19th August 2024 | Top Drops | 5 minute read
A single sip of wine can take you right back to salty sea air, sand between your toes and golden sunsets. The best summer wines conjure up fond memories and offer a taste of your travels, so let’s dive in and explore the dreamiest drops from sun-soaked destinations.
Lots of fabulous choices from this part of the world and, of course, most are refreshing rosés. The oldest wine producing region in France with plenty of Riviera romance, Provence is blessed with a warm, sun-drenched climate that’s ideal for glamourous getaways and growing grapes. Over 80% of all wine made here is pink, which is why this dry and delicate style of rosé reminds us so vividly of the South of France.
Perhaps one of the most popular Provencal pinks and best summer wines of all time, and we can see why.
This is a classic pale pink style that’s been expertly blended using key local grape varieties that focus predominately on Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle (Vermentino) from old vines grown in the La Motte area.
Offering a wonderful purity, it delights with elegant red fruit character, delicate floral notes and just a little touch of citrus freshness. The profile is dry with any sweetness coming through having a soft, natural feel, plus there’s a generosity and roundness that fills the mouth before a crisp, moreish finish takes over.
Served super chilled is when it really shines, so load up that ice bucket and get ready to reminisce about trips to the South of France gone by.
From the colourful streets of Lisbon to the fairytale-like castles of Sintra and stunning sea caves of the Algarve, there are many sights to savour in Portugal. Perhaps a direct result of Brits holidaying there a lot, we’re starting to see more and more premium Portuguese wines hit our shores, usually made from native grapes and blends we wouldn’t ordinarily see at home. As the country’s second largest wine producing area with over 30 different grape types growing across its vineyards, Lisbon is our recommended region for wines that’ll remind you of your travels.
It’s not easy picking a favourite from the Mar Lindo collection, but we’re opting for their tropical fruit-filled white.
This is an authentic Portuguese Sauvignon blend that’s been masterfully handcrafted by award-winning winemaker Diogo Lopes. It offers a deliciously composed palate of tropical fruit brightness complemented by a salty seaside freshness.
The abundant fruit has grapefruit at its core, giving this clean, fresh and minerally white a subtle zingy edge. The zest and saline, maritime finish come together to make it a great match for seafood.
Soak up and savour every last drop of this coastal treasure and enjoy its Lisbon-inspired label.
Such a vast area covering so many beauty spots, but good food and glorious weather is what ties it all together. Whether it’s tranquil canals, coastal lagoons or island hopping, Mediterranean holiday destinations tend to be influenced by water, even through the type of cuisine and wine produced in these regions. Think easy-drinking wines that pair harmoniously with flavours of the ocean.
This joyous and juicy pink will have you daydreaming of French harbours, Italian lakes and Greek fishing villages with one look at its label.
A raspberry fruit-filled rosé with a lively texture that dances across your palate and finishes with a crisp, minerally kick, it has all the right ingredients to keep you refreshed as you snack away on a hot summer’s day.
Light and deliciously drinkable, this French blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cinsault pairs wonderfully with light summer salads, grilled fish and fresh shellfish.
So, pour yourself a glass of this a let your mind drift away to glistening sea views.
Sun and sangria spring to mind when we look back on Spanish getaways. Whether you have fond memories of food-filled city breaks or relaxing on a sun lounger, a glass of the good stuff usually makes an appearance. Being home to the Rioja region, of course, Spanish reds are absolutely iconic, and the best summer wines to sip alongside paella and tapas. To transport your taste buds to Spain, it’s got to be red all the way.
Say hello to a beautifully uncomplicated red from the sunny climes of Jumilla in Spain.
Boasting ripe red berries, black cherry and plum on a medium-weight, juicy palate, this Tempranillo blend really shows off the sunshine of the region it’s from. Winemaker Juan Miguel Benitez has done a sensational job in encouraging ripe fruit flavours to develop in the ample sunlight without also gaining the high alcohol content that usually comes with it.
Incredibly versatile, you can serve this fruity red as an aperitif, pair it with pizza and pasta or even make it the star ingredient in your homemade sangria.
If you fancy recreating your favourite red wine cocktail, check out our authentic Spanish sangria recipe that features this exact wine.
Now, this really is bottled sunshine. Australia has so much to offer, from the mesmerising Turquoise Bay along the Coral Coast to the famous golden sands of Bondi Beach. Whether you’ve ventured to that side of the world or plan to one day, you can enjoy a drop of Aussie sun in your wine glass at home by cracking open a bottle from one of its coastal wine regions.
The latest addition to one of our bestselling wine collections of all time, The Black Pig. In fact, it’s already been coined the pinnacle of the range, made from the very best vineyard sites the Margaret River has to offer.
Cleverly crafted by our customer-favourite winemaker, Steve Grimley, this is an epically good West Australian rosé that’s full of red fruit with a satisfying savoury tang.
Expect a lively mix of red fruits on the nose followed by a pleasing palate of pomegranate, raspberry and ripe watermelon.
It makes a fine partner for your summer salads and grilled chicken, and has enough depth to handle spicy Asian-inspired noodles. Definitely one to reach for if you’re after sunshine in a glass.
