Summer makes you want frosty glasses, tables that go on forever and bottles that are easy to share. Galileo recalled that, a phrase which takes on its full meaning when the thermometer rises.
Between pale rosés, ultra-vivid whites and fine bubbles, choosing the right bottles can quickly become a headache. The idea is not to collect labels, but to keep a few truly delicious rosé and white wines for the summer.
Rosé or white: the right reflexes for a gourmet summer
First instinct, style: lively whites or taut rosés are more refreshing than woody or sweet vintages. Then, the ideal serving temperature is around 8 to 10°C for the freshest wines, 10 to 12°C for the most structured.
It remains to decide between rosé and white. For an aperitif or a shared pizza, a Mediterranean rosé like Belrose IGP Méditerranée, between $6.99 and $7.99, works very well with appetizers, seafood and scampi.
Rosés with character: from the terrace to the summer table
Some bottles take indulgence further. Piccitoni from Clos Vignarella, an organic Corsican rosé for 10 euros, accompanies an aperitif that extends to grilled meats, with notes of maquis herbs and red fruits.
For a mealtime rosé, the organic Rosé Grande Cuvée from Château des Sarrins, at 19 euros, combines a very pale color, a spicy touch and sufficient substance to accompany grilled meats. Lighter, Chill from Château Puech-Haut displays 9.5 degrees of alcohol while remaining aromatic.
Summer whites and cellar secrets to keep fresh
On the white side, there is no shortage of aromatic profiles. Montespina sauvignon Rueda DO focuses on the freshness of sauvignon blanc and is ideal with smoked salmon, tomatoes with shrimp, prawns or octopus. Further north, the G22 from Bodega Gorka Izagirre presents itself as , writes La Tribune Dimanche, with fennel, pink grapefruit and white flowers.
Cuvée Célestine, an organic white from the Luberon described as , combines brilliant color, intense zest and notes of jasmine. To celebrate going on vacation, Sophie Cossy’s village cuvée brightens up the table, especially in full swing. At the table, keeping these wines between 8 and 12°C and protecting the bottles from the sun prevents the aromas from tiring.
Which rosé to choose for an aperitif?
A pale and lively Mediterranean rosé, such as Belrose IGP Méditerranée between $6.99 and $7.99, is sufficient for appetizers, seafood and pizza.
Which white wine to pair with seafood?
A lively white like a Rueda Sauvignon or a Basque G22 brings lemon, pink grapefruit and a saline note very suitable for shellfish.
How to refresh your summer wines without damaging them?
The files dedicated to summer wines advise placing them in the refrigerator then in an ice bucket, avoiding the freezer, ice cubes in the glass and direct sunlight.
