Nothing says decadent summer living like sipping on a glass of chilled wine or fizz while lounging on one’s outdoor furniture. While the weather does its typical British thing and we await more news on hosting social gatherings, we can but plan. So, if you’re looking to host the soiree to beat all previous summer shindigs (let’s face it, we need it) and you need some delightfully light white, rose and sparkling offerings, then look no further as we have you covered.
Alternatively, if you’ve grown quite accustomed to sharing a bottle of this deliciously light liquor with yourself then we have you covered too, so read on for our top summer wines for 2020.
Still
Louis Jadot Chablis 2018
The classic combination of marl and limestone soil, continental climate and Chardonnay marry together to create the unique character of this iconic crisp, steely white wine. A very nice golden yellow colour, this Chablis is a lipid, bright and fresh wine, whose taste and bouquet develop relatively quickly.
It should be served chilled, and can be enjoyed with oysters, charcuterie and fried fish. It also goes very well with goats’ cheese.
Price: £10.99 per half bottle
Where to buy: Vivino.com
Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Two parcels from the Awatere Valley were selected to create this wine. One from the estate’s coastal Seaview Vineyard and the other, more inland, from the Willow Flat Vineyard.
This Sauvignon Blanc experienced a long cool fermentation in stainless steel to capture and enhance the pure fruit flavours and the result is the perfect showcase of the wonderful typicity that the Awatere Valley is known for.
Lifted notes of white peach and passionfruit, underpinned with citrus, the palate is full with pure fruit flavours, yet balanced with a long crisp citrus finish. This wine is perfect with both fresh and cooked seafood such as oysters, prawns mussels or fish.
Price: £11.59
Where to buy: waitrose.com
Danebury Reserve 2018
Danebury is a family-owned award-winning boutique English sparkling and still wine producer, located on a stunning private estate in Stockbridge, Hampshire. Seven acres of beautiful vineyards produce three white wines and a sparkling brut of exceptional quality; Madeleine Angevine, Schönburger, Reserve and Cossack Brut.
All the wines have consistently won awards, but this Danebury Reserve 2018 has achieved a Gold medal and Best Wine by the Glass in the English still wine category at the SWA Awards – the ultimate accolade and recognition.
Danebury Reserve 2018 is a delicious dry white wine made from the four grape varietals grown at the Vineyard and is aromatic with a lifted bouquet, with aromas of honeysuckle, magnolia and orange blossom on the nose. Ripe peach and nectarine characters carry through on the palate and the finish is fresh and fruitful.
Price: £13.50
Where to buy: danebury.com
STILL by Hattingley 2019 Rosé
A light and elegant wine, the brand new STILL Rosé has a pink salmon colour and aromas of fresh red fruits and creamy notes that follow through to the palate. Dry and smooth, with delicate yet vibrant acidity, this wine is made from 100% Pinot Précoce grapes, hand-picked and whole-bunched pressed very slowly to allow the colour to ‘bleed’ from the skins.
This wine is best enjoyed with an Asian prawn salad, grilled meats and seafood or those coveted barbecues with friends.
Price: £14
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Bodegas Amaren Rioja Blanco Vintage 2017
Bodegas Amaren is a project created by Rioja top dog, Luis Canas, to produce wines with maximum expression of the grape variety in honour of his mother, Angeles. The wines are made from fruit grown in challenging conditions, and in their struggle toward ripeness they pick up the full potential of aroma and flavour that the variety is capable of.
Winemaker, Fidel Fernández Góme describes it as: “Straw-yellow in colour. High aromatic intensity, blended nuances of syrup fruit and cake. In the mouth it is smooth and rounded, with a high complexity of citric flavours (lemon peel), hints of pineapple, pipe tobacco and aromatic plants with a mineral and extremely elegant finish.”
Price: £18
Where to buy: virginwines.co.uk
Louis Moreau Chablis 1er Cru Vaulignot Vintage 2017
If you want the real deal, there’s no point buying the cheap supermarket Chablis. Frankly, you’re better off with a good, basic Bourgogne Blanc. Instead, buy from a great area and a great producer, and you’ll find that it’s money well spent.
This classic Chablis has all the minerality and wonderfully intense flavours that you would expect from a Premier Cru. Described by Chablis authority Andrew Jefford as “a domaine to follow”, this wine, from the 6th generation of the Moreau ‘dynasty’, is robust, rich and intensely fresh.
