Summertime, and the livin' is easy...

Gerschwin’s iconic ballad epitomises the lazy, hazy days of the summer vibe, regardless of our British weather. Alice Cooper’s more rebellious ‘ School’s out for Summer’ and Madonna’s early disco classic ‘ Holiday’ offer different takes on the musical theme for Summer hols – laid back, upbeat, off-beat…. Diametrically opposed styles… and it’s no different with wine.

Whatever the mood, there’s a wine to match; whether you’re going abroad or on staycation, there are wines to greet you at the end of the day, or for weekend picnics, and evening bbqs. Personally,for an early evening pick me up, I’m ever more tempted to sink into the increasingly impressive range of on-trend gins that Great Western Wine have just started to stock, but that’s for another blog

First up, let’s look at wines that work for picnics and alfresco lunches, be it at the beach, by a river, or in the garden – keep it light, keep it fresh.  What you don’t want is rich, oaky Chardonnays, and full-on, meaty reds at this time of day.  Go for crisp, refreshing wines that will keep the mood high.

Pink Fizz is never more popular than at this time of year, but go off-piste, try something new,yet still get great value for money with a lesser-known gem. Saumur Rosé NV, Domaine Brizé  (£12.95 down to £11.50 throughout August) – far better value than pink Champagne and more interesting than most other pink sparklers – from the Loire valley, deliciously fruity, bursting with ripe strawberry fruit, bone dry, with a citrus squeak, and utterly perfect for Summer – and made on a small family estate by people who nurture what they create.  Stick this bottle in a tub of ice and enjoy the glories of the beautiful Loire valley.

Keeping it light at lunchtime is important; modern style Vinho Verde is making a big comeback – squeaky clean, bone dry, and mouth-puckeringly fresh, the prettily-labelled Quinta da Lixa Vinho Verde 2015 (£8.95), with its delightfully crisp, green apple and grapefruit zestiness, and teeny touch of spritz, is the epitome of summer. And at a lowly 10.5% alcohol, it’s pretty much perfect for picnics, especially with its screwcap top.  Pack it in the hamper or rucksack in a chilled wine sleeve; for emergency chilling if you’re close to a river, take a length of string, tie the bottle to an overhanging branch and chill it down in the water!  Forget picnic sandwiches, pack up salads of feta, tomato and mint, and chargrilled prawns.

The delicately pale Cotes de Provence wines are riding the crest of a wave of popularity, and nothing is more spot on for Summer drinking. Award-winning Le Pas du Moine Chateau Gassier 2015 (£13.95) fits the bill, with its delicate, strawberry and citrus flavours, and scents of pomegranates, wild herbs and raspberries. Surprisingly creamy, with lovely depth, you can’t beat it for laid-back, alfresco entertaining, especially with seafood, Tuna Nicoise, olives and tapenade.

For those who love a glass of red at lunchtime, here’s a holiday classic:

Cerasuolo di Vittoria, Planeta 2014 (£14.05 down to £13.50 in August) –  Bright as a button, cheery, cheeky, and fun-loving, this is my go-to Alfresco lunchtime red – a Sicilian beauty, from the leading winery on the island, the revered Planeta, who have done so much to transform the reputation of Sicilian wines across the world.  Don’t expect dark and brooding, this is a wonderfully light, upbeat, zippy juicy red, bursting with ripe raspberry and red cherry scents, with a deliciously fresh, red berry fruit flavour. Chill it down and then enjoy with platters of charcuterie, Mediterranean salads, and even English style pork pies!

Happy holidays

By Angela Mount