The numbers are in white. In 2025, sparkling wine, white wine, and rosé will be all the rage – fruity, fresh, light, and served cold. All well and good, but – that's it!
We think red wine also brings fun to summer. The secret? The right choice and the right temperature. High-alcohol, heavy red wines with lots of wood and tannins are a no-go at 30 degrees Celsius in the shade. These seem twice as heavy in the heat and reveal their uncharming side. The alcohol burns, the fruit is flat, and the wine becomes a warm disappointment.
No wonder – at outside temperatures of 30 degrees Celsius, the wine temperature rises from 16 to 20 degrees Celsius within 10 minutes. And with it, the perception of alcohol. That's why you shouldn't serve red wine at "room temperature" in summer. In summer, red wine also belongs in the refrigerator. Served chilled – at 12 to 16 degrees Celsius, depending on the style – this young red wine shows its best side: fruity, lively, and incredibly drinkable. If you like, you can even briefly place it in an ice bucket. Yes, seriously – it'll stand up to that!
For an aperitif on the terrace, we recommend red wines with low tannins and alcohol content, preferably from a steel tank rather than a barrique. Good acidity, juicy fruit, and light weight. Why not a nice Dolcetto d'Alba from Altare? Classic Piedmontese, charming. Or the Frater from Barollo – soft, round, uncomplicated. And if you want to go further south, try a Roma Rosso from Federici, easy-drinking and full-bodied. Even further south? Better not – at 40 degrees in the shade, it's just too southern.
Do you have questions or are you looking for a recommendation? Just drop by, either at Vergani on Löwenplatz or at our Enoteca Storica in Wiedikon. Or how about a wine seminar for even more knowledge and inspiration? And who knows – maybe a cool, young red will be the focus of your next summer party.
