When the weather is hot and the sun is shining, there’s nothing more that you could want than a nice drink to sip on while you chat with friends. While there are plenty of drinks to choose from, you can’t bet a glass of wine on a nice summer day. At Rikasa, our wine bar in Wilkes-Barre has plenty of amazing, high-quality wines to choose from, but which is the best to enjoy during the hot weather? What wines you prefer are entirely up to you, but here are a few great wines for summer to consider.
Rosé
Rosé is the wine most people probably reach for on a warm summer evening. For many people, dinner or gathering with friends during the summertime isn’t complete without a bottle of rosé. This has everything you could want in a summer drink – it’s crisp, light, and has a delicate flavor that won’t be too much when you’re out in the sun. While rosés vary, you can often enjoy bright fruity, citrusy, and floral flavors that are perfect for the summer months. This iconic pink-hued wine is perfect for all of your summer plans.
Riesling
You can’t go wrong with a light-bodied white during the summertime. Riesling has several fruity notes that make it perfect for the summer including apple, pears, stone fruits, and citrus. This wine is high in acidity and has floral aromas that make it a great drink for the summer. Some might think that Rieslings are always extremely sweet, but that isn’t true. Rieslings can be sweet or dry, so there’s something for everyone. This drink is also well-known for pairing well with nearly any food, so it will likely go with whatever meals you’re having this summer.
Chardonnay
Chardonnay has been one of the quintessential summer wines for years, and this is a classic for good reason. Chardonnay is famous for its crispness, which is exactly what many people want on a hot day. While there are sweet chardonnays, this wine is typically dry, which is perfect for those who don’t want something too sweet while sitting in the sunshine. Chardonnay is also great to pair with many light dishes and seafood dishes, making it perfect for summer dinners. This wine can vary greatly, and some are better for summers than others. An unoaked chardonnay has the bright taste many are looking for and chardonnay produced in cooler regions often has a lighter body that is great for hot weather.
Zinfandel
Many people might think they need to stay away from reds once the weather starts getting hot, but this isn’t true. There are several red wines that are great choices for the summertime, including zinfandel. If you like to enjoy a sweet, fruity drink on a warm summer day, zinfandel is a perfect choice. While zinfandel may be a little heavier in body than many other popular summer wines, notes of jammy fruit like strawberry, cherry, and blackberry make it great to drink all year round. However, while zinfandel has a sweet, juicy flavor, it also has spicy notes that help keep it from being too much. For anyone looking for something different than white wine and rosé this summer, consider zinfandel or another sweet, fruity red.
Sauvignon Blanc
If you’re looking for another great white wine to sip over the summer, look no further than sauvignon blanc. This dry, medium-bodied, high-acidity wine is perfect all year, but especially in the summer. With a crisp taste and notes of fruit such as peaches, pears, nectarines, and green apple, this is the perfect wine to help you cool down after a long day in the summer sun. Sauvignon blanc also often has herbal and earthy flavors as well, which helps make the taste clean and refreshing.
Order Your Favorite Wine at Rikasa!
As long as you like it, there’s no wrong choice when it comes to summer wines! Fortunately, we offer a wide selection of wines at Rikasa on our wine menu, so whatever you prefer, we’re likely to have it. Make your reservations to celebrate summertime with us today!