Summer is here and with it comes the smells of freshly-cut grass and smoking barbecues in the air, with the odd sound of a bottle cork popping to indicate some good times being enjoyed in the long-awaited sun.
Punctuated by days at the beach, garden get-togethers and festivals galore, summer is about getting outside and getting together, wherever that may be, and we couldn’t think of a better accompaniment to these outdoor soirees than a bottle of wine, sparkling or not, alcoholic or not.
Read on for our finest summer picks and start prepping those picnics, parties and posh dinners now.
White and rosé
Tesco Finest Rioja Blanco
This fresh and modern style white Rioja is made from Viura and Tempranillo Blanco grapes and matured on fine lees by the award-winning Barón de Ley. A generous palate of floral and exotic fruit flavours finishes with a subtle hint of spice. Enjoy with seafood paella, roast chicken or Spanish style salads.
Price: £9
Where to buy: tesco.com
Dark Horse Chardonnay
Dark Horse Chardonnay is a rich Californian Chardonnay with notes of apple and ripe stone fruit, layered with toasted oak. A glass of this crisp Chardonnay is the perfect partner for a serving of smashed avocado with halloumi or to complement a creamy curry.
Price: £9.49
Where to buy: tesco.com
Three Choirs Vineyard, Coleridge Hill
This is a crisp, refreshing wine with distinctly English hedgerow aromas and hints of crisp apple, fragrant elderflower and freshly cut grass. The ripe fruit flavours, balanced acidity and subtle residual sugar combine to create a refreshing wine, perfect on its own or with fish dishes.
Price: £10.99
Where to buy: three-choirs-vineyards.co.uk
Emma Marris Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Emma Marris is the third generation of the family to be producing wine in New Zealand. Assisting her father, Brent Marris with the production of the award-winning The Ned and The King’s Series, Emma has now crafted her own Sauvignon Blanc. Exposed to wine throughout her life surrounded by family oenologists, with Bachelor in viticulture and global wine production experience, Emma’s wines are made meticulously for a true Sauvignon Blanc connoisseur.
Long sunny days and cold nights are the epitome of Marlborough, which you can taste in this wine; a 100% Sauvignon Blanc sourced from the family owned Leefield Station vineyard.
Price: £11.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Fat Crush
Fat Crush is the new uncomplicated, ethically sourced, and well-balanced white wine for the not-so-sure wine connoisseur. Offering premium taste, Fat Crush presents notes of peach, pears and white flowers, the ideal tipple for a spring soiree with friends and family. Made from juicy unoaked Chardonnay and Viognier grapes in the French region of Languedoc, Fat Crush is the perfect all-rounder for any occasion.
A glass of Fat Crush is a great accompaniment to fish dishes, rich meats, cheese boards and, of course, good conversation. With a unique design that showcases the quirkiness of Fat Crush, a bottle would not look out of place at the dinner table.
Price: £12.95
Where to buy: fatcrush.co.uk
Sea Change Pinot Grigio 2021
Sea Change Pinot Grigio is a wonderful example of this popular grape variety from Northern Italy, famed for its bright citrus flavours, zippy acidity and refreshing minerality. It is full of bright citrus fruit: the zest of ripe lemons is married with the delicate floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom. The wine’s lively acidity and underlying minerality make it mouth-wateringly moreish.
By purchasing this Sea Change Pinot Grigio, you are directly helping organisations like Clean Coasts in Ireland fund community programmes that mitigate human impact to protect and care for our waterways, coastline and marine life.
Price: £12.99
Where to buy: seachangewine.com
Tesco Finest North Row Sauvignon Blanc
Sourced from Villa Maria’s vineyards in the cool Marlborough region of New Zealand, this crisp, dry wine is a classic example of a concentrated and vibrant Sauvignon Blanc displaying powerful aromas and a lengthy finish. Serve chilled with simple fresh seafood dishes or garden salads.
Price: £13
Where to buy: tesco.com
Chapel Down Bacchus White Wine
Chapel Down is England’s leading wine producer with an award-winning range of sparkling and still wines. Based in Kent, in the heart of the Garden of England, it produces wines of the highest quality aimed at offering the best expression of England.
