With the sun shining, it’s time to slap on the sunscreen and crack open a bottle or two as you make the most of the weather. I’ve put together a summer wine selection that’s perfect for sharing with friends and family, or for sipping as the sun sets. From an everyday white to some celebratory bubbles, there’s something to suit every occasion.
Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Pays d’Oc Viognier 2023
£11
Made from the ancient grape variety Viognier and grown on the hillsides of the Hérault and Aude Valley in the South of the Minervois, the terroir is composed of limestone-based soil, which imparts a minerality to the grapes that is beautifully expressed in the wine. With ample rainfall, thanks to the nearby Cévennes and Pyrenees mountains, coupled with plentiful sunshine, the flavours are intense and concentrated.
On the nose, you’ll find white stone fruits, a touch of citrus blossom and some warm spices. Those flavours combine on the palate, bringing freshness and acidity that balance well with the creamy texture resulting from the wine’s ageing on the lees. The long finish is dry and crisp, with minerality persisting to the end.
A great wine for summer sipping or back garden barbecues, complementing chicken and fish perfectly.
Van Gogh “Avenue of Poplars in Autumn” by Domaine du Météore
£19
The red wine offering from Domaine du Météore will add a little artistic flair to your summer table. Avenue of Poplars in Autumn is named after the 1884 Van Gogh painting that adorns the label. The landscape depicts an autumnal scene of a road lined with tall, yellowing poplar trees, typically seen in the Languedoc region, home to the vineyard.
Made using a blend of organic Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre grapes, this aromatic, deep red wine is fresh and spicy in equal measure. On the nose, there’s a hit of intense blackcurrant, with a hint of acidity to make the taste buds tingle. On the palate, hints of juniper and lavender add depth to the flavour, easing you into a long, slightly spicy finish.
It’s fresh and easy to drink – perfect for a summer’s evening.
Laurent Delaunay Les Grappillages Chablis 2023
£18
This Chablis, from the vineyards of northern Burgundy, with its limestone and fossil-rich soils, is the newest offering from fifth-generation winemaker Laurent Delaunay.
With a stunning pale golden hue, this Chablis brings light and zesty citrus notes to the nose, with slight floral notes in the mix. On the palate, it is crisp and fresh, with plenty of minerality to reflect the terroir on which the vines grow. It is well balanced, with the acidity and freshness working in harmony, leading to an elegant, long finish that will have you reaching for a top-up.
Chablis is a classic pairing with seafood, sushi or a creamy goat’s cheese, and this is no exception.
Abbotts & Delaunay Chardonnay 2023
£11
Abbotts & Delaunay produces fruit-forward wines that are incredibly easy to drink, and this 2023 Chardonnay follows in the same quaffable footsteps. 6th-generation winemaker Jeanne Delaunay, daughter of Laurent Delaunay, joined the company and assumed responsibility for Abbotts & Delaunay wines in 2023.
This Chardonnay, one of the first under her stewardship, is a light golden colour, which brings lots of orchard fruits – ripe pears and green apples – on the nose. There are floral notes on the heels of the fruit, too. Once on the palate, the fruits continue, with just the right level of acidity to bring balance to the mouthful. It’s fresh and crisp with great complexity and balance, leading to a long, satisfying finish.
Calvet Pinot Blanc Alsace 2023
£12
This pale golden Pinot Blanc from Alsace is the product of a vineyard with a dry, microclimate, where the vines are well protected by the Vosges mountains. With plenty of sunshine in both summer and autumn, the Pinot Blanc grapes ripen beautifully, retaining their fruitiness, which is evident in the wine.
On the nose, the subtle yet fresh apple and fruity peach notes combine well with floral hints that follow. The dry, fruity nature of the wine means that while the fruits aren’t overly abundant on the palate, they are refreshingly light with well-balanced acidity. The finish is long and lively, with light citrus notes that keep it interesting.
NYETimber Classic Cuvee
£42
Summer just wouldn’t be summer without some bubbles, and an English sparkling wine is just the ticket. Pale gold in colour and full of fine bubbles, NYETimber Classic Cuvee will add a little English charm to your summer soiree.
This multi-vintage sparkling wine is crafted from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes. On the nose, there’s a blend of toasted brioche and delicate spices. On the palate, lightly honeyed apples and warm pastries combine with just a hint of toasted almonds. The finish is complex and elegant, creating a sense of decadence that is perfect for celebrating a special occasion or simply the season.
Precious Day, Crémant de Bordeaux AOP
£14
Crémant is a highly affordable way of adding some bubbles to your summer wine rack. Precious Day is a blend of Semillon and Merlot grapes, grown in a clay and limestone soil. Made in traditional style, the wine is then fermented in the bottle for 12 months before disgorging, creating fine bubbles within the pale liquid.
On the nose, there are notes of lemon citrus and delicate green apples with just a touch of something floral in there, too. On the palate, the bubbles are fine and effervescent, and the light fruitiness remains — creamy brioche, honey, and hints of almond combine to round out the flavour profile. The medium finish is clean and fresh, with a hint of minerality that adds to the wine’s balanced nature.
Crémant is a great bottle that complements most foods, but is a brilliant accompaniment for a dessert on a hot summer’s day.