Price: £19.99
Where to buy: virginwines.co.uk
Domaine Baumard Savennières Clos St Yves Vintage 2017
In a deeply traditional region, winemaker Florent’s choice of screwcaps and a different vine trellising system marked him out as unconventional. Yet today, Domaine Baumard is one of the most famous producers within the Loire.
This Savennières from the famous vineyards of Clos St Yves is rich, with a balance and charm that is unrivalled. It is a wine full of paradox: honeyed and yet dry, rounded and yet firm. The rich fruit, tremendous weight and concentration ensure that it is a truly unforgettable experience. Try this alongside grilled fish, seafood, salads or slightly spicy dishes.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: virginwines.co.uk
Tillingham Qvevri Dharc
This wine is fermented both in a Qvevri, a traditional Georgian fermentation vessel, as well as in oak, resulting in an earthy, yet fresh wine with incredible depth.
Saline and citrus mingle with a nutty twist on the nose, slightly grippy on the palate from the Qvevri influence leading into a slightly buttery, rounded finish from the oak barrels. Taut acidity, reminiscent of Chablis of a bygone era.
Fermented and bottled in East Sussex, the wine is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians and will benefit from extended bottle age of five to 10 years.
Price: £35
Where to buy: rebelliousgoods.com
Sparkling
Sharpham Sparkling Pink 2016
Voted the best UK Traditional Method Sparkling Wine at the prestigious international competition Bollicini del Mondo in Italy earlier this year, this stunning wine is 100% Pinot Noir from grapes grown at Sharpham Wine’s sister vineyard, Sandridge Barton, situated on the left bank of the River Dart.
Crisp and delicate with aromas of fresh strawberry, tart raspberry and some floral notes, this wine pairs well with charcuterie, prawns, salmon or goat’s cheese. The palate is vibrant and fruity showing great balance and complexity.
Price: £27
Where to buy: sharpham.com
Digby Fine English Brut Vintage NV
Digby’s Non-Vintage Brut is a gloriously relaxed rendition of its racy yet elegant house style, made with the three traditional Champagne grape varieties. It has Pinot Noir at its core, providing a round, rich, open heart, with fruity Pinot Meunier and South East England’s taut, mineral-driven Chardonnay adding finesse.
It’s a blend for love, adventure and fun and is a perfect all-rounder, but make no mistake, each bottle is made with passion to the Fine English standard, to represent the best of England to the world of fizz enthusiasts.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: virginwines.co.uk
Classic Reserve by Hattingley
Classic Reserve is pale gold in colour with delicate and fine long-lasting bubbles. The beautifully complex bouquet combines aromas of green apples with creamy nougat, freshly baked brioche and delicate toasted notes from ageing in bottle. On the palate the complexity continues with notes of soft lemon sherbet, biscuit and a subtle oak character.
Refreshing and perfectly balanced, with a delightful long finish, this is the perfect aperitif or celebration drink, it is the flawless accompaniment to any party, enjoyed with any canapé.
Price: £30
Where to buy: hattingleyvalley.com
Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV
Known by its peers and amongst the world’s top wine critics for its exceptional quality, Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV is multi-award winning, vegetarian and vegan, and made to the highest standard by respected Chef de Cave, Elisabeth Sarcelet who has been creating this superb Champagne range for more than 30 years.
The signature for Champagne Castelnau Brut Réserve NV is a full and flavoursome style, balanced with crisp, refreshing acidity and a clean, pitch-perfect finish. Its contemporary, understated packaging is the perfect complement to any table setting, from light snacks to a more formal meal.
Price: £29.50
Where to buy: thewinesociety.com
Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur Vintage NV
Champagne Ayala founded in 1860 has had an up and down existence, never quite reaching the heights of some of the great Grand Marques, but always a very good second. It fell into a period of quietness after WW2 but was given a new lease of life in 2005 when the Bollinger family purchased the estate and set about a full renovation of the winery.
Today they have come full circle, if you like, returning to what they always did best. Producing drier styles of top-class Champagne, with the aim to bring back the true glory days of the 1920s. With just 15 staff running things, this is a truly boutique house producing exceptional and intriguing fizz.
Price: £35
Where to buy: virginwines.co.uk
Champagne Bruno Paillard Premiere Cuvee MV XB
Maison Bruno Paillard is an independent, family-owned house, with exceptional vineyards located in the heart of the Champagne region. Its Première Cuvée – a very personal interpretation of the whole Champagne region – is an assemblage of 35 crus, of three grape varieties (Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier) and of vintages dating back to 1985. Stylistically, it is very pure and harmonious with mineral notes and layers of complexity.
Price: £40-£45
Where to buy: thewhiskyexchange.com
