About Time: You Discovered the Best Summer Wines 2019By Francesca Brooking
The last of the summer days are here and with temperatures soaring, what better way to spend the summer evenings than with a crisp and refreshing glass of wine? From elegant rosés to fruity white wines, and even a selection of low alcohol tipples, here are our recommendations for the best summer wines to enjoy this Summer:
1. For an Award-Winning Wine: Jacob’s Creek
What: Le Petit Rosé (£8 – prices vary)
The Lowdown: Le Petit Rosé is a new summer wine from Jacob’s Creek and it’s already gained a name for itself. Winning the prestigious Silver medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019, this Australian Rosé has been made in the style popular to Provence in the South of France. It’s elegant aromas of red fruit, spices and rose petals make this rosé a beautifully balanced and vibrant wine to enjoy the bank holiday sunshine with.
Where to Buy: Ocado, Tesco, Co-op and Amazon
2. For an English Wine: Bolney Wine Estate
What: Lychgate Bacchus (£12.99)
The Lowdown: Made by English winemakers, Bolney Wine Estate, this fresh white wine has been a people’s favourite this summer as they turn to Bacchus over Sauvignon. It’s airy notes of elderflower and gooseberry create a refreshingly balanced vintage that teases the palate and finishes with a sweet tang of pineapple and grapefruit. It’s without a doubt, one of the best summer white wines to enjoy this August bank holiday.
Where to Buy: Taurus Wines and Bolney Wine Estate
3. For an Intense Red: Apothic
What: Apothic Inferno (£13)
The Lowdown: It’s said to be getting hot this bank holiday and why not match the temperatures with a fiery glass of Apothic Inferno? Whisky lovers will adore this unique limited release. Blended with six rich and full-bodied red grapes including Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot, the Apothic Inferno has been aged in charred whisky barrels for 60 days to give it an intense flavour. Enjoy notes of maple, vanilla and charred spice to provide a long, clean finish.
Where to Buy: Sainsbury’s and Amazon
4. For a Taste of Portugal: Vinho Verde
What: Tapada de Villar Vinho Verde (£7)
The Lowdown: Bring a taste of Portugal to your summer bank holiday with this crisp and bright Vinho Verde. This white wine has a modern flavour with its blend of Loureiro, Arinto and Trajadura grapes, giving it a bright acidic kick of crunchy green apples on the tongue. Best served chilled, this refreshing wine is a perfect accompaniment to a picnic in the garden or as a light aperitif.
Where to Buy: Marks and Spencer’s
5. For an Ice Cold Refreshment: Martini
What: Martini Asti Ice (£9)
The Lowdown: Martini Asti Ice is a new sparkling wine designed to be served with ice. Offering a welcome respite from the bank holiday heatwave, this wine is bursting with flavours of fresh pear and pineapple with fruity hints of grape, melon and peach. Soft gold in colour, the Martini Asti Ice comes alive over ice and it makes for a deliciously celebratory drink to toast the last of the summer sunshine with.
Where to Buy: Asda and Ocado
Low/Non-alcoholic Wines
6. For Bubbles Without the Booze: Martini
What: Martini 0% Dolce (£6)
The Lowdown: Martini’s 0.0% Dolce means that you can still enjoy a glass of bubbly without the booze. This bold new tipple has all the excitement and flavour of sparkling wine but without the headache the next day. Lovingly created on the sun-drenched hillsides of Northern Italy, Martini uses the finest quality grapes to create a light, sweet and delicate taste with hints of apple and pear.
Where to Buy: Ocado
7. For an Alcohol-Free Chardonnay: Eisberg
What: Eisbery Alcohol-Free Chardonnay (£3.50)
The Lowdown: A perfect summer wine without the alcohol, Eisberg’s Chardonnay is fruity with notes of vanilla and crisp apple and just a hint of honey to finish. Light, sweet and refreshing, it makes for a delightful tipple to enjoy on a bank holiday afternoon with friends and there are only 28 calories in a 125ml glass!
Where to Buy: Available from supermarkets nationwide. Get 2 bottles from Morrisons for £6 now until September 3rd 2019.
8. For an Organic Booze-Free Sparkling Wine: Zera
What: Zera Alcohol-Free Organic Sparkling Chardonnay (£7.99)
The Lowdown: Zera is a non-alcoholic, vegan and organic French wine brand and their sparkling chardonnay is truly unique and utterly delicious. The wine has an authentic ‘made in France’ taste but is part of the first range of its kind to be alcohol-free and unfermented. Made using organic grapes, it’s a sparkling chardonnay with all the good stuff left in and a delightful alternative for non-drinkers.
Where to Buy: Holland & Barrett
9. For a Low Percent Rosé: Adnams
What: Adnams 0.5% Garnacha Rosé (£3.49)
The Lowdown: Transport yourself to Spain this bank holiday by indulging in Adnams 0.5% Garnacha Rosé. Lively and fresh, it has delicate summer notes of raspberry and loganberry that create a sweet and balanced tipple on the tongue. Adnams uses state of the art ‘spinning cone’ technology to make a low alcohol wine in the gentlest way possible to maintain its aromatic flavour.
Where to Buy: Adnams online
10. For a Sparkling Low Alcohol: Willow and Stone
What: Willow and Stone Sparkling Rosé (£5)
The Lowdown: Willow and Stone Sparkling Rosé is the drink you need to wind down the August bank holiday with. A beautifully refreshing and classy wine, this rosé has been crafted with an 8.5% ABV to create an easy-to-drink treat without the hangover. A balance of strawberry and raspberry flavours makes this rosé a glorious addition to the drinks cabinet at home.
Where to Buy: Co-op
