When the Yorkshire sun finally puts in a proper shift, there’s not much that beats pulling a chair into the garden, popping a chilled bottle, and letting the afternoon do its thing. Barbecue going, picnic packed, or just shoes off after a hot one, the bottle you choose makes the moment.
So we’ve pulled together our guide to the wines we reach for when the weather warms up: crisp whites, fresh rosés, light reds, and proper traditional method fizz. A fair few of them are grown and made right here at our vineyard near Nun Monkton.
Why English wine suits a British summer
English wine is, quite genuinely, built for summer drinking. Our cool climate gives us grapes with bright, refreshing acidity and a touch less alcohol than wines from hotter regions, which is exactly what you want when the mercury climbs. They’re food-friendly, easy to drink on their own, and they taste of where they came from. Open a bottle of Yorkshire Heart wine on your patio, and you’re drinking something grown a few miles up the road.
If you’re new to English wine, summer is a brilliant place to start. You can browse our full range of wines here.
Our summer wines at a glance
| Wine | Style | Pairs with | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ortega | Light, floral white | Soft cheese, garden salads | Warm summer evenings |
| Latimer Rosé | Off-dry rosé | Grazing boards, charcuterie | Picnics in the sun |
| Kathleen Vintage Sparkling Rosé | Traditional method fizz | Strawberries, smoked salmon | Celebrations and brunches |
| Eleanor Red | Light, low-tannin red | Barbecued meats, hard cheese | Cooler summer evenings |
| Sauvignon Blanc | Crisp, citrus white | Seafood, goat’s cheese | Light lunches |
| Chardonnay | Versatile white | Roast chicken, creamy pasta | Cheeseboards |
| Pinot Grigio | Zesty, fresh white | Antipasti, fish and chips | Easy afternoon drinking |
| Riesling | Dry, peachy white | Spicy food, pork dishes | Al fresco dining |
Our Yorkshire Heart summer picks
Ortega
Our Ortega is the bottle we open first when the weather turns. It’s light and fresh, with floral aromas, green apple, elderflower, and a citrus lift, all carried on a crisp acidity that has you reaching for a second glass before you’ve quite finished the first.
Serve at: 8 to 10°C Pairs well with: goat’s cheese, prawn salads, lightly spiced Asian dishes Best moment: a long, slow evening in the garden with friends
Latimer Rosé
Latimer is our only still rosé. Pale, pretty, properly pink, with a fresh acidity balanced by sweet red berry fruit. It’s the kind of bottle that vanishes quickly at a barbecue, which is no bad thing. Latimer also picked up the Mercian Vineyard Association Trophy for Best Northern Region Wine alongside a Silver Medal, which we’re quietly very proud of.
Serve at: 8 to 10°C Pairs well with: charcuterie boards, grilled chicken, summer berries Best moment: picnics, garden parties, anything al fresco
Kathleen Vintage Sparkling Rosé
Made in the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle and a splash of Pinot Noir at fermentation, our Kathleen brings raspberry and cherry notes wrapped in a fine, persistent mousse. (Traditional method, by the way, is the same way they make Champagne. It’s the slow, patient way of making fizz, and it’s what gives the wine its proper, lingering bubbles.)
It’s the bottle to open when the occasion calls for it. In summer, the occasion almost always does.
Serve at: 6 to 8°C Pairs well with: smoked salmon, strawberries and cream, hard cheeses Best moment: brunches, anniversaries, the first proper sunny weekend of the year
Shop Kathleen Vintage Sparkling Rosé →
Eleanor Red Wine
Reds don’t have to sit out the summer if you pick the right one. Our Eleanor is a blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Gamay, full of red berries and black cherry, with low tannins, gentle acidity, and a long finish. Pop it in the fridge for twenty minutes before you serve it, and it really comes alive on a balmy evening.
Serve at: 12 to 14°C (lightly chilled) Pairs well with: barbecued lamb, sausages, mushroom dishes Best moment: as the sun sets after a long summer’s day
Classic summer grapes worth knowing
A handful of grapes have earned their place in the summer rotation. Here’s the short version on each.
Riesling
Dry Riesling is one of the great unsung summer wines. Crisp, with notes of peach, pear, and apricot, it has the acidity to cut through richer food and the aromatic lift that suits warm-weather drinking. Especially good with anything lightly spiced.
Serve at: 8 to 10°C Pairs well with: Thai green curry, pulled pork, soft cheeses
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is one of the most adaptable whites in the world. The grape grows happily in lots of climates, so winemakers can shape it however they like, from lean and steely to rich and buttery. In summer, a lighter unoaked style is hard to beat.
