Warm climate wines are full of fruit and yummy!

We enjoy wine tasting parties as the weather turns warmer. Particularly here in beautiful Victoria, BC, Canada! We set up our deck and invite a few friends over and get going with some wine tasting. This post shares a recent wine tasting event we enjoyed in June 2025 with a theme of warm climate wines!

Background: Warm Climate Wines

When you look at a typical map of wine growing regions around the world, there are some regions that are, due to a number of factors, are predisposed to warmer weather and all that entails. Typically this means high temperatures, abundant sunshine, and lower rainfall, resulting in wines with higher alcohol content, lower acidity, and ripe fruit flavors.

Examples of these locations are: California, Argentina, Australia, Southern Italy, Spain, and Southern France. But what do the contributing factors mean for the growing grapes?

• High Temperatures: these contribute to faster grape ripening, leading to higher sugar levels and thus higher alcohol content in the wine. (think of the big & bold Shiraz of Australia!)
• Abundant Sunshine:Longer periods of sunshine help grapes accumulate more sugar, resulting in riper fruit flavors and fuller-bodied wines.
• Lower Rainfall:Less rainfall can concentrate grape flavors and create a more robust, complex wine. 

Typical Warm Climate Wine Varietals

Some examples of typical varietals you would find in some of these warm climate regions are:

• California (USA)
  • Regions like Napa Valley, Paso Robles, and Lodi are known for their warm climates, producing wine varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, and Chardonnay. 
• Argentina
  • Mendoza is a prominent warm climate region known for its Malbec wines. 
• Australia
  • Regions like Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale in South Australia, and parts of New South Wales, are known for Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. 
• Southern Italy
  • Sicily and other southern regions produce wines with rich fruit flavors, like Primitivo. 
• Spain
  • Regions like Jumilla, Rioja, and parts of Andalusia are known for their warm climate, and produce Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Monastrell for reds, and Albariño and Verdejo for whites.
• Southern France
  • Regions like Languedoc-Roussillon and the Southern Rhône Valley produce wines like Syrah and Grenache. 
• South Africa: 
  • Certain regions like Stellenbosch are known for their warm climate. Cabernet, Pinotage, and Syrah for reds, and Chenin Blanc feature prominently.

The Wine Tasting Party on Warm Climate Wines

We asked our guests to provide one bottle of wine per couple. Two couples were to bring a bottle of red and 2 couples bottles of white wine. For the midday gathering, four bottles seemed to work well. Each couple contributed an appetizer as well for us to nibble on during our wine tasting.

For all the details of how we organize and flow through the wine tasting party, check out this post. 

Warm Climate Wines We Tasted

Wine #1: Muddy Water Chardonnay 2018

• Region         : New Zealand / South Island/Canterbury /Waipara
• Grapes         : Chardonnay 100%
• Producer     : Muddy Water

Tasting Notes:

Clear lemon gold white wine with pronounced aromas of lemon, pear, wet stones, honey and some subtle nuttiness. The palate was dry, medium acidity, medium + alcohol (13.5% abv), full bodies with pronounced fruitiness of ripe peaches, hazelnut and buttery goodness. This developed/drink now wine had a long finish and was very good. Produced on the south island of New Zealand, on an acclaimed certified organic vineyard, this wine is a gem!

Wine #2: Terre Brûlée from Swartland, South Africa 

• Region           :  Coastal Region, Swartland, South Africa
• Grapes           : Chenin Blanc 100%
• Producer        : Vincent Careme

Tasting Notes:

This clear, lemon yellow white wine, had light intensity aromas of lemongrass, citrus zest and white pepper, with some mineral notes. On the palate, it was dry, with medium alcohol (13 % abv). An oily texture and flavours of golden fruit and spice. Balanced with high acidity, it had a lovely complexity. A medium plus finish, it was well balanced and was very good.

Wine #3: Wolf Blass Gold Label Regional Reserve Shiraz, Australia

• Region: Australia / McLaren Vale & Langhorne
• Grapes: Shiraz 100%
• Producer: Wolf Blass

Tasting Notes:

A purple red wine with pronounced aromas of blackberries, blueberries and dark plums. A touch of spice and dark chocolate. On the palate it was dry, with medium + acidity and high alcohol (14.5% abv). Additional notes of cinnamon, toast and pronounced jamminess. Silky tannins, and a long even mouth-watering finish. A very good Shiraz!

Wine #4: Basilisco Aglianico Del Vulture Teodosio, 2021, Italy

• Region: Vulture, Basilicata, Italy
• Grapes: Aglianico 100%
• Producer: Basilisco

Tasting Notes:

A deep ruby red wine, with aromas of blackberries, cedar and chocolate. On the palate, it was dry with high tannins and medium bodied. Additional mineral notes and pepper on the palate to compliment the balanced acidity. A well balanced red, with persistent berry flavours and a lingering finish. First taste of an Aglianico, and I want more!

Warm Climate Wines Tasting – Summary

One of the things we really enjoy with wine tasting parties is the ability to try a few different wines. Particularly ones you may never have tried before. Sometimes you may not want to spend the money, or, you’re unsure if you will like it so you don’t buy it.

With the tasting notes provided to the guests, it also allows them to self-guide themselves through the wine tasting. This is similar to when you go to a vineyard or a cellar door and do a tasting.

These parties are also a great way for someone who is not in the wine or food industry to be able to practice tasting different wines. With friends, in a comfortable social setting, it makes for a great event!

Enjoy –

For more wine tastings, check out our posts on our blog!