The most delicious fresh wines for the summer
It's summer time and that calls for a nice list of fresh summer wines. As we said earlier (also read: these are our favorite wines for home use) we are certainly not wine connoisseurs, but we are good tasters. And so we have actually tried a few things again. Of which deed. So, you're welcome!
Okay, this one is special. Montes Outer Limits Albariño comes straight from Chile, but it tastes like you're sitting on a terrace in Galicia with a view of the sea. Salty, fresh and a little bit quirky, just the way we like it. Because of the vineyards that are right on the Chilean coast, this wine has that salty and minerally touch where you spontaneously refill your glass.
It is mega delicious with oysters (if you like that), fish from the grill, or just on its own during a warm evening. Think: feet in the grass, sun on your face, glass in hand. That works.
When you say Argentinian red wine, you immediately think of a heavy Malbec that you almost break your teeth on. But this Kaiken Disobedience? It says a resounding: "No thanks!" This is a blend that throws the rules overboard and just goes its own way. Fresh, juicy and full of character. Not as heavy and heavy as you might be used to, but rather lighter and with less alcohol, which is really no punishment on a sultry summer evening.
Perfect with a well-filled drinks platter, a pizza from the oven or simply because you want something different from the standard.
You know AIX of course from that delicious rose (yes, the one that just tastes even better with a cube of ice when it's warm). But did you know they now have two new wines? They have a white wine released, super fresh and really perfect for a sunny terrace. And..if you don't feel like drinking alcohol but still want to join in the fun, they also have an alcohol-free rosé bubble (Beau Viva). And believe me: you really can't taste that it's alcohol-free. So if you want something festive but without the hangover? Then this is one to stock up on!
Looking for a wine that (almost) everyone will enjoy? Then you can't go wrong with a Verdejo. This white top wine comes from Rueda, a region in Spain that is truly known for its crackingly good Verdejos. And believe us: you can taste it.
This particular Verdejo smells wonderfully of peach and a hint of anise, and also has such a creamy texture that your mouth will be happy about. But (and this is important) it stays nice and fresh. Exactly what you want when you are standing outside on a warm day with a glass in your hand. So, plan that garden party and make sure this is on the table. We say: do it!
What is also a really good idea, if we say so ourselves, is a chilled red wine. Not ice cold of course – about 15 degrees is perfect. And no, not all red wines are suitable for this. A merlot can just go very well. And these are two top ones anyway:
- Gómez Cruzado, Crianza 2018
and also from Spain:
- El Tribut de Scala Dei 2021 – a very young wine and a firm favorite! Save this and thank us later.
Excuse me? Chardonnay? Are we going to swear? Okay, there are people who swear by a nice full chardonnay, but I'm not those people ;). And yet… A Chardonnay without wood aging is my new favorite! At Europizza in Amsterdam North they check out a delicious natural wine in that category (gogogo!) and if you find one, definitely go for it!
In the same corner, Viré-Clessé from Domaine du Mont-Epin is also highly recommended! By the way, a Chablis is made from the same grapes and a Chablis is actually always a very good idea.
Finally, on a different note, but still: at the online supermarket Crisp we are now happy to score a very tasty, crispy Pouilly Smoke.
We already found that out, HEMA has a nice range of good wines. Once again they have a big winner to emerge on a hot summer day. You can get a bottle of white here for only seven euros Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner get it (yes, you heard it right) and it's delicious! A summer afternoon with a delicious drink, that also includes a nice fresh dry wine. It is not without reason that Grüner Veltliner is the gem of Austrian white wines. And yes, we certainly agree with that!
Chateau d'Esclans, a fairytale estate with very fine rosé wines, located in the heart of Provence, in the always wonderful France. By the way, it is the most important region for rosé wine production in the world.
Whispering Angel en Rock Angel are extremely popular! And with good reason, we were allowed to taste them at Restaurant Nela in Amsterdam South. And wow, we'll drive to France to stock up on a box. Not necessary: it can also be purchased online via Gall.nl
Rock Angel is special for a rosé because it is aged in wood. This really adds spice to the wine for a rosé. Whispering Angel is a light, refreshing rosé. Perfect for a sunny summer day. The delicious rosés from Chateau d'Esclans are made without added sugars, and you know what they say: no (or fewer) headaches the next day.
This Portuguese pearl is not very well known, and that is a shame because oh oh how delicious it is. This is the kind that you always have at home. It is an accessible yet refined rosé. For a hot summer day Quinta de Saes Dao rose the bottle you have to open. Refreshingly dry, yet sweet rosé with a very soft taste of raspberries and wild strawberries. This is a rosé with character and everything a rosé should have. Perfect for a delicious glass to enjoy in those last sunny days of the year.
Anselmo Mendes Muros Antigos
We have discovered Portugal a bit lately with their delicious wines (you wouldn't think so, but it is true). But we are pleasantly surprised! This way you have a very nice dry white wine, Anselmo Mendes Muros Antigos. Delicious as an aperitif and delicious with a summer chicken salad. Once you take a sip, that summery freshness sinks in, which is why this wine is one that we love for the (oh how happy we are!) beautiful Indian summer that will hopefully spoil us again this year. Fill your glass, add an ice cube and enjoy! Anselmo Mendes Muros Antigo
Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde
Are you having friends over for an intimate dinner or a nice drink? This Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde is the bottle you should serve to surprise everyone. The fresh dry taste changes after a while into a powerful and unique undertone. This wine has a super good price tag for what it offers (That's what we like). Oh yes, actually all Soalheiro wines are super tasty. Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde
By popular request, De Rose! With the first rays of spring we also unveil the first rosés of the year. May it be this one: the Blue Emotion, which promises to be the summer hit of the year? Beautiful light pink complexion in your glass, fresh sip and a fruity aftertaste. This Frenchman, from Languedoc, promises something. After all, wonderful summer evenings start with a well-filled glass of this blend. Blink twice and the bottom has been reached, there we go with number two. And then, with lovely pink cheeks, into the warm evenings. We will take this with us throughout the summer season and it cannot be missed on our list!
