Your evenings and weekends are perhaps not feeling as sociable at the moment, but there are alternative ways to spend time with your nearest and dearest, all whilst enjoying one of the affordable bottles we recommend here.
A pub quiz over zoom? House Party to celebrate a loved one’s birthday? Evening drinks with friends or colleagues? There are so many new and innovative ways to stay in touch and enjoy the much-loved aperitifs you’d usually share in person. All you need for your online aperitif is a screen, a wifi connection, a little something to snack on, and of course a carefully selected bottle.
Here’s what we suggest…
Warmer weather is well on its way, and we should make the most of the longer days as far as we can! You might want a little glass of Triennes rosé, a summer favourite at iDealwine, whether you’re inside, on the balcony, or lucky enough to have a garden!
Another bottle to consider if you’re after a rosé is the natural, sparkling Manganèse from Domaine Richard Rottiers in the Beaujolais. Tasted and adored by the team at the Bien Boire en Beaujolais salon last year, it was our wine of the day, with its aromas of pears and peaches alongside a floral touch and a saline minerality. Nicely indulgent because of its residual sugar, this wine will pair nicely with a dessert. Now that’s a combination sure to make the current situation a little more bearable…
Picture this: there’s an Atlantic breeze brushing your face, and the saltiness in the air evokes a strong desire for oysters…that’s right, you’re in Muscadet, with a glass of Muscadet Sévre et Maine sur Lie Les Houx, produced by the rock star of the region, Jo Landron. A fresh and saline wine that offers a superb price-quality ratio, as is often the case with this part of the winemaking world.
And how could we fail to mention one of our longtime favourites, Domaine Tissot in the Jura. The Arbois Patchwork, a Chardonnay cuvée, is delightful with its aromas of citrus and minerals, and its mature mouthfeel, rounded off with a lovely freshness; It will pair well with cheeses like a refined comté.
During the Grenier Saint Jean salon in Angers a few months ago, we had the pleasure of tasting wines from Domaine des Accoles. Their Chapelle cuvée, a biodynamic Vin de France, was outstanding. From old Grenache, Carignan, Cabernet and Syrah vines, as well as other native varieties like Cousten and Auben, it charms with its indulgent notes of fruit and spices and its supple tannins. Something to excite your palate, that much is certain!
Further south, in the Minervois, Jean-Baptiste Sénat produces terroir wines that perfectly harmonise indulgence and finesse. The Mais où est donc Ornicar cuvée – a blend of organically-grown Grenache, Carignan, Cinsault and Mourvèdre – is a fruit bomb!
So these are just a few ideas for wines to enjoy during your socially distant aperitifs! Here is our full selection of aperitif wines. Cheers to friends, family, and your health!
