Pairing wine and sunshine
With the Summer Sun comes an abundance of outdoor eating. Maybe you go to the local park with your picnic blanket or perhaps the BBQ gets lit and you sizzle things over the grill or you might even put on your walking boots and trek off into the wilds to find a picturesque view to look at whilst you have your sandwiches. Wherever you choose to go and eat your al fresco food you will find it always tastes better with a little drop of delicious vino to pair with your meal.
If you fancy a red wine pairing why not try a light bodied red that you can stick in the fridge for 20 minutes before you open it. This is ideal for picnics and can be super refreshing. Grapes such as Gamay (particularly those grown in Beaujolais and the Loire), Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc grown in cooler climates all chill down well as they are light on tannins and higher in acidity, which make them perfect for a refreshing chilled glass of red wine.
For whites and roses with picnics the world is your oyster as there are so many great choices here, but my favorite would be to go for a sparkling wine. The joy of sparkling wines is that they are super versatile and work with a wide array of foods, which is great as you often have lots of different dishes to pick at when you picnic. English Sparkling wines are the obvious choice as we are in heart of sparkling wine country here in Sussex but if you want a cheaper option why not grab a Cava? The 12th of July is international Cava Day and they make delightful wines that are ideal for enjoying in the sun with a selection of nibbles.
If you are lighting the BBQ you might want to think about a fuller bodied red, such as a Malbec, Zinfandel or Primitivo (which is the Italian version of Zinfandel) as they have very smooth tannin and intense flavours, which make them ideal for BBQ foods. The intensity and smokiness of food cooked over flame and the sweetness of many BBQ sauces means that you will want an intensely flavored wine the pair with them otherwise the taste wine will get lost in the mix.
The same is true of the white wines you pair with BBQs too, so why not try an aromatic grape such as Viognier and Gewurztraminer. Or you could try going the opposite way and have a more neutral wine such as a Picpoul de Pinet or Pinot Griego that will just refresh the palate and not get too involved with the flavours on your plate. This is all without mentioning everyone’s favorite summer wine, the pale rose. Dry and crisp there are few things more appealing in the sun and these are great regardless of if you have a BBQ cooking or a selection of nibbles on the grass.
But what if you are going on a hike and don’t want to take a glass bottle and glasses? Then canned wine is your friend. Cans are so much lighter than glass and the quality of canned wines has come on a huge way over the last few years. You can either take a plastic beaker to pour it into or even simply sip it straight from the tin as you gaze over the beautiful British countryside.
To help you find your perfect alfresco tipple why not stop by one of our stores and chat to our knowledgeable team, visit our website and pick one of our carefully selected wine cases or, if you want to try something a little different, why not choose one of these wines that we have hand picked as ideal for your next picnic or BBQ.
Laborie Blanc de Blancs, South Africa £18.95
This complex and indulgent MCC shows aromas of green apple and citrus. Hints of lime are accompanied by aromas of toasted bread and hazelnut. The palate is creamy, round and textured with an explosive acidity and lasting, elegant ‑nish.
Dafni, Psarades Vineyard, Lyrarakis, Greece £16.95
The Dafní grape variety name derives from the laurel (bay leaf) plant, which is called 'Dáfni' in Greek. A wine with a distinctive herbal character, refreshing mouthfeel and intense aromatic aſtertaste, in a citrus fruit background.
When Life Gives You Oranges, Xavier Roger, France £12.95
Clear, pale orange colour. Intense aromas of bitter oranges, dried flowers and slight nutty hints. Fresh, vivid and well-balanced, with a nice acidity; the aromas carry through to the palate. The finish is long, intense, and complex.
Petali Rose - ORGANIC, Cantalici, Italy £17.95
100% Sangiovese.Intense coral pink colour with purple hues. Pleasantly soft highlights scents of raspberry and wild strawberry, integrated with floral hints. Thanks to the vibrant freshness and flavour this wine is easy to drink. Organic.
Los Haroldos Estate Malbec, Los Haroldos, Argentina £15.95
Los Haroldos Roble Malbec is a classic, rich, intensely fruity Malbec from high altitude vineyards. Ripe fruit, smoke and chocolate on the nose with fleshy blackberry fruit. Malbec makes the perfect partner for a BBQ with friends.