The Japanese archipelago has entered the height of summer again this year. Many people are probably thinking about enjoying seasonal leisure activities. Summer is packed with events you can enjoy only at this time, such as BBQs, camping, fireworks festivals, picnics, and relaxing at resorts.
This article introduces “Japanese wines you want to drink in summer” recommended by “CRAFT WINE SHOP.” We have gathered attractive wines that make you want to drink them in summer. Please use this as a reference for your “summer wine selection.”
What wines do you want to drink in summer?
Wine is delicious no matter the season. However, choosing wines according to the season or event—rosé in spring, rich reds in autumn and winter, sparkling wines from Christmas to New Year’s—is a key to enjoying your wine life.
This time, the wines “CRAFT WINE SHOP” wants to recommend are “Japanese wines you want to drink in summer.” Below are the key points for choosing wines that taste great in summer.
- Light and refreshing is the key
- Sparkling wine is versatile
- Wines with slightly lower alcohol content (natural wines are also recommended)
Let’s explain each in detail.
Light and refreshing is the key
The key words for summer wine selection are “light” and “refreshing.”
It’s not that full-bodied red or white wines are bad for summer, but powerful wines might tire your stomach in the sweltering heat.
For example, since summer dishes tend to be high in moisture and saltiness and easy on the stomach, it’s necessary to choose light and refreshing wines that match the intensity of the food.
For white wines, young Sauvignon Blanc with herbal and grapefruit aromas, Koshu, Riesling with green apple nuances, and Gewürztraminer with lychee notes are especially recommended. Fresh white wines have a good acidity that helps refresh you from summer fatigue.
Also, while red wine might not be associated with summer, try chilled Campbell Early, Muscat Bailey A, or light Pinot Noir, which have a sweet and sour character that pairs well with summer.
Of course, rosé wine is a classic choice, pairing well with any dish, light and lively, perfect for BBQs, evenings at the beach, or relaxing at a resort. By the way, it’s best to choose dry types of wine.
Sweet wines can be enjoyed chilled thoroughly, but they tend to leave a somewhat heavy feeling in the mouth, so sharp and dry wines that pair well with food and offer a refreshing aftertaste are more enjoyable in summer without getting tiresome.
Sparkling wine is versatile
If you want to avoid mistakes when choosing wine for summer, sparkling wine is recommended. As anyone can imagine, in the heat of midsummer, fresh, fizzy, and stimulating drinks taste better than mellow ones. However, if it’s just carbonation, beer with its sharpness is number one. Here’s why sparkling wine is recommended for summer.
- Lifts your mood
- Satisfying even in small amounts
- Excellent pairing with summer dishes
Beyond the excellent taste of sparkling wines carefully selected for quality, the “special feeling” this category offers cannot be found in still wines. When you gather friends, acquaintances, partners, or family in summer for a BBQ or party, having chilled sparkling wine instantly brightens the atmosphere. Sparkling wine is a hit not only at girls' gatherings but also at men's BBQs or drinking parties, and popping a bottle at a fireworks festival is sure to create a big excitement.
Also, since sparkling wine is wine, it has an alcohol content of over 10%, and even one glass can be satisfying. (Of course, many people might want more...) Even those who aren't very strong drinkers but want to enjoy wine can increase their satisfaction with sparkling wine. Another key point is that sparkling wine pairs well with summer dishes. In high-end French restaurants, it's not uncommon to serve a single bottle of brut sparkling wine from the start to the end of a course, as sparkling wine has the advantage of matching well with any dish. It complements dishes like seafood salad with fresh dressing, and for grilled chicken, salty seafood, or hearty BBQ meat dishes, it refreshes the aftertaste. Whether it's festival foods like okonomiyaki, yakisoba, takoyaki, or grilled squid, having one bottle will be a big hit at summer events.
By the way, when you think of sparkling wine, you might imagine strong carbonation like Champagne or Cava, but lightly sparkling petillant or gently bubbly Lambrusco types are also attractive. Their gentle mouthfeel and lightness on the stomach make them just as good to have alongside other alcoholic beverages.
