BEST WINES TO ENJOY ON A TERRACE

In Spain, the conversations we share over food and drink have their own unique names. Terraceo, for example, is a get-together on a café terrace. This outdoor heir to the classic sobremesa – long post-dinner conversations – leaves room for all kinds of topics and emotions. Wine, after all, does not judge. Enjoyed in moderation, wine brings us together, encouraging connections and exchange. Spending time with our favourite people is the best way of celebrating the here and now.

Enjoying a glass of, Clos Ancestral Blanco, a white wine, at a café terrace. 

Wine has made the leap from our dining tables to café terraces, not only accompanying our meals but becoming part of how we communicate and socialize with others. The importance of wine as a factor of social cohesion evolved from its origins in liturgy and religious ritual – wine as a symbolic element – to the consolidation of wine culture across all social strata.

So…what style of wine is best suited to our terrace encounters?

Getting together with our nearest and dearest isn’t about tasting, analysing or debating wine in a serious fashion. It’s all about the moment, about spending quality time together. The focus is on us and the people we are sharing the moment with. In other words, the wine takes on a complementary role – a role not every wine is meant to play. So, what are we looking for?

• Pleasant wines that are unpretentious and not excessively complex. Round wines without edges or “auteur” aspirations.  Scratch “risky” wines – unfiltered or experimental in style – off the list. Of course, these are often exceptional wines, but they require a level of technical attention and tasting formalities that are at odds or take away from the real purpose of a terraceo. 

• Versatile wines that go well with classic nibbles. Making the right choice is easy, just jot down these simple tips: rosé wines, whites partially aged in oak (subtle is key: just enough to compensate for potentially excessive acidity), and young reds with timid tannins, free from astringent sensations. 

• The perception of oak should be subtle and remain in the background. This means wines with little oak ageing and/or bottle ageing are an excellent choice. They reveal their varietal and aromatic character with an emphasis on fruit, rounding out and adding to the liveliness and fun of a terrace gathering.

• The wines should be moderate in alcohol, because we’ll most likely want a second glass. And everything is better in moderation.

• These days sparkling rosés are the latest trend. They are versatile and a delight to drink, plus they add a touch of spontaneous glamour that brightens every occasion. And let’s not forget, they are captivatingly beautiful to the eye.
   

Enjoying Celeste Crianza, with cheese and olive tapas 

Current consumption trends revolve around a concern for the environment, greater social awareness, and a quasi-archaeological exploration of craftmanship connected to emotions. There is a desire for the simplicity of an unadorned past, stripped of artifice and superficiality. Look for wines made from local varieties, low in alcohol, that add a splash of colour and life to our favourite hangouts.

Over the years, wine has evolved from a ritual component reserved for the few to an exuberant social companion that brings us together and is available to everyone. When wine joins our get-togethers in the streets and squares, it fulfils its highest goal: sharing and celebrating life.