Sun Glasses
When the sun’s shining, Londoners make the most of the city with picnics in the park, backyard barbecues and riverside, alfresco dining. For wine lovers, summer is a chance to seek out lighter styles – perfect for seasonal food pairing, too. If you’re picking out bottles this summer, don’t feel restricted to just one shade of vino. Sure, nothing says refreshment like a cool bottle of (white) fizz chilling in an ice bucket, but eye-catching pink rosés are a true summer staple; some of the heavier, woodier whites might actually be a bit too burdensome for a summer get-together; and though red wine conjures images of wintry nights in by the fire, lighter red wines make perfect summer drinking (and many even benefit from being chilled in the fridge for half an hour). The following selections are all available from Borough Wines, though feel free to try different variations using the same grape types and from the regions mentioned. There’s fun to be had in finding new favourites.
Sparkling
Champagne is the ultimate luxury; prosecco is a wallet-friendly, fun alternative, but there’s plenty of sparkle in between. Italy’s Moscato d’Asti is made for summer: a pretty, lightly sweet treat that’s heavenly with strawberries. Spain offers characterful cava that’s a natural match for light bites and tapas. Or if you like French wines, but can’t afford champagne, look for similarly produced regional cremants, like Cremant de Loire. The southern hemisphere also produces fantastic fizz. Seek out top-quality bottles from cooler vineyards in Tasmania, New Zealand, Argentina and Chile. Closer to home, English sparkling wine is a local treat that’s fast gaining an international reputation.
Castell d’Age, Cava Anne Marie Brut Nature Reserva, Spain, £19.50 From a winery run by three generations of women from the Junyent family, this has delicate citrus aromas and a fresh palate with ripe fruit, hazelnut and a hint of toast. Certified organic, biodynamic and vegan.
Bolney English Sparkling Rosé NV, Sussex, England, £40 One of the longest established English vineyards, Bolney has been making award-winning wines for over 35 years. This fizz has a fine, tightly beaded mousse. Notes of raspberry and wild strawberry are perfect for summer days.
White
Warm days call for crisp and dry whites, so as a general rule save any bottles that have a long ageing in oak for autumn. Instead, opt for clean mineral styles, which are often naturally lower in alcohol: German Riesling, Italian Vermentino and French classics Chablis (made from Chardonnay) and Sancerre (Sauvignon Blanc).For the ultimate fresh taste, styles that come from coastal wine regions often capture that salty sea tang. Look for Albariño from Galicia on Spain’s north-west coast, which offers attractive citrus, stone fruit and apple notes; the same grape, called Alvarinho, is used to make crisp Vinho Verde in northern Portugal.
Maison Chanzy Bouzeron les Trois, Bourgogne Aligote, France, £24 The vineyards of Domaine Chanzy are spread across the three principal regions of Burgundy. This is a delicately powerful wine with bright lemony fruit and a solid backbone of acidity.
Quinta de Santiago Vinho Verde, Portugal, £10 Made by a third-generation family-run winery, this is an elegant and fruity Alvarinho. The perfect summer aperitif – or try it with seafood.
Rose
Ranging from delicate “barely there” shades to vibrant pinks, colour is often an indicator of style. Pale pinks are usually more delicate, while darker pinks have more body, making them a good bet for food pairing. And the real beauty of rosé is that it’s super-versatile when it comes to summer food, complementing everything from salads and seafood to veggies and meat. The benchmark style is elegant Provence rosé. This delicate pale pink is made from varieties such as Grenache, Carignan and Cinsault, and conjures Côte d’Azur glamour. If Thames-side is more your style, look for heartier rosados from Spain.
Dojan Rosé, Piedmont, Italy, £13.50 From one of the oldest family-run, certified organic wineries in Piedmont. Made from the Barbera grape, this is aromatic and fresh with a fruity bouquet of wild cherries. Enjoy with fish dishes.
Domaine des Tourelles Rosé, Lebanon, £15.50 From a dynamic winery run by three siblings: Faouzi Issa, Christaine Issa and Emile Issa-el Khoury. They make this fuller-bodied rosé, with a zesty, spicy finish. Great with Middle Eastern food. Vegetarian and vegan.
