Wines and seasons: what to drink in every time of the year.

The arrival of the different seasons is the perfect time to vary and renew our wine cellar. But which wines should we choose based on the time of year?

In this guide, you will find many tips on the best pairings between wines and seasons: ideas for fresh spring whites, summer rosés, great autumn reds, and sparkling wines for celebrations. You will also discover useful information on serving temperature, storage, and pairings with typical seasonal dishes.

And to enhance the excellence of our country, there are plenty of suggestions on labels and native grape varieties to rediscover.

Wines for spring

Fresh and aromatic white wines

With the arrival of the beautiful season, nature awakens and blooms, gifting us with the scents of spring. Our desire for lightness and freshness also awakens, and what better way to indulge it than with a glass of white wine?

White wines are perfect companions for the season when temperatures become milder and the days longer and sunnier. So, let's go for young, fruity, and floral whites, such as the very fresh ones.Pecorino, Vermentino, Pinot GrigioAndRibolla Gialla. Great choices as wellLuganaAndSoave, with delicate hints of acacia flowers.

And for those who love bubbles, the bases of Pinot Noir are ideal for preparing an outdoor aperitif and toasting to the arrival of the beautiful season.

Bubbles for aperitifs and special occasions.

With the arrival of spring, opportunities for celebration and togetherness multiply. Dinners with friends, picnics on the lawn, or simply an aperitif on the terrace: wherever you are, bubbles are the perfect companions for these moments.

A goblet ofFranciacortaOr of a frescoProseccoIt will make the atmosphere even more lively and carefree. And why not surprise your guests with an elegant...Trento DocOr aAlta LangaWhat pairs well with seafood appetizers?

Whatever sparkling wine you choose, let yourself be enchanted by its floral and fruity notes, perfect now that everything around is budding and blooming. Cheers to the beautiful season ahead!

Wines for summer

Rosé and dessert wines

With the arrival of summer heat, there's nothing better than refreshing yourself with a cool rosé: from Provence to Sicily, the different expressions of this pastel-colored wine captivate with their pleasantness and versatility. Perfect for aperitifs or after dinner, dry rosés are distinguished by citrus and floral notes.

If you love sweets, try a Passito di Pantelleria instead: this meditation wine, made from Zibibbo grapes, pairs beautifully with desserts and pastries due to its balance of acidity and sweetness.

Light and mineral whites

In the hottest months, we give our palate a refreshing break with whites that have a strong minerality, like the Sicilians.GrilloAndCarricante. Great choices as wellVermentino, FianoAndFalanghina, whose balanced acidity stimulates thirst and cleanses the palate.

For lovers of great classics, theChardonnayIt may surprise you with light interpretations that highlight its versatility.

Whatever your choice, remember to serve these wines well chilled: on hot summer days, every sip will be a refreshing delight. Let the summer begin, glass in hand!

Wines for autumn

Structured reds and meditation wines

With the arrival of the first cold weather, it's time for important and structured wines, perfect for warming up autumn evenings. The great reds of the season, such as...Barolo, BrunelloAndAmarone, With their spicy notes and velvety tannins, they are ideal for enhancing the flavors of traditional dishes from this season.

Even whites adapt to the change in temperature: try an aged Marsala or a meditative one.Verdicchio is a white wine grape variety native to the Marche region of Italy. It is known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with good acidity and floral and citrus notes.To appreciate its delicate balance between softness and savoriness.

Full-bodied and aromatic whites

In autumn, nature is painted in warm colors, and the wines adapt as well: the whites become more structured, with intense aromas reminiscent of dried fruit and wilted flowers.

Discover all the complexity ofRibolla Gialla, Nosiola andVermentino, or let yourselves be enveloped by the spicy notes of theGewürztraminer. Also theChardonnay"and the"RieslingThey find new nuances with refinement and aging.

Serve these wines at room temperature to appreciate all their aromatic nuances.

Wines for winter

Reds from aging and large formats

With the arrival of the cold, treat yourself to structured and important red wines, suitable for long aging: the soft tannins of aBrunello ReserveOr the complexity of aBarbarescoThey will keep you warm during the cold winter evenings.

Even large formats, such as theMagnum, They are ideal for sharing a convivial moment around the fireplace.

Treat yourself to some time to appreciate the thousand facets of these wines that improve with age, true excellences of the Italian wine heritage.

Bubbles for the holidays

The end-of-year celebrations are the perfect time to open a fine bottle ofChampagneOr of an elegantFranciacortaThe bubbles, with their liveliness and creaminess, immediately instill a sense of joy and celebration.

Whether it's a toast with family or a New Year's celebration with friends, these excellent wines will make every occasion unforgettable.