If you’re looking for a refreshing change from your everyday white wine, Chapel Down’s Bacchus White Wine is the perfect choice. Having gained recognition as one of England’s top still wines and Chapel Down’s best-selling white, this fragrant wine is crisp and refreshing, with a nose full of gooseberry, elderflower and melon notes. An unbeatable choice for all occasions.
Price: £15.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve 2022
Sharpham may be transitioning to Sandridge Barton – The Home of Sharpham, following its move to new premises, but make no mistake, the same delightful nectar resides within these bottles.
The popular Sharpham Dart Valley Reserve is ripe and fruit driven, and has a rich profile. Made from Madeleine Angevine, drinkers can expect yellow apple, lemon thyme and stone fruits, such as white peach, dominating the nose, while the palate is rounded with sweet apricot and a subtle spice on the finish.
This is Sharpham’s largest production wine of about 20,000 bottles per year and consists of a blend of free run and pressed juice fermented in stainless steel tanks with a small proportion having French oak contact before being carefully blended. Pair this award-winning and easy-to-drink wine with chicken or seafood salads, light tapas dishes and paella.
Price: £16
Where to buy: sandridgebarton.com
Chapel Down English Rosé 2022
A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Rondo, Regent and Early Pinot Noir grapes, Chapel Down English Rosé 2022 has been produced to appeal to a broad range of tastes. A delicate wine, it displays aromas of strawberries and cream, redcurrants and floral notes on the palate and boasts a crisp, refreshing finish.
Fruit is sourced from vineyards in Kent, East Sussex and Essex and grapes are grown predominantly on single and double guyot pruning systems, on varied soils including, chalk, clay, and loam soils. Fruit is whole bunch pressed with the majority of colour coming from the early Pinot Noir, Rondo, and Regent rather than from skin maceration. This gives a light, smooth characteristic to the wine. Cool fermentation and early clarification also help with the light, effortless style.
Price: £17.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Red
M. Chapoutier Côtes-du-Rhône Villages 2020
M. Chapoutier, founded in 1808, is one of the oldest companies in the Rhône Valley and cultivates its vines respecting the balance of nature. In its southern reaches, the Côtes du Rhône Villages wine region spreads across the Rhône’s terraces and alluvial plains, not to mention the slopes of various hills, atop which so many small villages are perched.
Expect to find a juicy Côtes du Rhône here with notes of ripe black cherry, herbs and a kick of peppery spice.
Price: £10
Where to buy: tesco.com
Journey’s End Bluegum Merlot 2021
Mineral rich, granite soils, cool coastal breezes, and long sunny days have played their part in delivering healthy concentrated berries, handpicked and carefully selected to provide the perfect foundation for this wine. This South African wine is an elegant, soft, fruit driven wine that will drink well now with added cellaring potential of five to 10 years.
Price: £11
Where to buy: sainsburys.co.uk
CVNE Bela, Ribera del Duero 2021
This wine has a high intensity cherry-red cherry colour with purple notes in the boarder. There’s aromatic complexity where you’ll find floral notes and red fruit such as currant and raspberry, all softened and complemented by fine notes of sweet spices and the nuances of the wood from the barrel (vanilla and clove). It is a wine of passage marked by a tasty tannin and with personality, the end of mouth takes us to a long and fruity aftertaste with a final minerality that confers elegance and finesse.
Price: £14.40
Where to buy: noblegrape.co.uk
Zuccardi Serie A Malbec Tempranillo 2021
Have you tried a blend of Malbec and Tempranillo before? If you haven’t, then when you taste this, you’ll be glad you did. It’s full-bodied, yet remarkably elegant, with notes of black fruit and plum, and fine tannins. This wine makes for an excellent pairing with steak.
Price: £14.99
Where to buy: majestic.co.uk
Villa Maria, Private Bin Pinot Noir 2020
A savoury Pinot Noir style with a lively personality, this wine expresses hints of red cherries on the nose, along with baking spices such as clove and cinnamon. On the palate, fruit flavours of cranberries and goji berries are intermingled with freshly roasted coffee beans and soft cocoa-like tannins.
