Italian Wines for Summer

The Perfect Wine for the Warm Days of Summer

When the heat of the summer overwhelms and outdoor patios and balconies beckon, the full-bodied wines, often associated with Italy, can seem a little overbearing. Don't despair. Italian wine producers offer a variety of light, refreshing wines, ideal for summer quaffing. Among them is the familiar Pinot Grigio, but do you know about the pleasures of a glass of Prosecco, Gavi, or Arneis?

Pinot Grigio

Prosecco

This Italian sparkler belongs on everyone's summer wine list. Crafted from Prosecco grapes grown in the Veneto, in the foothills of the Alps, this wine has just enough "fizz" to be exciting without overwhelming or cloying. The taste is dry with citrus – lemon and grapefruit – overtones and just a hint of honey. Prosecco goes well with pastas with white sauce, fish and seafood dishes, and summer salads. Serve well chilled.

Gavi

Gavi, with its distinctive tapered bottle, is little known in the United States. Yet, this delicate and complex, dry wine is the perfect accompaniment to summer food favorites, such as poached and grilled fish. Gavi is made from Cortese grapes, found in Italy's Northeastern Piedmont region. Wheat-colored Gavi has a high acid content and full fruit – grapefruit and lemon – overtones.

Soave

One of the better known Italian white wines in the United States (thanks to Bolla Vineyards), Soave is a light, crisp wine, made of Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grapes that grow in Italy's Veneto region. This wine is produced as a still, sparkling, or sweet wine, although most imported Soave is of the still variety. It has a slightly green cast and distinct perfume-like tones, and pairs well with light pastas, salads, or fish – or by itself as a refreshing patio drink.

Arneis

Another of Piedmont's white wines, Arneis is a light to medium-bodied creation, made of Arneis, or Nebbiolo Blanco, grapes. This wine is enjoying something of a renaissance in Europe, but has yet to catch on in the US. Still, you can usually find a bottle or two at better wine stores. Arneis is noted for its delicate aroma and pear-like taste, with just a hint of almond, and is ideal as an aperitivo or paired with shellfish.

This season, learn about light, refreshing Italian summer wines the most enjoyable way – by pouring a glass or two. Rename this summer the "Summer of Italian Wines".

by Sandy Mitchell