on the grapevine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... DRINKS TO PERK UP SUMMER PICNICS
HERE comes the sun! With our parks, gardens and countryside settings looking glorious and picnic season in full swing, now’s the time to unfurl a blanket and mark the moment with a hamper full of delights.
Whether it’s a backyard bar, patio picnic or day trip to the park, here are some picnic-perfect tipples to savour this summer...
1 THE UNCOMMON WINE RANGE: GERALD BUBBLY WHITE WINE & ELEANOR BUBBLY ROSÉ WINE 2019, Mixed 8 Pack, £42; Alfie White Wine Spritzer & Peggy Rose Wine Spritzer – Mixed 8 Pack, £38, We are the uncommon
THESE fab labels, featuring dapper, illustrated designs, are perfectly tailored for summer socials and vintage wicker hampers. English sparkling wine in a can, the pink bubbly hints at cherries and rose petals; the white bubbly, elderflower and freshly cut grass; and the lower abv spritzers (5.5% abv) are delightfully fragrant.
2 SMIRNOFF SELTZER RASPBERRY & RHUBARB AND SMIRNOFF ORANGE & GRAPEFRUIT, £1.80 each, Tesco
HARD seltzer seems to be the buzz-word this summer, with pre-mixers clattering down the canning line at the rate of knots. We’ve plucked these two trendy tipples for our picnic and pizza spreads. Smirnoff has spiked its No 21 Red Label vodka with sparkling water and natural fruit flavours, creating a tangy twist with hints of citrusy fruits and berries.
3 BUCK & BIRCH THORNSTAR MARTINI, £8, Aelderlixir
BUCK & Birch’s Wild bottled cocktails are made with ingredients foraged from nearby land, and this latest edition offers a Scottish twist on the classic pornstar martini. The sweet, citrus punch of Amarosa rosehip rum liqueur is perfectly balanced with notes of vanilla and almond from the woodruff vodka and hawthorn blossom syrup. Simply fill a cocktail shaker with ice, shake hard and strain into a chilled martini glass.
4 PROPHECY ROSÉ WINE 2019, SOUTH OF FRANCE, £9.50, Tesco
INSPIRED by the Goddess of Fortune, the celestial beauty of this poster girl’s moodboosting summer dress sparks thoughts of romantic holiday evenings – or a sunny corner to soak up the day in style.
On the nose, delicate aromas of strawberry and raspberry, with notes of fresh red fruits, melon and merest hint of citrus, with a crisp, fresh finish.