Price: £15
Where to buy: tesco.com
Faustino Gran Reserva
This is the flagship wine from Faustino, the largest vineyard owner in Rioja committed to the traditional style of the region’s wines. As a leader in Gran Reserva wines in the Rioja region, it produces the world’s most select Rioja wines.
The nose is complex and elegant, with fruity and spicy notes and the wine pairs perfectly with red meat, while also being a great accompaniment for a cheese board, specifically medium-aged cheeses like Emmental or Gruyère.
Price: £17
Where to buy: tesco.com
Domaine Bousquet’s Gaia Organic Red Blend
Domaine Bousquet is Argentina’s leading organic winery. Its Gaia Organic Red Blend pays tribute to the Ancient Greek Earth Goddess, Gaia, who features on the label and acknowledges the fundamental role the earth plays in winemaking. The grapes (Malbec, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon) are 100% estate grown and sourced from the high altitude Gualtallary Valley in Tupungato, a sub-region of Mendoza’s Uco Valley. The fruit is harvested by hand and the wine is aged in French oak for 10 months. This wine will make a delicious pairing with summertime barbecues and it can be lightly chilled.
Price: £17.95
Where to buy: vintageroots.co.uk
Clos du Vieux Bourg ‘Croix Penet’ Régnié 2021, Beaujolais
This newcomer to the Beaujolais Cru family has got a lot to offer as its favourable geographical location, in between its two brothers, Brouilly and Morgon, produces wines of a unique fruitiness.
The colour in the glass is a deep ruby red, while the nose bursts forwards with aromas of wild strawberries, cherries and redcurrants. The palate has well balanced acidity, gentle tannins and a hint of minerality, while the flavours are of red summer fruits with an enticing spicy note and the finish is very long.
This makes a wonderful picnic wine or, for something more formal, pair with seafood paella.
Price: £18.50
Where to buy: wickhamwine.co.uk
Esporão Reserva Organic Red 2020
The diversity of Herdade do Esporão, together with the different characteristics of the grape varieties, the soils, the maturity of the vines and the character of those who make this wine consistently over the years, results in a rich, intense but always harmonious wine.
Expect complex notes of black fruit jam with spices, like black pepper and cloves, combined with notes of coffee, berries and cigars. On the palate there are notes of spices and dark chocolate, with good structure and a lingering finish.
Price: £22.30
Where to buy: islingtonwine.co.uk
Sharpham Pinot Noir 2021
Sharpham Pinot Noir 2021 has quickly become one of Sandridge Barton’s best-sellers. Expect bright aromas of wild strawberry, dark cherry and cranberry with a hint of baking spice, a rounded and delicate palate with a redcurrant acidity, fine tannins and spice on the finish.
This wine is drinking well in its youth but those with patience will reap the rewards a few years down the line. Production is limited due to the challenges that come with growing red grapes in a cool climate, so it’s only available while stocks last.
Price: £26
Where to buy: sandridgebarton.com
Sparkling
Faustino Cava Brut Reserva
Faustino is the largest vineyard owner in Rioja with more than 160 years of family winemaking history and 650 hectares of vineyards which offer a chalky-clay soil and an optimum microclimate.
This special Cava is a sparkling wine with a clean, bright, pale yellow colour and gold rim. The nose is warm and fruity, with hints of white fruit, honey, apple and floral notes. It pairs well with salted fish and other seafood dishes, along with baked potatoes and mushrooms or you could conclude your meal with a glass of Cava and strong flavoured cheese.
Price: £13
Where to buy: ocado.com
Silverhand Estate, Silver Reign
This debut release is a reflection of the regal heritage, involving King Ludd’s pioneering legacy to bring the unique terroir of the Garden of England to life, producing England’s finest sparkling wines. Timeless and elegant, refreshing and bubbly, Silver Reign is the sparkling wine you will be sipping all summer long.
Silver Reign comes from organically cultivated vines and is made using the Charmat method, a winemaking process ideally suited to producing light, fresh sparkling wines. A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, this is a delightful English sparkling wine filled with delicate aromas of elderflower, white hedgerow flowers, pear and apricot. A fine mousse leads to a refreshing finish with lingering flavours of citrus and ripe stone fruit. It is also suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
Light and fruity, it’s less sweet than its sparkling counterparts Prosecco, Cava and Crémant.
