Summer is right around the corner, and you might be wondering, “At what point do I switch from red to white?”
The good news is that lighter-bodied reds can be served slightly chilled and are very refreshing in the spring and summer months. Consider trying a nice Pinot Noir or Beaujolais; these reds are lighter in body and typically fruit-forward with vibrant red fruits on the nose. Perfect if you’re a red lover who still wants to enjoy a glass of wine on the patio.
For non-red drinkers out there, this is your time to shine! Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chenin Blanc spike in popularity in the summer due to their light body, high acidity, and fruit-forwardness. While you can’t go wrong with any of these, some wines have been growing in popularity and are great alternatives. Vinho Verde and Albariño are excellent choices. Vinho Verde is a small region in Portugal known for predominantly producing white blends with some more obscure white wine grapes. Most Vinho Verdes are slightly carbonated, giving them a nice effervescence, lighter body and refreshing green fruit notes on the nose.
Albariño is grown in the Rías Baixas region of Spain, which has an excellent climate for the grape. The region, located along the Atlantic coast, provides cooler days and granite soils, resulting in wines with naturally high acidity, more citrus fruit notes on the nose, and a high minerality. If you’re curious about trying any of these wines, they’re all available at Wolf + Wildflower for you to explore. Ordering a flight is a great way to try out new and different wines to see if you like them.
When it comes to drinking wine on a hot day, you’ll want something chilled. So, should you be adding ice to your glass of wine? Adding ice will make the wine colder, but it will also eventually dilute it. While adding ice will impact the color, flavors, smell and mouthfeel of a wine, it’s not as big of a deal as many make it out to be.
If you’re worried about diluting your wine with ice, it’s important to keep your wine properly chilled. A good rule of thumb for chilling wine is to serve fuller-bodied whites and reds slightly warmer than their lighter-bodied counterparts. Lighter-bodied whites should be served at 45-50°F, while fuller-bodied whites range from 50-55°F. Light-bodied reds should be served at 55°F, while fuller-bodied reds should be served at room temperature. Another cold option is to enjoy the popular Wolf + Wildflower Frosé, which is made with only two ingredients: frozen rosé wine and a touch of simple syrup.
Sarah Galloway is the co-owner of Wolf + Wildflower wine bar in Wheat Ridge.
