Out & About Summer 2019

TOP TIPPLES

Head sommelier at the Vineyard Hotel ROMAIN BOURGER says there are some surprisingly good boxed wines to be found, as well as wines in a can, for the festival season. Plus a few recommendations from local wine merchants

W ith summer upon us, I am looking at alternative wine packaging that fit the needs of picnickers and festival-goers, as well as sharing some summertime drinking options. Wine packaging is very important as the label, colour or weight of the bottle can influence whether or not you would buy it. But what about alternative packaging? The bag in the box is not necessarily the most flattering, but you can find some surprising gems there. Of course, it might prove to be challenging to find very complex wines, but if you are looking for a simple, easy drinking and comforting wine, it would tick the boxes. While it used to be seen as a cheap wine that you drink on holidays, nowadays you can find some very interesting (and good) ones.

One of the joys of these is that you can try the local wines wherever you are and discover the region. I have found memories of buying some great bag-in-box wines from the Rhône Valley from a local cooperative. Nowadays, they are also more accessible on the internet. Something that we are also seeing is the increasing range of wine in cans, a trend which, in my opinion, will develop in the coming years. This shows that wine isn’t an old-fashioned drink any more and canned wines are getting more trendy. It is easy to transport and also helps avoid binge drinking. It is now just an easy way to have wine anywhere at any time. Although there are not many in the UK, it is definitely a growing market for the wine trade.

I picked up some great local wine on my recent holidays in the French Alps at about 18 € (£15.33) for 3l

CANNED WINES FOR YOUR FESTIVAL PICNICS

GiggleWater, Vino Bianco, Waitrose £2.49 20CL Bright lemon yellow in colour with a silver tinge. The nose has intense green apple and lemon zest character as well as some fresh-cut grass and orgeat. The palate is fresh and vibrant with delicate flavours of ripe pear, lime cordial and apple crisp. The bubbles are fine and gentle. The wine finishes on a fresh and zesty sensation. I would suggest to drink it between 6-8°C with light salads or seafood. Maris Rose, Waitrose £3.49 25CL An intense salmon-pink colour with rose-pink tinges. The nose is open and fresh with seductive notes of ripe raspberry and strawberry, juicy nectarine and pink grapefruit. The palate is dry and round with refreshing notes of ripe yellow peach and rose petal. The finish is crisp and mouth-watering. I would suggest to drink it around 8°C with vegetable salad or Mediterranean food, prawn and seafood. Maris, Shiraz, Waitrose £3.49 25CL Bright red cherry in colour with a garnet tinge. The nose develops intense red cherry tones as well as fresh cranberry and a touch of garrigue and white pepper. The wine is easy drinking, juicy and fresh with redcurrant and fresh damson aromas. The finish is pleasant and fruit driven. I would suggest to drink it around 16°C with charcuterie and cold meat.

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O&A SUMMER 2019