Price: £17
Where to buy: thewinecaverns.co.uk
Sea Change Prosecco
Sea Change Prosecco heralds from the Veneto region in north-eastern Italy and is made from the Glera grape variety. Crisp yet delicate with aromas of peach and pear, it’s a delightfully light-bodied wine with a refreshing and delicious lingering finish.
By purchasing a bottle of Sea Change Prosecco you’ll be helping to fund vital research and supporting our charity partner behind the film ‘A Plastic Ocean’, named by Sir David Attenborough as ‘one of the most important films of our time’ which has ignited mass consumer awareness around the globe.
Price: £18.99
Where to buy: seachangewine.com
Journey’s End Cap Classique NV
Made in the same way as champagne, Journey’s End Cap Classique offers some of the best value quality fizz around. Crisp and clean with zesty citrus acidity running throughout this is a super refreshing and pleasing sparkling wine. Perfect as an aperitif though it would also make a good pairing with shellfish and sushi.
Price: £22.50
Where to buy: noblegreenwines.co.uk
Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne
This Champagne is made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes wand has had extra long ageing in bottle. This extra maturation makes for elegant flavours of citrus, green apple and brioche with a fine mousse. Serve with canapes or the British classic of fish and chips.
Price: £25
Where to buy: tesco.com
Wessman One Brut Rosé
Champagne Wessman One is for people who are looking for an authentic, intense rosé champagne. The exceptional qualities of this genuine brut rosé will surpass the expectations of even the hardest to please champagne enthusiast. Not for the timid, this AOP brut rosé is crafted from a blend of 55% Pinot Noir, from Aÿ 100% Cru village, and 45% Chardonnay from Côte des Blancs. The two terroirs ensure the excellent balance between the freshness and sugar. Winner of multiple awards, Champagne Wessman One is a quintessential brut rosé with exceptional complexity, purity and freshness for a memorable taste experience.
Its intense and gleaming salmon-pink colour is adorned with warm copper-coloured reflections. The wine reveals a great aromatic softness characterised by fruity and gourmet notes. Intense, pure, and elegant, Wessman One owes its perfection to the subtlety of its bubbles and the perfect balance between notes of red fruits and shades of citrus fruits. Flawlessness, subtlety, and length on the palate allow this cuvée to position itself among the greatest champagnes.
Price: €32 (£28)
Where to buy: maisonwessman-wines.com
Chapel Down Brut NV
This provides yet another example of why English Sparkling Wine should now be taken very seriously indeed, and why it is a superb alternative to Champagne.
Chapel Down’s non-vintage English Sparkling Wine offers fresh citrus flavours which mingle with hints of strawberry and quince. Delicate bubbling ensures the flavours are not lost in the fizz either – no wonder it received a Silver Award in the 2021 Decanter World Wine Awards.
Price: £27.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Everflyht Brut NV
The Everflyht Brut NV reflects the current estate’s planting which combines Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Meunier; hand-picked from their single estate vineyard and created in a low intervention method while using steel tanks and new and old oak to bring the best from each variety and block. Fresh and generous complexity in style, this traditional method wine has been aged for 20 months on the lees bringing a robust depth with a lasting elegance to the wine.
Price: £28
Where to buy: everflyht.com
Hambledon Classic Cuvee English Sparkling Wine
The signature Hambledon Classic Cuvée is produced exclusively from Hambledon’s own estate on the Southeast facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.
A blend of 52% Chardonnay, 32% Pinot Noir and 17 % Pinot Meunier, it is vibrant, with structured yet ripe acidity and tasting will elegantly unfold to reveal layers of floral and stone fruit aromas.
Hambledon is England’s oldest commercial vineyard, established in 1952. Ian Kellett acquired Hambledon Vineyard in 1999 with a view to restoring it to its former glory and research convinced him that the site was perfectly suited to the production of sparkling wines. The Newhaven chalk on which the vines grow was formed on the seabed of the Paris basin some 65 million years ago and is found in the best Chardonnay areas of the Côtes des Blancs in Champagne.
