Summer is the perfect season to have great dinners with friends and relatives and get some time off to recover from the summer hot. On such occasions, it is ideal to have the different dishes accompanied by a nice glass of wine. Italian Traditions gives you a list of the best Italian summer red wines for dining.
Far from what is generally believed, white wines are not the only right ones for the summer: there are also many red wines that are fresh and light. A common popular belief is that all white wines should be served cold, whereas reds at a higher temperature. But that is not at all the truth: we will help you to discover what are the essential features that this alcoholic beverage has to have to make it ideal for a summer dinner. Here you get to find out the best red wines for summer dining, both for the aperitif and for the other courses that usually are part of such occasions.
What are the main characteristics of Italian summer red wines?
A first important aspect to keep in mind when looking for the best Italian summer red wines for the summer is that not all of them can be served cold. In fact, on the basis of specific qualities both structural and organoleptic, just a small number of red wines can be served cold. It is essential to take into account the alcoholic percentage which low temperatures tend to lower. Because of this, very strong red wines are to be served at higher temperatures, otherwise they would lose the structural features that makes them different. Even those wines that are suited for aging are not to be served cold, because that would spoil them. So, because of all of this it would be ideal to opt for a young red wine that does not have too much of a structure.
Another essential aspect to keep in mind is the aroma. Cold has a tendency to change and hide the most delicate scents. For this reason, it is best to keep aromatic red wines cool, so that they can bear the action of a lower temperature. Finally, to understand which red wine is better for a summer dinner, we need to keep in mind its level of acidity. In fact, a wine is sour when it is fresh on the palate and particularly light and delicate. Low temperatures highlight the freshness and because of this, a sour drink is usually served cold.
Italian summer red wines: matching the right aperitif and first course
When choosing an Italian red wine for summer dining it is essential to consider what dishes will be served on this occasion. There are some red wines indicated for the summer and particularly for the moment of the aperitif (aperitivo). The aperitivo is quite a typical Italian tradition, popular all over the country especially in the hot summer evenings. Because of the heat, people tend to consume especially cold food, easy to digest: the aperitivo is in some way how you would dinner in the summer.
In particular, if you have appetizers and cold meats, there are some red wines that can be served due to some of their features. For example, Lambrusco is a particularly fruity wine and is also extremely light. If you do not want to give up on a sweet and bubbly taste, the best choice is Brachetto, a sweet and aromatic sparkling wine.
What mistakes to avoid when choosing Italian summer red wine?
Of course, if you decide to drink red wines during a summer dinner, there are some aspects that you absolutely need to take into account to avoid making mistakes and ultimately serve a drink that is not suitable or is spoiled. When talking about low temperatures for red wines, we are talking about a range around 11 or 12 degrees. In fact, lower than these temperatures, any wine, even the youngest and most aromatic, could result to be altered.
A common mistake to avoid is that of leaving the bottles of wine for too long in the fridge. To keep the bottle cold once served is it better to have a bucket of ice. Finally, do not forget that to choose Italiansummer red wines for dining you must take into account their qualities.