The Great British Summertime is upon us. Leave the house in glorious sunshine and an hour later you get caught in a downpour…It is with absolute optimism that we bring you the best wines to drink alfresco this summer.
Tis the season to drink pink, with European producers about to release the 2021 vintage of their rosé wines. Ideally you should drink this style of wine as young and fresh as possible, so keep an eye out in shops for old vintages and avoid them! There is nothing better than sitting on a sun-soaked patio drinking a nice cold glass of rosé. Rosé comes in many different guises and colours, from the palest salmon to deep cherry pink. It also varies a lot in sweetness levels. If you prefer a dry style, the perfect pink for patés and charcuterie is a Bardolino Chiaretto from Italy. Made on the shores of Lake Garda, it offers more flavour and intensity than Pinot Grigio Blush, with plenty of fresh acidity to pair with food.
Heavy glass bottles aren’t always a practical option for a picnic, so why not try a canned wine? This recent innovation is perfect for wine on the go. The aluminium can keeps the wine fresh and cool and it’s infinitely recyclable, making it an eco-friendly option too! Sauvignon Blanc is the nation’s favourite white grape, and perfect for summer with it’s crisp and zesty flavours of citrus and tropical fruits. Try with fresh cheese; such as a Greek salad with feta or some goats cheese. Don’t dismiss bag-in-box wine either, it can be a good value crowd pleaser. The makers of Mirabeau are doing a rosé version this summer or try the Torres classic Vina Sol
Keeping to the theme of British summertime, why not try an English Sparkling Wine instead of your usual glass of fizz? Nestled in the leafy village of Tenterden in Kent, Chapel Down is one of the top producers of English sparkling wine (they also make beer and gin too!), with access to a range of soils in the South Downs, perfect for growing grapes. It is made using the traditional method, the same way that Champagne is produced, and they also use the classic Champagne blend of grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir & Pinot Meunier. The cool English climate is ideal for making wines with a high level of acidity, making it the perfect match for takeaway fish & chips perched on the seafront on your staycation. It has the same effect as squeezing a lemon on top of your fish!
If the rain does fall, there’s no need to despair. You can always live vicariously through your wine choices and imagine you are on a sunny beach holiday by opting for a Greek wine. Assyrtiko is a high quality white grape variety which is indigenous to the island of Santorini but now grown all over Greece. Its superpower is retaining freshness despite the soaring temperatures. It’s an ancient variety that has been grown on the island for over 3000 years. It is best-suited to low yields in the vineyard and the vines are trained low to the ground in basket-shaped coils to avoid exposure to the strong winds. This special Greek grape will go down a treat with Mediterranean mezze or grilled fish.
Four wines perfect for summer…
Pascua Bardolino Chiaretto, Veneto, Italy, £8.99 from Majestic
A fresh and elegant rosé wine, with youthful notes of cherry, raspberry and strawberry. Made from the classic grapes of Valpolicella region.
Most Wanted Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa, £2.50 a can from Tesco
A perfect picnic-friendly option, and kind to the environment too. Fresh and zesty flavours of lime, grapefruit and elderflower.
Chapel Down Classic Brut, NV, Kent, England, £27 from Waitrose
A sparkling wine made from the classic Champagne grapes, this wine is fresh, soft and fruity in style, with aromas of red apples and baking bread and fine bubbles.
Filos Estate Assyrtiko Aspri Petra, Florina, Greece, £6.99 from Aldi
Rich in body and texture with flavours of citrus and grapefruit and a fresh minerality.
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