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Great white wines for summer

Certain grape varieties just suit warm weather. Below, our expert tasters have picked out some recommendations from recent tastings, all available for under £20...

When the sun is shining, there are few things more refreshing than a glass of chilled white wine. Whether you prefer a light, appley Muscadet, an aromatic Rueda or  something to remind you of summer holidays, our tastings team has pulled together a list of delicious white wines for summer.

Some styles are best suited for food. The Delaire Graff Reserve Chenin Blanc, for example, is a rich and textured white with good acidity to balance. This may be a bit much on its own, but pair it with something such as scallops or honey and ginger pork and the weight of the wine seems a much better fit, while the acidity cuts through the flavours.

Of course, all white wine can be matched with food, but if you’re just looking for a simple sipper then try and choose a lighter style.

Obvious examples include Muscadet, Sauvignon Blanc and Picpoul de Pinet wine. These light whites avoid overloading your palate and provide simple refreshment – which is exactly what is needed when the sun is out!


See also: What happens if your wine cooler is unplugged in a heatwave?


Below we have listed some top picks for summer, all tasted and rated by Decanter‘s experts. We’ve done the hard work for you – all you need to do is get the bottles in the fridge…

Top white wines for summer:


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