, shellfish, delicate risottos, but even a simple mozzarella and tomato dish: it’s hard to go wrong with it.
