The best wines for hot weather
From crisp whites to chillable reds, these are the bottles made for long, warm days.
Is that…a bit of sunshine I see? Get that bottle on ice.
As warmer weather arrives, we Brits will do anything to get outside for a fleeting moment of sunshine. We move al fresco, risk no-coat weather (we almost definitely still need that coat), and our pub gardens suddenly fill up as if we’ve all collectively decided it’s summer now.
But when the temperature starts to rise, even slightly, what you want from a glass of wine changes completely. Heavy reds suddenly feel too much. Big, oaky whites lose their appeal. Instead, you want something colder, lighter, and more refreshing.
These are the best wines for warm weather: crisp whites, chillable reds, and bottles made for long afternoons that may or may not turn into evenings outside.
When it’s finally a 7 pm sunset
The wine to celebrate the end of seasonal gloom
That first 7:00 pm sunset is a genuine turning point. Suddenly, everything feels a bit more manageable. You’re not rushing home in the dark, and there’s just enough light left in the day to justify opening something a little more optimistic than usual.
But just because it’s light outside doesn’t necessarily mean it’s warm. Sparkling reds work perfectly for this in-between moment; when the weather is beginning to pick up, but there’s still a light chill in the air.
Top pick: Halfpenny Green Red Sparkling 2022 – blackberry and cherry nose, ripe red and black fruits, and a long-lasting finish. £25.95 at Halfpenny Green Wine Estate
When it’s the first 20-degree day of the year
No jacket weather calls for this wine
You’re sitting outside(obviously), chasing that Costa del Sol feeling on your back patio. You need something chilled, light, and easy-drinking to match the first real hit of sunshine – before the grey sky inevitably clouds over.
It’s time to crack open the rosé.
Top pick: Aimé Roquesante – a crisp French rosé with grapefruit, raspberry, lemon citrus and fresh red cherry. £13.00 at Waitrose.
When you’ve just got home after a sweltering Tube commute
The ‘I survived the tube home’ wine
You’re flustered, exhausted, and you’ve discovered a whole new level of sweat on the Victoria Line home. This is the wine you open immediately – cold, refreshing, and capable of making you forget that commute ever happened.
Top pick: Chin Chin Vinho Verde – a classic Vinho Verde with pear and nectarine, lifted by salinity and a slight natural fizz. Bright, fresh, exactly what you want after the heat of the underground. £12.99 at Forest Wines, £13.99 at Selfridges
When you’re bringing a bottle to your mates’ BBQ
The wine that works with everything
It’s a tricky one to nail, but bringing a bottle of wine to a BBQ is absolutely on the cards for all of us this summer. The problem? Picking the right one. The answer, surprisingly, is a chilled red.
A chillable red will definitely start a conversation. It feels a bit new and trendy, but it still appeals to the crowd. It goes with almost everything, never feels too heavy, and, crucially, it’s cold.
I brought this one to a friend’s house and managed to convert a non-wine drinker. There’s your stamp of approval.
Top pick: M Chapoutier ‘Rouge Clair’ 2024 – raspberry, strawberry, and freshly cut grass. Soft, fruity, and incredibly easy-drinking. £14.90 at The Oxford Wine Company / Latitude Wines / Islington Wine
Join poured
A monthly newsletter of wines, bars, and restaurants, tried and tested by Female Original.
When you’ve just plated up your picky bits tea
Too hot to cook, but not too hot for wine
There’s nothing more British than a picky bits tea (aka girl dinner). Crisps, hummus, cheese slices, a bit of salami, cucumber (for health), and a couple of chocolate biscuits – it’s an impossible combination to pair with wine, but someone’s got to do it.
The key is picking something crisp, easy, and versatile enough to survive the chaos of the plate. Sauvignon Blanc works perfectly here: fresh and sharp enough to cut through the ultimate beige dinner.
I’m not usually a Sauvignon Blanc person, but this one is a real winner.
Top pick: Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc – tropical and grassy on the nose with a light, refreshing finish. And if you’re pairing your girl dinner with wine, it should definitely come from a female winemaker. £13.00 at Majestic
Tomorrow it’ll probably be grey again. Tonight? Put the bottle on ice.
More wine, worth your while
Explore more top wine picks from Female Original.
Start Your Wine Journey
Helpful reads for building confidence with wine, from choosing a bottle to ordering in restaurants.
