White Wine or Gin: What is the Ideal Summertime Drink?

Just as we dress seasonally to suit the different weather conditions, it makes sense to choose our drinks dependent on what’s the weather like outside. Summer is the season for outdoor living, enjoying BBQs, picnics or quiet evenings on the deck. So, when it comes to drinks, you need something that can accompany the lighter style of food eaten outside in the summer.

But making the right choice may not be so easy. Crisp white wines Australia wineries offer are great for quenching your thirst in the warmth of summer, but Australian made gin is also a great choice for enjoying a glass of refreshing drink in the warm, summer sun.

White Wine vs. Gin

All You Need to Know About White Wines

There are a few things as refreshing as a perfectly chilled glass of wine in the summertime. Using a stemmed glass is always a better idea as a stemless wine glass  is more suitable for room temperature wine. Serving wine on a hot day can be a real challenge, so here are a few things you may find useful.

White wines are the summer favourites and for a good reason. They are made for warm weather, especially the ones made from traditional warm-weather grapes, such as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. You can find a wide range of white wines Australia made and choose a bottle for a special occasion or one to be sipped down.

There are many varieties of white wine grapes and no two varieties produce the same wine. Whether you prefer sweet or dry wine, crisp or creamy, there is sure to be a wine that suits your taste. If you like oaky and buttery flavours, Chardonnay may be your top choice, while Pinot Grigio with fruity or floral aromas can a great choice if you are looking for a light, refreshing drink. If you want to try something with crisp and refreshing flavours of citrusy fruits, then you may want to consider a Riesling or Sauvignon Blanc.

The body of the wine plays a big role in picking out the right wine for different occasions. Referred to as the weight of the wine sometimes, the body is a result of how the wine feels in your mouth. It’s divided into three categories – light, medium and full. While many factors contribute to the body of the wine, alcohol percentage is the main component and it’s developed through the fermentation process.

White wines are fermented at a cooler temperature than red wines to preserve the fresh fruit flavour. You can choose light-bodied, crisp wines that contain a lower ABV (alcohol by volume) if your occasion calls for pairing with lighter food, but if you will be enjoying a hearty meal, then you can opt for wines with a higher ABV, medium to heavy in body. They contain rich flavours and can be a perfect choice to pair with your meal.

What’s All the Fuss About Gin?

Australian gin is booming lately and it doesn’t seem like it’s going to change anytime soon. Aussie distillers have further explored the use of native botanicals and the gin production has introduced new botanicals to the traditional juniper focused spirit. It boosts the versatility of the drink and catches the interest of consumers, especially on the hot summer days when nothing can beat a sip of a good, refreshing cocktail.

It’s believed that gin is one of the clearest spirits ever made. It can be enjoyed straight or with a variety of mixes, from old fashioned cocktails to more experimental ones. You can find Australian made gin suitable for the season and various occasions. To make the right choice, consider a few factors, including the method of distilling, the size of the final cut, quantities of each botanical as well as ratio of botanicals to alcohol.

As the main ingredient of many fizzy, refreshing drinks, gin is an ideal summer spirit. Classic drinks of the season such as Gin and Tonic or Tom Collins are based on gin. Gin gives some strength of character to the mix, which is the main reason why its presence is significantly increasing on the beverage scene. Australia gin has crafted itself onto the spiritous map by celebrating the key ingredient – juniper but adding an Australian twist to it.

Gin can showcase local botanicals better than any other spirit. Lemon myrtle, wattleseed, Tasmanian pepper berries, river mint, the nut of bunya pine and more, are just some of the ingredients that give Aussie gin a unique and delicious taste. Pay attention to the botanicals infused in as they can make the entire gin drinking experience much better.

If you are new to gin you may hesitate to drink it neat, however, the most important thing is to learn how to appreciate the full course of flavours. More and more gins these days are designed to be enjoyed neat, but also, they can be used for creating balanced cocktails as gin is perfect for it, thanks to its dry, herbal and refreshing components.

Moderate alcohol consumption has been linked to certain health benefits, but it’s always a better idea to seek professional medical advice before consuming any alcohol based-beverage for health purposes. Remember that drinking alcohol is something you should do for enjoyment and you should always drink responsibly.