You probably don’t feel like a glass of deep, long-aged Shiraz right now, and nor do we. But there are plenty of wines that better suit the warmer temperatures, so we asked the team for their recent top picks.
Rosé rosé rosé
Some wine snobs will sneer at it, but rosé has the whole package when the summer months come around: light and fresh, fruity and floral, complex if you’d like or easy-drinking for those languorous days spent outside. Elsa likes Le Petit Ami from the Beaujolais’ Marc Delienne and Château Pradeaux’s Bandol that’s simply a holiday in a bottle.
Agathe enjoys Château d’Esclans’ Whispering Angel rosé for its round and subtle palate, whilst Joffrey’s go-to glass of pink is the Corail cuvée from Château de Roquefort.
A rosé with a hint of fizz will go down well at a festive summer event, and Maxime recommends the iconic Triple Zéro cuvée from La Taille aux Loups.
What’s a “pét nat”, again?
Affectionately known as a “pét nat”, short for “petillant naturel”, these natural sparkling wines are still all the rage in stripped-back, burrata-serving wine bars, and they’re a perfect way to brighten up an evening aperitif. Elsa’s a connoisseur of these things, and she’s a fan of the Gaillac Mauzac from Plageolles, the Montlouis-sur-Louis Bubulle by Lise and Bertrand Jousset, and Les Perles du Mont-Blanc from Maison Belluard.
Light whites
You might well be enjoying a seaside getaway in August, but even if you’re not, a seafood dish will be a welcome addition to your summer table. And what could pair better with your oyster platter than a mineral-rich Muscadet. Orlaith picked the Taurus cuvée from Domaine de l’Ecu as a warm weather favourite.
Other white wines to serve with a light and seasonal dish include Victor’s pick of Château de Béru’s Chablis, a natural wine with perfect balance between soft roundness and lifting tension.
North & South
Those of you who struggle through the heat, portable fan in hand and 9 litres of water on the go, will be dreaming of somewhere cooler as the world swelters. Among the more northern producers in our collection is the Vignoble du Rêveur in Alsace. Paul has chosen the domain’s Artisan cuvée, an orange wine that should pique your curiosity and transport you to breezier lands.
On the other hand, for a taste of the roasting south of France, Alexandre’s suggestion will be right up your street: the Banyuls cuvée from Coume del Mas in Roussillon, a wine that pairs beautifully with a basket of fresh strawberries. Heading abroad is also on the cards for many, and another of Paul’s top summer picks is the Fontanasanta cuvée by Elisabetta Foradori, a domain perched on the Italian Dolomites that’ll bring some mountain freshness to any sunny occasion.
Cider, anyone?
We’re maybe cheating a bit here, but if a glass of wine still doesn’t tempt you, cider is a perfect choice. Manu will be opening a bottle of Sydre Argelette by Eric Bordelet, a top-of-the-range cider made from ancient apple trees, and one that displays the complex potential of this underestimated drink. Similarly, Elsa loves the Cidrerie du Vulcain, another example of artisanal cider that’s taking the drinks business by storm for its exceptional quality.
That’s what our team have been uncorking, now it’s up to you to choose!
