So what's your top summer white grape?

Just came back from the liquor store, with a trunkful of wines that, I hope, will work well with warmer temps and evenings spent lounging on the back deck.

There are a couple of Viognier, a SB and a Pinot Bianco. This got me thinking about what other people might drink in the summer. I know roses are popular, but is there one particular grape you tend to drink more often as the days get longer and the temperatures rise?

My choice used to be Riesling, but the last few years I find I am drinking more SB (doesn't matter from where) during this time of year.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

Zippy, racy styles of sauvignon blanc definitely sing summer to me.

I drink Riesling all the time, so I don't know if that qualifies. I think my consumption of autochthonous Italian white grapes increases but I can't think of a single grape that would be "top" in my consumption. Variety rocks.

-O

Count us in for the SB vote. Right now it is from South Africa.

for moi? Mosel Kabinett

Michael

Verdicchio

Hondurrabi Zuri: Txakolina, babee!!

Mark Lipton

Depends where I'm spending the summer

Seriously, it seems these past few years in London summer has been so breezy and cool (a la SF) that chilled Muscadet is just not necessary and cool fragrant red Burgundy is a pleasure.

Sitting under baking sun somewhere, that equation would easily be reversed..

Tocai Friulino with light seafood dishes, Sauvignon Blanc (from Touraine these days) with grilled poultry, Gruner as aperitif, Muscadet with mussels, Chardonnay (white Burgundy only!) with higher-end fare.

Guess it depends on the cuisine.

[Jenise]

We drink white wines with certain foods, or as aperitifs, year round but the grape I think of needing to ramp up my options of as soon as the weather turns hot is Sauvignon Blanc.

A very difficult question to answer since I value constant vinous diversity - but I can say unequivocally that I go through a lot of white wine in the summer, especially since it's such great stuff for sipping while cooking outdoors on those hot summer patio afternoons.

Typically, I would put Grüner Veltliner as my favourite summer white; in practice, however, I really am all over the map, with dry Vidal, unoaked Chardonnay, Seyval, Riesling and my dry Niagara coming very closely afterwards.

Sauvignon Blanc every time.

Viognier is too blowsy. I can't see the attraction myself.

If not SB, then Chenin. Its wonderful.

Hunter semillon.
But it's easy to find here!
And also riesling.
Strange time for this thread, as we head into winter.
Oh, you mean it's summer for you?..
Graeme

Yup, think Semillon would top the list in your neck of the woods!! Problem is that over here, never sure which ones to shell big bucks on!!

NZ sauvignon blanc has the required cripness on hot days, and a nice German riesling is good anytime or season! Most any other unoaked white are also worth a shot as well (e.g., Alsace and Fruili wines, Oz rieslings, etc), in addition to roses.

I wish it would start getting hot around here! Today was one of the first warm days...

John wrote........I wish it would start getting hot around here! Today was one of the first warm days

I am with you John, nothing much higher than 22 and cloudy most days here in AB-land.

[David M. Bueker]

Year-round Riesling.

My Riesling consumptiom does increates in the summer, esp. young Riesling. I also drink more Manzanilla in the summer, and like to grab a Moscato d'Asti when it gets really hot.

Peter

Riesling, also pretty much year round, and added in summer, Chenin Blanc (Vouvray).

Sauv blanc and dry Riesling. With side trips when in the mood to Viognier, semillon, etc. (ABC of course)

About equally Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling with a few rose'. This summer adding Carr Pinot Gris and Cautivo Rioja Blanco (from Heredad de Baroja) which is 100% Viura grape. (Would have more Albarinos if the good ones were easier to come by here.) I also continue to enjoy Beaujolais, red and white Burgundy and Pinot Noir, all slightly chilled.

My Riesling consumptiom does increates in the summer, esp. young Riesling. I also drink more Manzanilla in the summer, and like to grab a Moscato d'Asti when it gets really hot.Peter

I forgot about Moscato - one of my favourite aperatifs in the summer. The low alcohol is an added bonus with these wines. A half bottle to start the summer proceedings is always a great way to start a summer tasting! It really makes the taste buds come alive. For some reason, it's hard to find people around here who agree with me on this - perhaps the sweetness and slight fizz make it seem like a frivolous wine?

I forgot about Moscato - one of my favourite aperatifs in the summer. The low alcohol is an added bonus with these wines. A half bottle to start the summer proceedings is always a great way to start a summer tasting! It really makes the taste buds come alive. For some reason, it's hard to find people around here who agree with me on this - perhaps the sweetness and slight fizz make it seem like a frivolous wine?

Around these shores, non-wino people drink Cremant d'Alsace or Prosecco on their summer parties. I like to sneek in a well chilled Moscato d'Asti on such occasions, and see it disappear in a flash. Then I watch their faces when the return to their Prosecco. Schadenfreude...

Peter