Serve at: 10 to 12°C Pairs well with: roast chicken, creamy pasta, a proper cheeseboard
Sauvignon Blanc
A summer staple, and for good reason. Sauvignon Blanc is packed with bright fruit (lime, white peach, pear, passion fruit), and a crisp dryness that makes it a natural partner for lighter food. Rarely lets you down on a sunny afternoon.
Serve at: 7 to 9°C Pairs well with: seafood, goat’s cheese tarts, summer salads
Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is loved for its zip. The grapes are picked early to hold onto that freshness, which gives the wine its trademark crispness, with notes of mango, pineapple, and guava in the better examples. The easy choice when you want something cold, clean, and uncomplicated.
Serve at: 7 to 10°C Pairs well with: antipasti, fish and chips, light pasta dishes
Summer wine pairing guide
Planning the food first and the wine second? Here’s the cheat sheet.
- Barbecue: Latimer Rosé or Eleanor Red
- Picnic: Ortega or Latimer Rosé
- Seafood: Sauvignon Blanc or Ortega
- Cheeseboard: Chardonnay or Kathleen Sparkling Rosé
- Spicy food: Riesling or Ortega
- Brunch: Kathleen Sparkling Rosé
- Strawberries and cream: Kathleen Sparkling Rosé, every single time
- A quiet evening on the patio: lightly chilled Eleanor Red
How to serve wine in warm weather
A few small things make a big difference once the temperature is up.
Chill properly. Whites and rosés are best straight from the fridge, around 8°C. Sparkling wants a touch colder, 6 to 8°C. Light reds like Eleanor benefit from twenty minutes in the fridge before serving.
Keep it cold. An ice bucket with a half-and-half mix of ice and cold water chills faster than ice on its own. A wine sleeve or insulated bag will keep a bottle drinkable for an hour or two outdoors.
Mind the sun. Direct sunlight will turn a beautifully chilled bottle warm and tired in minutes. Find some shade.
Use the right glass. A standard white wine glass works for almost everything on this list. Flutes hold the bubbles in sparkling wine, though a slightly wider glass lets the aromas show.
Taste these wines at the vineyard this summer
The best way to find your summer favourite is to try a few side by side. We run several experiences across the warmer months at our vineyard near York.
- Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting, walk the vines and taste the full range
- Cellar Door Wine Tasting, a relaxed tasting in the heart of the winery
- Vineyard Picnic, a hamper, a bottle, and a spot among the vines
- An Evening in the Vineyard, food, wine, and a long Yorkshire sunset
If you fancy making a weekend of it, our glamping and camping options put you right next door to the vineyard.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best wine to drink in summer?
Crisp white wines and dry rosés are the classic summer choices, because their acidity and lower alcohol feel refreshing when it’s warm. From our range, Ortega and Latimer Rosé are firm summer favourites, and our Kathleen Vintage Sparkling Rosé is the bottle for when something special is called for.
Can you drink red wine in summer?
You can, if you pick a lighter style with low tannins and lower alcohol, and serve it lightly chilled. Our Eleanor Red, a blend of Pinot Noir, Cabernet, and Gamay, is built to drink well in warm weather, especially after twenty minutes in the fridge.
What temperature should white wine be served at in summer?
Most whites are best between 8 and 10°C. Sparkling wines prefer slightly colder, around 6 to 8°C. Take whites out of the fridge a few minutes before serving so they’re not so cold the flavours go quiet.
What is the best English wine for a barbecue?
A dry rosé or a lightly chilled light red works beautifully with barbecue food. We’d point you towards our Latimer Rosé for grilled chicken, sausages, and lighter dishes, or our Eleanor Red for richer cuts like lamb.
How long does an opened bottle of wine last in warm weather?
An opened bottle of white or rosé will keep for two to three days in the fridge with the cork back in. Sparkling is best finished the same day, though a proper Champagne stopper will buy you a day or two. Don’t leave an open bottle in the sun.
Does rosé need to be chilled?
Yes. Rosé is best served properly cold, around 8 to 10°C. A warm rosé loses its freshness very quickly, which is rather the whole point of the style.
Stock up for the season
Whether you’re planning a barbecue, a picnic, or a quiet evening in the garden, a small stash of summer wines in the rack is never a bad idea. Browse our full wine range or maybe a mixed case to try a few of our favourites at once. Free delivery on orders over £75.
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