Price: £29.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
M&S Collection Hattingley Valley English Sparkling Brut
Award-winning Hampshire winery, Hattingley Valley, and retailer M&S, have teamed up to bring some quintessentially British sparkle to the summer with the new M&S Collection Hattingley Valley English Sparkling Brut, created as part of the M&S Collection range.
Family-owned Hattingley Valley specialises in premium sparkling and still English wines, using grapes grown on-site and from vineyards across the South of England. Made from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir Precoce grapes, sourced from some of finest chalk vineyards in sunny Southern England, this delicate sparkling wine is elegant bronze gold in colour, and quality, with a fine mousse.
On the nose, soft, sweet and citrusy aromas of nougat, orange peel and pears are present, whilst on the palate apple and pear notes are contrasted with richer hints of caramel and biscuit.
Price: £30 or £180 for six
Where to buy: marksandspencer.com
M&S Collection St. Gall Champagne 1er Cru Rose
This is a delicate rosé Champagne crafted by the dedicated wine growers of Union Champagne from their Premier Cru vineyards in the Cote Des Blanc and Montagne De Reims.
Chef de Cave Cédric Jacopin uses only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to produce this elegant Champagne with its coral hue, fine persistent mousse, hints of brioche, cherry and wild strawberries.
Price: £30 or £180 for six
Where to buy: marksandspencer.com
Luc Belaire Luxe
Luc Belaire began in 1898 in Burgundy and combines grapes of rare quality with craftmanship that can only be found at a family-operated winery like theirs. This ‘Luxe’ bottle has a slightly more premium touch, making it perfect for popping during celebrations and the sparkling wine inside balances subtle sweetness with a crisp, refreshing, fruit-forward taste profile.
Price: £32.99
Where to buy: selfridges.com
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage
Nyetimber’s signature sparkling wine – intense yet delicate, elegant yet complex – has consistently been crowned one of the best English sparkling wines.
Based in West Sussex, Hampshire, Nyetimber’s vineyards share similar characteristics with the best sparkling wine vineyards in the world. Greensand and chalk soils allow its vines, in each of its separate sites, to flourish across the south of England. The climate allows for the slow ripening of the grapes and for optimum levels of ripeness and acidity, as well as the complexity and finesse for which its exquisite wines are renowned.
The Classic Cuvee Multi-Vintage is a blend of Nyetimber’s three classic grape varieties – Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. This blend results in a sparkling wine that is full of flavour, with hints of citrus and white flowers, and a lovely creamy texture. It’s the perfect sparkling wine to enjoy on its own, or with some delicious seafood dishes.
Price: £33.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Cottonworth Rose English Sparkling Wine
Cottonworth Rosé English Sparkling Wine is a refreshing blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Precoce, which come together to produce a magnificent display of red summer fruit aromas beautifully balanced on a subtle backdrop of vanilla.
Located in the heart of the Test Valley in Hampshire, Cottonworth is home to the Liddell family who have been farming there for four generations. The south facing slopes, chalk soil and temperate microclimate ensure the best conditions for growing grapes of exceptional quality. The family uses the traditional method and are focused on producing high quality English sparkling wine from the three classic varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Price: £33.99
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Searcys English Sparkling Wine
Switch the champagne for English bubbles with Searcys’s own English sparkling wine, made in partnership with the award-winning Greyfriars Vineyard. Experts in all things fizz, sip away on this crisp and vibrant wine, created from a blend of three grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, handpicked from the 40-acre vineyard and sustainably produced using the traditional method, aging in cellars for over four years.
Each bottle comes with its own personalised message, plus the option to upgrade to a giftset with two signature Champagne flutes for £59.
Price: £35
Where to buy: gifts.searcys.co.uk
Ridgeview Cavendish
If you’re looking for a mid-week summer treat, Ridgeview’s Cavendish is a beautiful golden sparkling wine, rich with red berry, honey, and biscuit aromas. The pinot dominance brings depth, while Chardonnay offers a balanced finesse. Enjoy on its own or pair with duck, trout or charcuterie.
