A wine spritzer doesn't need to be complicated to be good. The right base wine does most of the work — and a white blend with floral aromatics, natural citrus notes, and crisp minerality is exactly the right starting point.
This spritzer is built around Beringer's Knights Valley white wine, a Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend with chamomile florals and balanced minerality. Fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of club soda bring it to life. It's the kind of drink that works at a backyard gathering, a Sunday brunch, or any occasion where something light and refreshing is called for.
At a Glance
- Drink: Meritage Citrus Spritzer
- Base Wine: Knights Valley White Wine (Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend)
- Serves: 1 (scales easily)
- Total Time: ~5 minutes
- Best For: Warm-weather entertaining, brunch, aperitivo hour
About the Wine
The Knights Valley white wine is a winery-exclusive blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, grown in Beringer's Knights Valley estate in Sonoma County. The Semillon adds body and a gentle waxy texture; the Sauvignon Blanc brings the floral aromatics, citrus lift, and mineral crispness. Together, they produce a wine that's vibrant and food-friendly on its own, and a natural foundation for a spritzer.
Explore the full Knights Valley collection.
Meritage Citrus Spritzer
Serves: 1
Total Time: ~5 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 oz Beringer Knights Valley white wine (Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend)
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup
- Club soda, to top
- Ice
- Lemon or lime wheel and fresh mint, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a wine glass or stemless glass with ice.
- Add the white wine, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir gently to combine.
- Top with a splash of club soda.
- Garnish with a citrus wheel and a sprig of fresh mint.
Tip: For a less sweet version, reduce the simple syrup to ½ oz and add a little more lemon juice. The floral notes of the Semillon come through more clearly when the sweetness is dialed back.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine works best in a spritzer?
Light, aromatic white wines with natural acidity work best in spritzers. Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blends are ideal — they have enough character to come through when diluted with soda, and their citrus and floral notes complement fresh lemon juice. Beringer's Knights Valley white wine is a strong choice for exactly this reason.
What is Meritage wine?
Meritage is an American wine category for blends made from Bordeaux grape varieties. White Meritage wines typically include Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, the same grapes used in the white wines of Bordeaux's Graves and Pessac-Léognan regions. The term is trademarked by the Meritage Alliance and is used to signal a quality commitment to Bordeaux-style blending.
Can I make this spritzer in a batch for a party?
Yes. Multiply the wine, lemon juice, and simple syrup by the number of servings and combine in a pitcher. Add ice and stir. Pour into glasses over fresh ice and top each glass with club soda to order — adding the soda to the pitcher ahead of time will cause it to go flat. Garnish each glass with a citrus wheel and mint.
Love light, refreshing pairings? Try our Mango Avocado Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette paired with Beringer Private Reserve Chardonnay.
