This is not true. There are no “seasonal wines” because every wine can be drunk in every season. You just need to adopt the right practices.

In our article, we give you 3 tips for enjoying a red wine in the warmer months.

1. Serve red wine chilled!

The first and most important tip concerns the temperature at which to serve red wines. The temperature at which to serve them is conventionally identified as 16-18°C.

In summer the temperature can easily reach and exceed 30°C. At this temperature, red wine loses much of its qualities, becoming very "heavy", unpleasant and “difficult” to drink. For this reason, red wines should be “refreshed” and brought to their “ideal temperature”, which ranges from 16°C to 18°C.

In summer, red wine should be brought to the table after having placed it in a wine cellar or in an ice bucket. In a few minutes the wine will reach the ideal temperature.

2. During the meal, keep the red wine in the ice bucket!

Our second tip is linked to the first. It is a detail that should be carefully considered if you want to drink a red wine in the summer to its full potential!

Imagine the following situation. It has probably happened to you! You order red wine in the summer and it is correctly served chilled, at the ideal temperature; but after serving the guests, here is the mistake: the bottle is left alone on the table! The high temperatures cause the bottle to heat up quickly and, even if it has been “cooled” previously, all the efforts are wasted and the tasting compromised.

Even during the meal, the bottle of red wine should be kept cool. The solution is the ice bucket, to always keep on the table or even better on a separate table. And even when you are in a restaurant, don't be afraid to ask for it. You will make a great impression, demonstrating the skills of a true sommelier!

3. Red wine with summer dishes? Yes you can!

Don't be afraid to pair a red wine with a classic cold summer dish! There are red wines that have qualities that make them perfect with fish-based dishes or vegetable-based dishes that are very popular in the warmer months.

The Italian wine scene is full of light, fresh, young red wines, with moderate alcohol content and structure, excellent with fish and vegetable dishes.

In a previous article, we identified 6 Red Wines to Drink in Summer, from Lambrusco to Valpolicella Classico, passing through Bardolino. To enjoy a red wine with a summer dish, choose these red wines.