Price: £36
Where to buy: ridgeview.co.uk
Champagne PIAFF Brut NV
The Mansard family has been making Champagne from estate grapes since 1901, with the first bottling produced by current head winemaker Maxime Mansard’s grandfather Bennoni Mansard, who was working with 10 hectares of vines at the time. Champagne PIAFF now has 24 hectares of estate vineyards, but also purchases around 20% of its grapes from local, trusted growers in the Vallée de la Marne. Maxime describes the ‘Mansard style’ as textural, finessed and elegant.
Made up of 35% Pinot Noir, 35% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Meunier from the chalk vineyards of Vallée de la Marne, this has been described as: “an explosion of intensity yet elegant and refined with beautiful mineral hints reminiscent of sea water” by Matteo Furlan, head sommelier at The Ritz.
Price: £41.60
Where to buy: amathusdrinks.com
Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2014
The Nyetimber Blanc de Blancs 2014 is a stunning example of this style of sparkling wine. Made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, it has lovely citrus and white peach aromas, with a touch of minerality. The palate is fresh and crisp, with more citrus and white peach flavours, along with a hint of lemon zest. It’s a beautifully balanced wine with excellent acidity, and it has a long, elegant finish.
Price: £43.49
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Sandridge Barton ‘Blanc de Noirs’
Known for its commitment to producing exceptional English wines, Sandridge Barton, the home of Sharpham Wine, has introduced the first wines under the label of its new location near Stoke Gabriel, in South Devon. Set in a south-facing bowl overlooking the River Dart, Sandridge Barton’s vineyards are planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Meunier, Madeleine Angevine, Bacchus, Pinot Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.
Duncan Schwab, CEO and head winemaker at Sandridge Barton, said: “This bottling run is part of our Sandridge Barton range, for wines we believe are truly unique. Sandridge Barton ‘Blanc de Noirs’ is the first to be released and is made with Pinot Noir fruit harvested in 2020. It’s a cracking wine and we are extremely proud to receive a Master Medal and are delighted to introduce it to our range of English wines, which has now grown to over 15 wines.”
Golden in colour, with an inviting rich nose with good autolysis, expect clean fresh fruit with a lime, gooseberry and raspberry palate and a ripe balanced finish.
Price: £44
Where to buy: sandridgebarton.com
Hambledon Première Cuvée English Sparkling Wine
Award-winning, the Hambledon Première Cuvée is produced exclusively from Hambledon’s own estate on the Southeast facing chalk slopes of Windmill Down, in the historic village of Hambledon.
A blend of 67% Chardonnay, 11% Pinot Noir and 22% Pinot Meunier, mostly from the 2014 harvest, with barrel-aged reserve wines, it is aged at least 62 months on the lees. Tasting will reveal sweet notes of ripe yellow and white summer fruits, followed by buttery pastry aromas, delivering a creamy yet elegant texture.
Price: £49.59
Where to buy: thebottleclub.com
Ridgeview Sparkling Red Reserve
If it’s alternative reds you’re looking for, why not shake things up this summer with a sparkling one?
The Ridgeview Sparkling Red Reserve is made from the finest hand-picked pinot grapes, fermented on their skins. A rich, ruby red in colour with delicate aromas of cherry and vanilla, there are pomegranate and forest fruits on the palate. With red supposedly the perfect barbecue pairing, this sparkling red could be the perfect summer serve.
Price: £55
Where to buy: ridgeview.co.uk
Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs 2018 edition
The new limited Blanc de Blancs release is made exclusively from the finest Chardonnay vines grown in the third generation Ditchling vineyard in 2018. With at least four years on lees to bring the full depth of complexity, it is the perfect sparkling wine to toast summer celebrations.
Price: £75
Where to buy: Available to pre-order from ridgeview.co.uk
Champagne Charles Orban, Cuveé Roger Daltrey
The Champagne Charles Orban, Cuveé Roger Daltrey is a collaboration between Roger Daltrey and Eminent Wines, introduced to celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary, and is known affectionately as the official Champagne of Rock’ n’ Roll.