Wines with slightly lower alcohol content (natural wines are also recommended)
When choosing summer wines, pay attention to alcohol content. High-alcohol wines with 14% or more are not unsuitable for summer, but they can be tiring to drink and sometimes overpower the food eaten in summer.
Also, high-alcohol wines tend to be full-bodied, offering high satisfaction and richness, but this contrasts with the lightness and refreshing qualities desired in summer. Of course, if you are indoors enjoying hearty meat dishes or a full French or Italian course, that’s different, but for BBQs, fireworks festivals, summer leisure, or beach scenes, wines with an alcohol content of 12% or less might be better. (Also helps prevent over-intoxication...)
Among them, surprisingly recommended are natural wines. Among organic wines, those made like vin naturel often have lower alcohol content and taste great when well chilled. Their aromas are delicate and the mouthfeel gentle, giving a pure and subtle impression that seeps into the body rather than being powerful, making them perfect for summer.
"CRAFT WINE SHOP" Recommended 3 Summer Wines
Here are three summer wines recommended by "CRAFT WINE SHOP." They are all refreshing, light, yet highly aromatic and high-quality Japanese wines. If you are struggling to choose summer wines, please use this as a reference.
Vanvi / Petillant Niagara 2023
Vanvi is a winery blending into the satoyama of southern Nagano Prefecture. This fresh dry petillant uses 95% Niagara and 5% Delaware from the 2023 vintage. The grapes with acidity are slightly fermented before pressing, allowing you to enjoy a floral aroma including skin-derived scents and refreshing acidity. The light carbonation and fragrant, fruity character make it perfect for summer, and the faintly bitter aftertaste pairs well with salty BBQ dishes. With an alcohol content of 7.5%, it is a pleasant wine that blows away the midsummer heat.
Vanvi / Petillant Niagara 2023
2,090 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Tsuno Wine / Lambrusco Red
Tsuno Wine is a popular winery supported by Japanese wine fans. While known for Campbell Early, this is a carbonated wine inspired by the famous Italian red sparkling wine "Lambrusco" from Emilia-Romagna. Developed after repeated trial and error, it reproduces the concentrated aroma, moderate tannins, and approachable taste of Campbell Early. The carbonation is gentle due to gas filling, making it a pleasant red sparkling wine perfect for summer. The concentrated fruit flavors reminiscent of dried figs and raisins, citrus nuances like orange peel and orangette, and vanilla and spicy notes from barrel aging make it an excellent match for summer meat dishes. It also pairs well with grilled vegetables, making it a recommended choice for BBQs. Of course, it is also recommended for festive occasions like fireworks festivals.
Tsuno Wine / Lambrusco Red
2,200 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Daiwa Winery / Shine! Sparkling
A high cost-performance sparkling wine brewed by Daiwa Winery, a long-established winery in Katsunuma Town, Yamanashi Prefecture. This unique bottle is made from black grapes, white grapes, and premium table grapes such as Muscat Bailey A, Koshu, and Shine Muscat. Refreshing, fruity, and fresh acidity make it perfect for summer. It pairs well with a wide range of dishes and is especially good with salty and moist summer foods. It also seems to go well with watermelon, making it enjoyable to relax on a porch and pair it with watermelon. The aftertaste features the cotton candy sweetness unique to Bailey A, evoking nostalgia for Japanese people and offering a nuance that everyone can easily accept. Not only for BBQs, but since it is a sparkling wine with a Japanese-style label, it will be appreciated when brought to fireworks festivals and similar events.
Daiwa Winery / Shine! Sparkling
1,782 yen (tax included)
More details about the wine here
Summary
Many people are probably planning leisure activities for the summer. Whether it's BBQs, fireworks festivals, stays at summer resorts or seaside locations, try bringing the wines introduced in this article. Choosing wines that enhance the summer vibe will surely make it an unforgettable season. Please use this article as a reference to select wines that suit summer.
