ON THE GRAPEVINE
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... THE COOLEST AND JUICIEST SUMMER RED WINES
IF YOU’RE a red wine lover and want to spark a heated conversation, choose a red with a light drink-menow character and pop it in the fridge half an hour before serving.
Chances are, especially on a hot day, some of your friends will feel at ease when they’re handed a sunkissed, lighter-bodied red served slightly chilled. And sceptics will have that frown turned upside down when they appreciate how the soft, fragrant fruit really hits the spot.
Here are some super reds to try this summer...
1 BEAUJOLAIS VILLAGES 2018 France (£5.99, Aldi)
A GORGEOUS gamay that really deserves a quick dip in your ice bucket. “Many might question chilled red wine, but rules are made to be broken!” says
Sam Caporn, MW, Aldi’s ‘mistress of wine’. “The principle gamay grape’s red fruity notes and minimal tannins make wines from Beaujolais taste divine when slightly chilled.”
2 SENTADOR CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 Central Valley, Chile (£6, Co-op stores)
WITH a faint hint of smoke, this ripe, young cab sav opens up with an air of raspberries and plums, and its juicy roundness lends itself beautifully to barbecued lamb cutlets and a mixed salad. Lightly oaked, it tastes best cool, not cold.
3 TTD MARZEMINO TRENTINO 2018, VENETO Italy (£8.50, Sainsbury’s stores)
A WINE that’s immediately likeable with its pretty postcard label, violet florals and lively, fruity cherries and berries that glide down effortlessly, especially when it’s served lightly chilled (try a cooler sleeve). A joy to drink, it’s beautifully refreshing on its own, and a favourite with mushroom risotto and shavings of Parmesan.
4 YARRUNGA FIELD SPECIAL RESERVE PINOT NOIR 2017 New South Wales, Australia (£9.99, Laithwaite’s)
A PLUSH pinot noir always lends itself well to a light chill. Here we have vibrant aromas of spice and cranberry, plums, vanilla, with a persistent silkiness that makes it a joy to sip in the open air.
5 SEIFRIED ESTATE ZWEIGELT 2017, NELSON New Zealand (£16.80, The New Zealand Cellar)
ZWEIGELT may not be a fashionable variety, but if you have a taste for adventure then it’s worth exploring what else New Zealand has to offer.
This expression is vibrant with juicy blackberry and a chorus of dark cherry and plum, a dose of dried herbs, and a beguiling savoury note on the delectable finish. Generous and balanced, it’s the kind of wine you don’t want to put down.