Ooh la la one from sunny España! The enjoyment can begin when the cork says 'pop' and the drink has started. Although this sauvignon deserves a great place in your wine cellar all year round, we like to drink it chilled at slightly higher temperatures. This goes so well with your drinks with slightly riper goat cheeses. Or a fresh salad isn't bad either. A deliciously juicy glass for all year round!
Hey-hello to even more bottled grape fun! This delight is a verdejo and was given the name La Sonrisa Blanco Edicion Reserva. Sounds, what they call, chic. Means something even nicer, 'the smile'. Well ladies and gentlemen, we don't know if it is this wine, but you will get that smile. Hints of exotic fruit, so versatile that you would actually want to open it every day and... Yes, just a top tip to chill in advance. Because, summer in your glass! Okay, that's what we're going for.
This thirst quencher is one that we came across by chance and now can't live without. Tip: are you looking for a new bottle of wine and you have no idea what it should be? Check which shelf is empty, double check whether it is the only one that has not been refilled, otherwise the wine is also a favorite with your fellow human beings. Of course, this does not always mean that you have a pearl in your hands, but in the case of... Kremstal Grüner Veltliner you won't be disappointed. This white wine has a surprisingly light bubble and apparently you call this 'sparkling wine'. Sparkling wine is a non-sparkling wine in which some carbon dioxide remains, creating this soft bubble. A Grüner Veltliner with real typicity: slightly spicy, fresh and with an aftertaste of white pepper, so characteristic of Grüner Veltline. This white is a welcome addition to drinks. You can actually drink this Kremstal with anything. Good for any time, from brunch to dinner, and also a favorite with spicy food (so tasty). A standard wine for your refrigerator. Kremstal Grüner Veltliner
The heart of Provence brings us Le Domaine De L'Amaurigue. This wine is literally and figuratively a mouthful. Le Domaine De L'Amaurigue is reminiscent of long sultry summer evenings where one bottle after another is popped open and after which you go to bed with a rosy feeling and a light drink. This spicy full-bodied rosé goes perfectly with a fish from the grill with a nice salad or with this one Fideua. The taste of this rosé is very elegant and fresh, with notes of red grapefruit and raspberries. One to definitely try out during the summer evenings!
Pink flamingo
Call us snobs but Pink Flamingo sounds tacky and therefore did not immediately appeal to the imagination. We changed tack because this rosé would be a bit fuller in taste and that was what we kept. Now we come back to our prejudice, because Pink Flamingo became a true friend. The wine is made from Grenache and Grenache simply produces a wonderfully aromatic wine. This one smells of Provence and is one to enjoy on a hot day. A rosé for the beach or by the pool. Pink flamingo
MIP
Oh how we love Provence with one blockbuster rosé after another. This also applies to MIP, short for Made In Provence, of course. This dry Provencal wine has a fruity aftertaste without being sweet. Because the grapes are cooled immediately after picking, around freezing point, the color of the berries spreads less in the juice and thus creates the beautiful light MIP shade. And yes, we looked that up. MIP
Admittedly, it is somewhat superficial, but we bought this wine because of the beautiful bottle. The graceful Carole on the simple white label, the name of the winery is scribbled and the neck is painted a cheerful yellow color. This wine radiates conviviality and that also counts and a box was immediately purchased, because the wine is not for sale by the bottle. The gamble paid off and this chardonnay is not your standard chardonnay: full, buttery. Actually Carole is suspiciously light for a chardonnay and with a little extra research we discovered that this is because the wine does not come into contact with wood, as is the case with many chardonnay, but 2 months 'sur lie' (on yeast cells) matures and thus acquires a more mineral tone. The house produces much more than just Carole and L'idiot also seems to be a hit. We will definitely come back to it again.
And we must continue! One more and the last Rosé (for now). But certainly not the least. MIMI Grande Reserve may well become the thirst quencher of the season. Get to know your new classic(s). A very good example of a classic Provence rosé that smells like summer. Let the salmon pink color swirl through your glass, a hint of strawberry in your sniff and a spicy aftertaste afterwards. Fish plus fresh salad on the side et voila. There you go, a consistently good rosé. Better safe than sorry!
Feeling adventurous? Then this slightly special orange wine is not to be missed once again from sunny Portugal, highly recommended! The name of the wine? Quinta da Boavista 'Rufia Skin Contact' 2019. Aromas ranging from white flowers, mandarin and apricot to tea leaves and wet earth. A unique wine that is definitely worth trying during a wonderful summer afternoon.
Oh oh we can't stop! Another fine rosé, namely the BORN Rosé from Barcelona. These premium and organic rosé wines from the young label BORN are a reflection of the vibrant Barcelona lifestyle. The BORN ROSÉ range currently consists of an organic still rosé that won gold during the Drinks Business Rosé Master 2020 Awards and a sparkling Brut variant – oh yes bubbles! And for the picnickers and on-the-goers there are even cans of rosé available. You smell something floral in the nose and a lot of tropical fruit in the mouth with the rosé. It's soft, fresh and slightly dry – great for anywhere in the sun. The brut has more cherry and is wonderfully crispy.
