Which are the best dry white wines to enjoy in summer?

Although Spain has been traditionally a country with a greater preference for red wines -both in terms of production and consumption- there are many wine lovers who, when the heat wave arrives, the thermometers shoot up, thirst increases and the bottles are empty in the blink of an eye, immediately enjoy the wide diversity of white wines offered by the diverse vineyards of this country. Naturally, without compromising on quality. After all, there is no summer that is sufficiently exhausting nor any climatic inclemency that could make anyone lower their guard in a decision as important as choosing the wine that will cheer up the evening at the end of the day (or maybe in the middle of the day).     

Dry white wine nuances

In any case, the heart of the matter is: which white wine to choose in these days when the heat is stifling? Many people prefer fruity wines, those with a youthful and fragrant expression that seduce with fresh fruit aromas and a direct and simple palate, a sweet and slightly acidic flavor.

However, we will deal with dry white wines instead, a variant that may not currently have the same commercial pull as the previous wines, but could be much more fascinating for those who decide to discover the richness of nuances and multiplicity of alternatives, considering the different origins, varieties, vineyards, winemaking techniques, aging, etc.

Certainly, in the wide range of dry white wines, not all of them are suitable to be enjoyed during the summer months. There are also some perfectly wintry whites, for the fireplace and scarf. A long-aged Montrachet, a classic Chardonnay, one of those that are pure smoothness and reminiscent of butter and brioche. However, after all, it is all a matter of taste. There will be infatuated with pouring a wine like this on the deck of the yacht, and then take a dip in front of Mykonos. May the god Bacchus forgive them.

Dry white wine profile 

From a more traditional point of view, we understand that dry white wines are those with low sugar content, in which lactic, mineral, floral and even honeyed aromatic nuances predominate, but which are generally in contrast to the aromas typical of fruity wines (tropical fruits, apple, pineapple, etc.).

The aromatic profile of dry white wine has its origin in several aspects: grape variety, soil properties, winemaking techniques and aging and maturing method and period.

Some varieties, which have a more neutral aromatic profile -such as Viura, Airén or Grenache blanc- give rise to dry white wines that especially emphasize their personality during the aging process (either on the lees or in barrels), while others, such as Chardonnay or Verdejo, also enhance their complexity with specific winemaking and aging techniques, such as battônage (stirring of the lees in suspension).

The blending of different varieties increases even more the wide range of dry white wines that wine lovers can find to mitigate the hot summer with a well-stocked cellar.

Dry white wines to face the summer

In the offer of 15Bodegas, there are a great number of dry whites of several origins, different varieties, multiple wineries, and varied price to face the summer:

The exotic white

Oremus Mandolás 2018, a Furmint variety dry white from the Hungarian winery Oremus, owned by the Spanish group Tempos Vega Sicilia. The dry white is a rarity in the Tokaji area, where the specialty is sweet wines from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot).

The estate white

Raimat Turons de la Pleta 2019, Raimat's first estate white, 100% Chardonnay from a turó single plot located on an elevation of the land. White aged in foudre with great quality and character. 

The coupage white

White Bach Viña Extrísima Sec 2020, original dry white coupage in which Chardonnay is complemented by Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Muscat, to give rise to a set of great freshness and harmony.

An exceptional white

Scala Dei Massipa 2019, the only white from Scala Dei, recovers a historic label of the Priorat winery and is made from Grenache blanc from a single vineyard with a percentage of Chenin.

The ancestral white

White Abadia de Poblet 2017, 100% Macabeo from century-old vines. This aged white is made with slightly interventionist methods and reflects the uniqueness of a terroir that continues to be farmed with ancestral practices.

The Rioja white

White Viña Pomal 2020, an excellent example of the Rioja dry white, with freshness, good structure and the distinctive toasty accents that denote fermentation and brief barrel aging. This wine, featuring two typical white varieties of the region, Viura and Malvasia, is enjoyed young, although it also suggests a bottle ageing of at least five years. 

The discovery white

Raventós de Alella Sarriera Organic 2019, for those who want to be surprised by a minority local grape without having to venture to the most remote corner of the global vineyard. In the region of Alella, very close to the urban area of Barcelona, white Pansa vines grow, which the Raventós de Alella winery cultivates with organic methods to give rise to this fragrant, fresh, and intense dry white, with a crisp Mediterranean character.

The Atlantic white

Vinos del Paseante - La Duda 2020, with the Godello variety grown in the Monterrei designation of origin, El Paseante produces a wine of great character, with crisp notes of ripe white fruit, citrus accents and fine minerality. Galicia in its purest essence.

This list is enough to get into the world of dry white wines. Which one are you going to start your tasting with?