10 Perfect Wines to Celebrate Summer 2024
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Summer has finally arrived! Goodbye to the darkness and cold of long winter days, and hello to sunshine, freedom, and the season of endless fun. With the arrival of the sun and warm weather comes the joy of al fresco dinners, picnics in the park, and outdoor movie nights. And what could make these moments even better? Sipping on the perfect wine while pretending we know what “notes” are beyond just “yum”!
As parents, Pedro and I find immense pleasure in the simple joys of summer. Whether it’s enjoying a glass of wine amidst the blooms while Mimi and Lou laugh and play in the garden, or embracing slow living by toasting to a breath-taking summer sunset (while hoping the girls don’t break anything), these moments are priceless.
Pedro, our in-house wine connoisseur, was recently nominated as one of the top 100 sommeliers in the UK. As a thank you, he has thoughtfully curated his 10 perfect wine picks for the Summer of 2024. So, let’s dive in and make this summer your most delightful (and least stressful) yet!
What to Look for When Choosing the Perfect Wine to Celebrate Summer
Summer calls for wines that are refreshing, easy to drink, and capable of keeping the heat at bay. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one? Here are a few key characteristics to keep in mind:
Easy to Drink
Look for wines with a medium to light body that go down smoothly. These wines are less dense, making them ideal for leisurely sipping on a warm day. Heavier, full-bodied wines can feel overwhelming in the heat, whereas lighter wines provide a refreshing experience without overwhelming your palate. Keep it chill and keep it light.
Fruity
Summer is all about those fruity vibes. Look for wines that burst with flavors of citrus, berries, and tropical fruits. It’s like a fruit salad in a glass! These fruity notes not only taste amazing but also pair perfectly with all your summer BBQs and picnics. Plus, who doesn’t love a wine that basically tastes like sunshine?
High in Acidity
High-acidity wines are your summer BFF. They’re the ones that make you go “ahhh” after every sip, kind of like the wine version of jumping into a cool pool. That crisp, fresh taste is exactly what you need when the sun’s blazing. Think of it as a little zing that keeps you refreshed and ready for more summer fun.
Low in Alcohol
When it’s hot outside, the last thing you need is a wine that makes you feel like you’re in a sauna. High-alcohol wines can make you warm and fuzzy, which is great for winter, but not so much for summer. Plus, alcohol dilates your blood vessels and can lower your blood pressure—not the best combo for those sweltering days. Stick to lower alcohol wines so you can sip all day without turning into a sweaty mess.
So, there you have it! Look for wines that are easy to drink, fruity, high in acidity, and low in alcohol, and you’ll be set for a summer of perfect sips.
10 Perfect Wines To Celebrate Summer
Sparkling
NV Brut Reserve, Lyme Bay. Devon, UK £29.43
Seyval Blanc grapes get transformed into a sparkling English wine that’s as bright and charming as a summer afternoon with friends. Thanks to a little bubbly magic called the Traditional Method, this wine gets some mid-palate pizzazz without losing its fresh citrusy zing. Think of it as a lemon and Granny Smith apple party in your mouth, wrapped in a delicate, bubbly embrace, and finishing off with a crisp, clean goodbye.
Available here
NV Brut Rosé, Graham Beck. Western Cape, South Africa £21.26
This Brut Rosé is one of South Africa’s top sparkling wines. Made with the same meticulous method as Champagne, its reasonable price means you won’t need to sell a kidney to afford it. Think of it as Champagne’s cool, laid-back cousin. It’s flirtatious and fresh, with a lively mousse that dances on the palate, showing hints of oyster shell, fresh lavender, and subtle notes of berry and cherry.
Available here
White
2020 Greco di Tufo, Feudi di San Gregorio. Campania, Italy £23
Imagine strolling through a tropical fruit market, where the air is filled with the scents of ripe apricots, juicy peaches, and sweet melons. Now, imagine all those delicious aromas packed into a glass of wine! That’s what you get with Greco di Tufo Feudi di San Gregorio. It’s like sipping on a creamy fruit smoothie, but with a sophisticated twist of refreshing minerality.
