During the heat of summer, our wine of choice leans toward white wines. The refreshing, crisp, and bright nuances of the various white varieties lend themselves to being at the top of one’s list of go-to summer white wine.
Summer White Wine
Here is a list of my summer white wine suggestions to enjoy during any summer occasion.
L’ Ecole Summer White Wine
L’Ecole No 41 2020 Luminesece, Estate Seven Hills Vineyard Walla Walla Valley: This white Bordeaux style blend combines Semillon primarily with Sauvignon Blanc and L’Ecole’s only white wine produced from their estate vineyard. It was first created in 2007.
The 2020 vintage was treated a little differently in this wine due to the severity of the heat that year. L’Ecole did not do leaf pulling but instead left the canopy. Leaving the canopy shaded the grapes so they would not burn, but it also reduces both the size of the grape and its cluster, making for a low yield year. L’Ecole also utilized overhead misting midday to cool down the grapes and vines.
After whole-cluster pressing, the wine ferments in neutral French oak, followed by malolactic fermentation. The wine then ages sur lie for four months in tight-grained French oak.
The Semillon gives the wine its creamy texture and viscosity, and the Sauvignon provides the wine with its acidity. I found white floral aromatics along with lemon. On the palate green apple, and lemon flavors were accented with savory notes and some white pepper. The wine pairs well with scallops or makes the perfect picnic wine.
Trimbach Summer White Wine
Looking for a classical Riesling Trimbach Classic Riesling 2018 from Alsace France is a wine to consider. Producing wine for 13 generations dating back to the 1600s, Trimbach is one of the leading producers of Riesling. The wine ferments in both stainless steel and concrete vats. By avoiding secondary fermentation allows the wine to maintain its natural acidity. The bottles are stored for several years before the wine is released.
This wine exhibits lots of acidity and minerality as a tropical component of the wine comes through. Find ginger, white peach, and lemon on the palate.
Esporão Summer White Wine
Esporão Colheita White 2018: This wine is considered a regional white wine from Alentejo. As a winery, Esporão is an ambassador for the Alentejo region. At Esporão, the goal is to use organic farming methods to cultivate, in this case, the soils composed of Schist rock and loamy clay.
The Coheita white utilizes Alentejo’s signature white grape, Antão Vaz, blending it with Viosinho and Alvarinho. The grapes for this wine ferment in concrete tanks, followed by four months on fine lees. The result, a wine delivering nutty character and minerality with herbal and citrus notes. I found a fruity wine with aromas of citrus and stone fruit
Monte Velho White Wine 2019: Another wine from Esporão which I consider an everyday drinking wine. The wine combines Antão Vaz with Roupeiro and Perrum to deliver a more tropical Alentejo white wine. On the nose, I found ripe fruits and citrus. In addition to the tropical flavors, the wine displayed citrus and sweetness on the finish.
La Rioja Alta Summer White Wine
La Rioja Alta Lagar de Cervera Albariño 2019: The wine Lagar de Cervera is located in the Rias Baixas region of Spain and known for its Albariño. The region, Galicia, is in the northwest portion of Spain. Rias Baixas represents a Spanish DO for wines located in the province of Pontevedra.
This Albariño typifies the bright, crisp character of this variety. On the palate, dominant flavors of green apples and apricots open up to a wonderful freshness.
Whether from Washington, France, Portugal, or Spain, any of the wines mentioned above will enhance your summer white wine experience.
Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.