Representing the perfect expression of the three grape varieties used in Champagne (Champagne 40%, Pinot Noir 45% and Pinot Meunier 15%), expect a creamy texture with fine, lively bubbles and a powerful and structured palate. This Champagne is a rich gold in colour with a delicate nose dominated by citrus fruit with hints of fudge and brioche aromas, subtle notes of honey and pine nuts.
Price: £95
Where to buy: eminentwines.com
Comte de Monte-Carlo Beau-Rivage Rosé Premier Cru Champagne
Comte de Monte-Carlo’s delicious new rosé Premier Cru Champagne, Beau-Rivage, is a fresh, balanced and sweet wine that invokes the sunshine of the French Rivera with every sip. The name, which translates into English as beautiful coastline, is an homage to beauty of the landscape that surrounds the globally-famous Principality that the brand calls home. The champagne from the terroir of Montagne de Reims is created from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes to create a round and fresh taste that has notes of strawberry. This makes it the perfect Champagne to pair with a fruit salad or an appetiser on warm summer evenings.
Price: €21.80
Where to buy: comtedemontecarlo.com
M&S Collection St. Gall Champagne 1er Cru Brut
A delicate Champagne expertly crafted by the dedicated wine growers of Union Champagne from their Premier Cru vineyards in the Cote Des Blanc and Montagne De Reims. The Chef de Cave, Cédric Jacopin, uses only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to produce this elegant Champagne with its golden hue, fine persistent mousse, hints of brioche, lemon and chalky minerality.
Price: £28
Where to buy: marksandspencer.com
Non-alcoholic
REAL Peony Blush Sparkling Tea
Peony Blush is the new alcohol-free sparkling rosé from REAL which is perfect for those blissful summer moments. It presents a blooming array of tasting notes perfect for a summertime toast and is that delightful pink hue you want from a rosé.
Pleasure the senses with aromas of strawberries, cherry summer fruits, and creamy buttery notes as winter gives way for a new season. Peony Blush is the ideal partner for those summer barbecues and goes beautifully with fresh spring salads, chargrilled fish and charcuterie. For those looking for a glass of sparkling rosé without the alcohol, Peony Blush provides all the natural character of a classic rosé, meaning you don’t have to compromise on flavour.
Price: £13
Where to buy: realdrinks.co
Picnic picks
Vinca organic red, white and pale rosé
Grown under the Sicilian sun in family-owned, sustainable vineyards, Vinca’s pale rosé, white and red are made by wine lovers and canned with the planet in mind. Vinca’s cans are plastic-free, infinitely recyclable and have a special organic lining so the wine never touches the aluminium and, more importantly, never affects the flavour. Easy to take with you to picnics, park trips, festivals and garden parties, Vinca’s sophisticated serves make an exceptional summer aperitif: no corkscrew required.
Choose from three award-winning wines for a taste of Sicilian sunshine:
The pale rosé: Organic Syrah
The pale rosé is made from 100% syrah grapes from vineyards that show off the coastal terroir. Careful pressing allows the delicate red fruits to shine and allows the syrah to bring a slight spice to the finish. This is a lovely Provence-style pale rosé from the north-west of Sicily.
The crisp white: Organic Catarratto
Vinca’s white wine is made from catarratto, the grape synonymous with excellent Sicilian whites. The grapes are lightly pressed, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks to retain all the crisp, tropical and citrus fruit notes.
The juicy red: Organic Nero D’avola and Frappato
The red wine is a blend curated by Vinca’s co-founder Jack and head winemaker Ivan in Sicily. It uses 80% nero d’avola, a wonderfully juicy red grape, topped with 20% frappato to bring a little dried strawberry and pomegranate to the finish.
Price: £3 for a 187ml can
Where to buy: vincawine.com
Frizz expandable wine cooling sleeve
Perfect for chilling 75cl wine and sparkling bottles so that they can be enjoyed at the perfect temperature when out and about, the Frizz cooling sleeve is the ideal picnic basket addition. Made from polyethylene and expandable elastic to fit snugly to the bottle, a gel inner ensures your wine is chilled in 20 minutes and stays cool for two hours. Just pop in the freezer for two hours before you go out and you’ll never have to worry about warm wine again.
Price: £24.99
Where to buy: peugeot-saveurs.com
Prices are subject to change but are correct at time of publication