Available here
2022 Lote 3 Branco, M.O.B. . Dão, Portugal £19.50
“Pale with green glints and subtle cedar and celery salt riffs to its close-to-the-stone green mango and succulent, briny green olive fruit. Gently textured, Lote 3 has a lively backbone of persistent, lemony acidity and crystalline minerality. Sets out to refresh and so it does.”
Available here
2020 Chardonnay, Adrianna Vineyard White Stones, Catena Zapata. Mendoza, Argentina £94.97
A superstar from the lofty heights of almost 5,000 feet in the Adrianna Vineyard, Gualtallary, this Chardonnay is the ultimate overachiever. With a bright lemon yellow colour, it offers a mouth-party of pears, apples, and apricot, all mingling with hints of vanilla and nuttiness. Its acidity and finish that just won’t quit make it much more than just a pretty face, proving that Mendoza knows how to bring the flavour and the fun! The name “White Bones” is a nod to the gravelly, white stone-covered soil where these vines thrive under tough conditions—think of it as Chardonnay with a rock-solid character and a fabulous pedigree.
Available here
Rosé
2022 Alkemi, Markovitis. Naoussa, Greece £21.50
“Alkemi pays homage to the bolder, dark gastronomic rosé styles adored by Sommeliers the world over, but without the tickle of oak that these often come with. Made from the iconic Greek grape Xinomavro, this is structured and spicy with pink grapefruit and floral notes. It also has a refreshing streak of acidity which means it’s moreish and drinkable whilst still being incredibly serious.”
Available here
2023 Rosé, Maison Saint Aix. Coteaux d’Aix en Provence, France £18.99
Maison Saint Aix is perched high in the hills of Provence, where the sun basically never takes a day off—seriously, it shines for about 300 days a year! With mineral-rich soils and the natural AC of higher altitudes, it’s the perfect place to grow some primo grapes. One sip of this beauty, and you’ll feel like you’re lounging on a Mediterranean beach. It’s fresh and aromatic, with delicate hints of red berries, peach, and white flowers. Plus, it’s so elegant and refreshing that it pairs perfectly with your go-to light salads and salmon dishes.
Available here
Red
2019 Syrah, ‘Sonoma-Hillsides’, Pax. Sonoma, CA, USA £50.50
“Sonoma Hillsides” Syrah is like a love letter to the legendary St. Joseph wines of Raymond Trollat – so much so that they copied his label design (with Raymond’s thumbs-up, of course). Just like in St. Joseph, Pax mixes and matches grapes from different vineyards. In this case, it’s the best of the best: Castelli-Knight Ranch, Griffin’s Lair, and Walker Vine Hill. These vineyards are top-notch, and together, they create a wine that Pax and Pam swear is “one of our finest creations.”
Available here
2021 Ultreia Saint Jacques, Raul Perez. Bierzo, Spain £14.87
“Ultreia Saint Jacques 2021 is a fluid red wine with aromas of fresh red fruit accompanied by notes of strawberry caramel and dairy hints. On the palate, it is direct, juicy, and elegant. A wine with vibrant acidity, fine tannins, and a long and pleasant finish.”
Available here
2018 Nebbiolo, Tar & Roses. Heathcote, Australia £29.60
Now, picture a bold Aussie wine that lives up to its name: Tar and Roses. It’s got flavours of black liquorice, leather, and olive tapenade for that savoury kick, with bright cherry and cranberry fruit to keep things lively. Pair this beauty with beef oxtail, New Zealand rack of lamb with mint sauce, or a hearty beef ragu pasta with tomato sauce. Your taste buds will thank you!
Available here
So there you have it! With these 10 perfect wines in your arsenal, you’re all set to make Summer 2024 your best one yet. Whether you’re lounging in the backyard, hosting a laid-back BBQ, or catching up with friends over a sunset picnic, these wines are here to elevate every moment. And remember, you don’t have to be a sommelier to appreciate a good wine. Just grab a glass, take a sip, and if it makes you say “yum,” you’re doing it right!
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