Summer is one of the most pleasant times of the year to spend in company, strolling along the promenade or enjoying a pleasant dinner on the terrace. And at times like these you cannot miss fresh, light white wines to accompany dinner, especially fish dishes.
The white wine in summer in fact gives its best, because the low serving temperatures and the bubbles that often accompany the best bottles help to refreshing the palate and go well with hors d'oeuvres, first and second courses. I white wines are thirst quenchingwhich makes them more suitable for hot summer days.
Some tips on light white wines
Before discovering what are the light and fresh white wines of summerit is important to make a few preliminary clarifications. Besides being, in most cases, thirst-quenching wines, they are often young winesvinified in temperature-controlled steel barrels, and poorly structured.
The ideal serving temperature is around 10-12°Cand therefore not too cool as for sparkling wines. We also recommend use an ice bucket to keep the bottle at temperature throughout dinner.
The type of chalice recommended for young, fresh white wines is the characteristic tulip shapei.e. with the opening wider than the body. This structure of the glass, which is slightly flared, allows the wine to reach directly on the tip of the tonguewhere the receptors of acidity and sweetness are located, characteristics that are particularly pronounced in these wines.
The three types of fresh, light white wines
Depending on the predominant organoleptic characteristic, one can distinguish light white wines into:
- fruity
- floral
- minerals
All three types are suitable for serving in summer, and the choice depends only on personal taste and preference.
The best white wines of summer
What are the light and fresh white wines to serve during the summer to make your grilled fish even more special or to liven up your seafood salad? Here is a selection of the best white wines of the summer.
1. La Pettegola Vermentino
The Vermentino is one of the freshest and lightest white wines most popular with Italians in summer, thanks to its important flavour reminiscent of the scent of the sea. And there is no better vermentino than the La Pettegola Banfi. Uncorking the bottle is like taking a dip on the sunny beaches of the Mediterranean, immersed in the floral and spicy scent typical of the Mediterranean maquis, with particular notes of apricot and grapefruit. The palate is soft and persistent, fresh and well-structured, perfect with fish dishes.
2. Serena Sauvignon Blanc
Serena is the white wine from the Sauvignon Blanc variety from the Banfi vineyards. Perfect to drink in summer, it has an intense bouquet with citrus notes and goes excellently with fresh vegetable dishes as well as with more intensely flavoured recipes. Its suggested serving temperature is 10-12°C.
3. Fontanelle Chardonnay
The Fontanelle Toscana IGT by Banfi is one Chardonnay deeply rooted in the Montalcino terroir and, like all chardonnays, is fresh and light, perfect to accompany a fish dinner. It is rich in very intense floral and fruity aromas, including notes of pear, apricot and sambuca. The structure is light and well balanced, with a lingering finish that leaves a fresh, characteristic hint of vanilla in the mouth.
4. White ribs
The Centine Toscana IGT Banfi is a fresh, light and extremely versatile wine, perfect to accompany seafood first courses such as spaghetti allo scoglio or rice with squid ink. It is very balanced in structure and flavouri, with a sweet balance of white fruit, citrus and floral notes.
5. San Angelo Pinot Grigio
The San Angelo Banfi is a Pinot Grigio which goes well with summer occasions and fish dinners, as it is a white wine thirst-quenching and savoury. It has an enveloping and intense aroma, bringing to mind the citrus groves of Sicily, with notes of apple and peach, and a balanced flavour with a lingering finish.
6. Princess Gavia Cortese
With the Princess Gavia Gavi DOCG by Banfi you will never go wrong if you are looking for a good white wine in summer. This wine of great tradition Piedmontese is indeed fresh and intense in both aroma and taste. On the nose, hints of lime and golden apple can be detected, while in the mouth there is an unusual softness balanced by a hint of acidity on the finish.