How to enjoy wine & champagne even in the summer heat!

A hot summer in Vienna – what could be better than enjoying a chilled glass of wine or sparkling champagne with friends in the park, on your balcony, or by the Danube Canal?

But when the temperature rises above 30 °C, it’s not just us who suffer – wine does too. To help you enjoy wine in style, even on the hottest days, we’ve put together some practical tips, clever lifehacks, and a few surprising facts about wine and heat.

1. Chill it right – but not too cold

Too much cold can suppress aromas. The right temperature brings out the best in your wine:

• Champagne & sparkling wine: 6–8 °C
• White wine: 8–12 °C
• Rosé: 10–12 °C
• Light red wine: 12–14 °C

Tip: A mix of ice cubes and water in your wine cooler chills more efficiently than ice alone – water transfers cold more evenly.

Even smarter: use freezer-cold cooling sleeves – just slip one over the bottle and you’re good to go!

2. Choose the right summer wines

Light, fresh wines with vibrant acidity are perfect for summer. Here are some of our top picks:

• Sauvignon Blanc
• Grüner Veltliner
• Dry Riesling
• Rosé from Provence
• Chilled Pinot Noir or Zweigelt

A quality sparkling wine or champagne adds a touch of elegance to any summer evening.

The perfect answer to summer heat? Champagne on ice!
Light, refreshing, and specially designed to be served over ice. Varieties like Moët Ice Impérial or Veuve Clicquot Rich On Ice are made for hot days – just pour 2–3 ice cubes into a large wine glass, add champagne, and enjoy. You can also garnish with mint or a slice of citrus – it doesn’t get more elegant than that.

3. Use the right glasses

Smaller glasses help keep your wine cooler for longer, as less surface area is exposed to warm air.

For sparkling wines, tulip-shaped glasses are best – they enhance the aromas and preserve the bubbles longer than narrow flutes.

Tip: Rinse glasses with cold water before pouring, or chill them in the fridge for a few minutes – an easy way to give your wine a refreshing edge. Double-walled glasses are also a stylish and practical option for hot days.

4. Keep bottles cool

Whether it’s a picnic, barbecue, or terrace gathering – wine and heat don’t mix well. So here’s what to do:

• Store bottles in cooler bags or ice buckets

• In an ice bucket: combine ice and water for more even cooling

• Always keep bottles in the shade – direct sunlight heats them up quickly

Emergency hack: Wrap the bottle in damp kitchen paper or a wet tea towel and place it in the shade – the evaporation helps cool it down noticeably.

5. Have your wine delivered

Skip the heavy lifting – and keep your wine perfectly chilled:
Our wine delivery service in Vienna brings your favorite wines straight to your door – fast, cool, and ready to drink.