Refreshing White Wines for Warm Weather

Although according to the calendar it’s Fall, in the San Francisco Bay Area, temperatures are rising, it’s warm outside and Indian Summer is here. When the weather is warm outside there’s nothing more refreshing then a nice cold glass of white wine.

Generally, when people think of white wine they think of Chardonnay which is the most popular white wine varietal but there are many delicious white wine varietals worth giving a try and by tasting lesser known or foreign varietals you can often get a great value for your money.

Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice if you like crisp, citrusy wines and if you also want minerality or grassiness go with a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc especially one from Marborough.

Pinot Gris is typically light bodied, crisp and acidic but can have some floral notes. Italian, Californian and Alsatian Pinot Gris are the ones I suggest trying.

Riesling can be sweet or dry depending where it is made. The typical aromas of Riesling are flowers, tropical fruits and flintiness or minerality. Riesling is a great varietal to pair with spicy food and in my opinion the best ones are from Austria although there are some great Rieslings from the finger lakes region in New York.

Some lesser know white varietals are Arneis from Piedmont Italy which is generally floral scented with stone fruit flavors, Albarino from northen Spain which is typically light and crisp with high acidity and Torrontes from Argentina a dry wine with sweet aromas.

Take advantage of the warm temperatures outside and pour yourself a nice glass of cold white wine and if you have a favorite, please let me know what it is by posting it below in the comments section.

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