Let yourself be captivated by their intriguing hints of dried fruit, pastry, and yeast, and enjoy the bubbles dancing in the glass like sparks of happiness.

Seasonal pairings with food

The best spring pairings

With the arrival of spring, the desire for lightness leads us to prefer delicate recipes with fresh and vegetable flavors. So, let's embrace dishes of fish, seasonal vegetables, salads, and omelets: excellent pairings for fresh and mineral white wines such as...Riesling, VermentinoAndRibolla Gialla.

The bubbles will highlight the delicacy of asparagus and spring herbs. With the first courses featuring peas, broad beans, and spring onions, try a young rosé.

Fresh and tasty summer pairings

The warm season invites you to enjoy light and refreshing dishes: here is a...FianoOr aGrilloThey pair perfectly with spaghetti with clams or with an octopus salad.

An aromatic white like theGewürztraminerIt pairs well with prosciutto and melon, while a low-tannin rosé goes nicely with a Margherita pizza. For dessert with fresh fruit, opt for the sweetness of a Passito di Pantelleria.

And don't forget that a glass of sparkling wine is perfect at any time to toast under the sun!

Delicious autumn combinations

With the first chill comes the desire for flavorful and hearty foods: pumpkin, mushrooms, game, chestnuts, and truffles. The big reds, such asBarolo, AmaroneAndSagrantino, With their soft tannins and enveloping structure, they enhance these intense flavors.

Even white people adapt to the season: try aChardonnay"Stop or a Classic Method with a mushroom risotto."

Warm and enveloping winter combinations

In the cold season, rich and flavorful foods like stews, roasts, aged cheeses, and stuffed pastas call for structured red wines that warm the palate: so feel free to enjoyBrunello, SagrantinoAndRefosco dal Peduncolo RossoThe soft tannins and high alcohol content will warm your winter evenings.

Spiced sweets like panettone and pandoro also pair beautifully with a Passito or a fine Marsala.

Tips for tasting and storage

How to best serve seasonal wines

To truly appreciate the qualities of a wine, tasting is essential. In spring and summer, serve young white wines well chilled, between 8° and 12°, to enhance their freshness and minerality.

For important reds in autumn and winter, the ideal temperature is between 16° and 18°. A mistake to avoid is excessively chilling reds, which prevents their aromatic development.

The right glass is also important: choose wide shapes that allow the wine to express all its aromatic characteristics.

Tips for the ideal wine cellar all year round.

To always enjoy top-quality wines, proper storage is crucial as well. White wines should be kept in a dark and cool cellar, between 10° and 15°, avoiding temperature fluctuations.

For reds, the ideal temperature is between 14° and 20°, with humidity around 70%. It is important to keep the bottle in a horizontal position to keep the cork moist and avoid oxidation. Periodically rotate the bottles and pay attention to the expiration dates.

And to impress your guests, always keep some bottles of sparkling wine: they will be perfect for any special occasion!

Wines of the territory to rediscover

Regional wine excellence

Every Italian region offers wines that reflect the characteristics of the territory: from fresh sparkling wines made using the traditional method.of the Alta Langa Piedmontese, to the great reds of the Langhe likeBaroloAndBarbaresco.

From the minerality of the Alto Adige whites, such asGewürztraminerAndPinot Grigio, up to the Tuscan reds of character, among all theBrunello di Montalcino"and the"Chianti Classico.

And again, the Mediterranean rosés from the Amalfi Coast and Sicily, ideal for summer, and the sweet wines from the South, such as Sicilian Marsala and sweet Primitivo from Manduria in Puglia.

Let's allow ourselves to be won over by the thousand expressions of our land!

Indigenous grape varieties and denominations to enhance.

In addition to the great classics, Italy offers hundreds of native grape varieties and lesser-known denominations that deserve to be rediscovered.

Among the whites, try.Verdicchio is a white wine grape variety native to the Marche region of Italy. It is known for producing crisp, refreshing wines with good acidity and floral and citrus notes., Passerina, Ribolla GiallaAnd Nosiola to refresh the hot summer days. Among the reds, rediscover the rustic straightforwardness ofCannonau, MonicaAndNero d'Avola. And what about Classic Method sparkling wines made from indigenous grapes such asKind, Glera andPinot Noir?

Let's be amazed by the ampelographic biodiversity of Italy!

In conclusion

Whatever your tastes may be, Italy offers excellent wines to accompany every season and every occasion, thanks to the great variety of grape varieties and wine regions.

Let yourself be inspired by seasonal suggestions to choose the most suitable labels for the moment and the menu. And don't forget to highlight the many excellences of our wine heritage: discovering the typical wines of our regions will be an exciting journey into Italian tradition.

Cheers and happy tasting!