What makes a good 'terrace wine'?

What makes a wine the perfect patio wine? It's that bottle you order without even opening the lunch or dinner menu. But make no mistake: a good patio wine is often technically more refined than you think. It's all about the balance between refreshment, drinkability, whether or not to pair with proteins, and temperature.

What is a patio wine?

A patio wine is a wine primarily made for solo consumption (without food). It is characterized by high drinkability, refreshing acidity, and a moderate alcohol percentage, ensuring the wine remains balanced and thirst-quenching even at higher outdoor temperatures.

Solo vs. Food:
Why you should skip that heavy Bordeaux

On a patio, you often drink 'as is', simply because a glass (or a bottle) is enjoyable, not because it needs to pair with something... other than the weather. This changes the rules of the game quite a bit.

The role of protein

With a dinner wine, you often look for tannins or high acidity to accompany and/or balance fat and protein (meat/fish). If you drink a wine with high tannins on a patio without food? Your mouth will feel like sandpaper within three sips. Tannins need protein to soften. Without that protein, they grip your palate, making the wine rough and heavy.

Residual sugars

A little bit of residual sugar (not enough to call the wine 'sweet', but just above 4 grams per liter) often works excellently on the patio. It gives the wine some body and fruitiness, making it more accessible without needing a bite of food to mask the acidity.

The influence of temperature

The sun is your glass's biggest enemy. As the wine's temperature rises, the experience changes:

1. Alcohol becomes dominant(er): As the temperature rises, the alcohol 'evaporates' faster in your glass. The wine starts to smell fiery and loses its finesse, loses fruit, and becomes heavy.

2. Acids weaken: A white wine that becomes lukewarm loses its refreshing 'bite'. It becomes a sluggish liquid instead of a thirst quencher.

Sommelier tips: Always drink your patio wine a few degrees cooler than you normally would. Pour smaller glasses and leave the rest in the bottle in a cooler. This way, the wine in your glass warms up less quickly (or never, depending on how fast you drink it).

Regarding wine, what should you look for?

Not every grape is suitable for full sun. Here's a small overview for your perfect patio selection:

Which styles do you choose?

• White: Look for styles such as crisp white wines (Verdejo, Sauvignon Blanc, Picpoul de Pinet). These have the acidity to keep you cool.

• Rosé: The ultimate patio wine. Often low tannins, lots of red fruit, and an invigorating color.

• Red: Yes, it's possible! But then opt for light red wines such as a chilled Gamay, Pinot Noir, or Bardolino. A not-too-masculine Rosso di Montalcino also works well, so no baby-Brunello. These have low tannins, good acidity, and plenty of juice.