3 Tips for Enjoying a Red Wine During the Warmer Months
Reds in winter and whites in summer. In the world of wine, this association is immediate and strongly rooted in the collective imagination. As if to say: summer does not want red wines!
This is a false myth that must be debunked. There are no “seasonal wines” because most wines can be tasted in any season, all is needed is for one to make the right preparations.
1- Served red wine chilled!
The first and most important tip concerns the serving temperature of red wine. According to the general rule, white wines should be served fresh while red wines should be served at room temperature.
But be careful, in oenology, the expression room temperature does not refer generically to the temperature of the air or the surrounding space, but to a rather precise value, which conventionally is around 16-18 degrees.
As you well know, in summer the outside temperature and that of the environment you are in can easily reach and exceed 30 degrees. At these temperatures, red wine loses most of its qualities, becoming very heavy, unpleasant and “difficult” to drink. For this reason, in these circumstances, red wines should be “refreshed” and brought to their “ideal temperature”, from 16 to 18 degrees.
That is why, in summer, there is nothing wrong with it, but, on the contrary, it is advisable to bring fresh red wine to the table after having placed it in a cellar or in an ice bucket. And it won’t take too long either because in a few minutes the nectar will reach the ideal temperature: 16-18 degrees, don’t forget!
2- During the meal, keep the red wine in the ice bucket!
Our second tip is closely related to the first and is often underestimated. This is a detail that should be carefully considered if you want to enjoy a red summer wine to its fullest potential!
The point is that even during the meal, the bottle of red wine must be kept cool and the temperature under control. One solution is an ice bucket in which to store the bottle, to always keep on the table or even better in a separate table. Even when you’re in a restaurant, don’t be shy to ask for it, as you will make a great impression demonstrating the skills of a true sommelier!
3 – Pairing red wine with summer dishes? Of course you can!
Our third and final piece of advice is to dispel the false myth with which we opened our article. Don’t be afraid to combine a red wine with a classic cold summer dish! There are, in fact, reds that have the characteristics to marry fish-based or vegetable-based dishes that are very popular in the warmer months.
The Italian wine scene is rich in light, fresh, young red wines, with good acidity and aromaticity, as well as moderate alcohol content and structure. Characteristics such as this make them suitable to be drank with seafood or vegetable based cold dishes. Or, if you want the best of both worlds, you can taste our Cerasuolo Rieccolo.
