Many of us can’t resist the deliciously fresh fruits on a pleasant summer day. I must admit, during this season, I also enjoy sipping crisp, refreshing, and fruity wines. That’s where the idea came from to explore which wine might be a good choice based on our favorite fruit.

It’s important to note that sweet, ripe fruit isn’t always the best companion to dry wines, as their high sugar content can overshadow the wine’s fruitiness and freshness. This often makes the wine taste more bitter or acidic, while emphasizing its alcohol content. As a golden rule, the wine should be at least as sweet as the food you’re pairing it with. If you pick the right fruit, sweet dessert wines can be a great match, offering exciting pairings.

Now, back to our original question. Let’s find a wine that reflects the flavors of our favorite fruit while we sip it on the terrace on a beautiful summer day.

• Pear (often found in Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Gris)
• Lemon (Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay)
• Lime (Riesling, Albariño, Grüner Veltliner)
• Orange (Viognier, Muscat, some skin-contact/orange wines)
• Pineapple (Chardonnay, Viognier, warm-climate white wines)
• Mango (Torrontés, Viognier, Sauternes)
• Grapefruit (Sauvignon Blanc, Vermentino, Assyrtiko)
• Watermelon (Zweigelt, Gamay or Rosé wines)

We haven’t mentioned popular fruits like strawberries, cherries, sour cherries, blackberries, blueberries, red currants, plums, and many other red or blue fruits. These flavors can be found in red wines, which we’ll explore further in our next post.