During the warmer months, there can be no greater joy than sitting in a park enjoying a classic, overcooked British barbecue with a glass of wine in hand. Swap your plastic cup for a glass tumbler, and your folding chair for a flotation device and you could be on a yacht in the south of France. Okay the wine might not be that good, but it can still be enough to make your summertime dining great. But for those of us less well-versed in the art of selecting the right wine to go with our food, the experience can be a slightly daunting task.
Unsurprisingly, given that until last July I was still a student, the level of sophistication of my palette when it comes to wine is somewhat limited. In my first year of studying, I was committed to the fine grapes of the Gallo Family Vineyard, in particular their Zinfandel, a rosé that came in what can only be described as a shocking pink. In second year, having overdone it on the Gallo, I moved on to white wine and the Casillero del Diablo Pinot Grigio. Prosecco also became a staple in my all-female household, where every night was girls’ night and cheap bubbles flowed freely. By third year, a first meeting with my boyfriend’s parents necessitated a more refined palette, so I finally put down the cheap Pinot and embraced good red wine. That, and my dad’s appreciation for a good Rioja, converted me.
As you might surmise, my wine history is a shamefully stereotypical one, largely characterised by whatever was on offer, and punctuated by large bouts of swearing off certain types because I was ‘allergic’ (read: overindulgent). And ultimately, the underlying truth that I really am just more of a lager girl (sorry dad). Luckily at the grand old age of 23, I now not only know the types of wine I like, but I also don’t grab the cheapest bottle (now I grab the second-cheapest!).
Clearly I’m far from being qualified to tell you what you should be drinking, which is why I’ve decided to get the experts to break it down for me. Like I said, summer is a time to be enjoying good food and great wine. As Gemma Duncan, from wine merchants Berry Bros & Rudd, puts it, “at their best, summer’s seasonal ingredients are so easy to enjoy: simply cooked, seasoned and, naturally, partnered with a suitably delicious glass of wine. With pleasures such as English asparagus, sparklingly fresh seafood and crisp, flavour-filled salads cropping up on the menu, wines need to be elegant and versatile”.
In a summer wine you’re looking for something that “brings the freshness and makes your mouth water”, Laurence Walker from Mayfair’s Hedonism Wines, tells me. So whether you’re planning on entertaining this summer, or want to impress your host at your next summer party, here’s everything you need to know.
WHITES
For me white wine is the most quintessentially summery of the wines. It is light, zesty and goes with just about any (non red meat-based) dish you’ll be serving on a hot day.
Sancerre: The zesty flavours of a Sancerre make it a winner for many summer occasions. As Gemma’s pick for a good summer white, the Sancerre is an easy drinking white wine, which means you can indulge during the day alongside your picnic.
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Riesling: The high acidity of a Riesling provides an excellent companion to your summer dining. It is also renowned for its fruity tones, so you really need look no further than the poster wine for mouth-watering summer refreshers.
Assyrtiko: Laurence recommends that you throw in a wine-flavoured curveball and offer up this lesser-known grape native to Greece. A slightly more exotic choice, an Assyrtiko can be either dry or sweet and pairs excellently with seafood, making it ideal for summer.
ROSÉ
For me, Rosé has become the ultimate summer drink and Gemma agrees: “Whether we’re talking a mere blush of pink or an elegant salmon hue, the mere sight of a glass of rosé seems like shorthand for a convivial meal to come”.
Sancerre Rosé: Go for Gemma’s top choice, the white Sancerre’s pink counterpart for a fruity twist on the classic flavour. A light blush ideal for anyone who loves their rosé to have a berry flavour to it.
REDS
When it comes to summer, you’ll be wanting some light and refreshing – but that doesn’t mean you need to forsake red wine in the warmer months. Gemma discussed with me how “lighter reds lend themselves to Mediterranean flavours such as garlic and lemon roasted chicken or robust salads”. Ideal then for your big dinner party al fresco.
Fleurie: A top pick across the board, Fleurie is a lighter, smoother red coming from the Beaujolais region in France. This lighter, smoother red has a floral aroma and fruitiness to the taste that makes it perfect for a picnic.
Shiraz: If you like your reds to be full-bodied, a Shiraz is the one for you. Chosen by Laurence as the ideal barbecue accompaniment, a spicy, bold Australian Shiraz will bring out the flavour of your ribs. Perhaps Shiraz is best saved for the evening, because when enjoyed in the afternoon, it might warrant an afternoon snooze.
SPARKLING WINES
Moscato: Prosecco and sparkling wines have undoubtedly topped champagne off its perch when it comes to sparkling wines so this summer Laurence is championing the Italian sparkling wine Moscato. This crisp, fresh taste is ideal for picnic food and perfect for daytime drinking because it is “lower in alcohol so easier to consume during the day when you want something nice and fresh and easy-going”.