School’s
out in Ireland, which means it’s officially summer. That means that the
kids are under our feet until September. It’s enough to turn a man or
woman to drink. And if you do, what should you be drinking? Martin will
discuss summer white wines with Sean Moncrieff on the Moncrieff Show on
News Talk 106FM at about 3.40pm on Friday July 2nd.
Many
chefs suggest we choose seasonal foods instead of our modern and frankly
weird expectation to be able to eat things like strawberries or asparagus
whatever the month. I heartily agree and go further and suggest we drink
seasonal wines. Certain wines and particularly white wines are very
appropriate in the summer months.
As
the mercury climbs we instinctively reach for drinks that will cool and
refresh us. Water, lager, diet coke or cider may do the trick but some of
us prefer wine, especially with food.
With
wine we are for the most part talking about whites. And we are certainly
talking about white wines made without oak. Oak makes wines taste heavier
and more full bodied. What is required is something lighter with some bite
and a bit of intense yet light flavour so that we can still taste it when
it’s cold.
The
clear choice here is a sauvignon blanc of some description with that
grape’s trademark tangy fruit and fresh crisp acidity. Best sources are
New Zealand and increasingly South Africa. If you have some money splash
out on a good Sancerre or if on a budget try a Chilean. But always drink
the youngest possible vintage and avoid the Californian ‘fumé blanc’
style which is oak aged.
The
other classic summer grape is riesling. Dry styles will be more refreshing
and look for one of the many Australian versions available with a screw
cap – even handier for the beach or picnic. Wakefield Clare Riesling at
around €11.99 or Peter Lehmann at €9.99 are both widely available and
excellent choices.
Chardonnay
should make it into the frame but only the unoaked ones. France supplies
some classics here and Chablis would be my desert island wine and a
perfect choice on a hot day. In studio we’ll be trying Marks
& Spencer Chablis 2001 at €13.99 but Dunnes have a couple
of crackers, which were reviewed recently and are made by Chablis maestro
Jean Marc Brochard.
Iberian
whites are getting more interesting with every vintage. Spain has the
refreshing Albarino grape from Galicia. Martin Codex is the name to look
for but also many a classy Rueda made with the Verdejo grape, which can
out sauvignon a sauvignon.
Portugal
are in the Euro 2004 final this weekend and so what better way to
celebrate than with a glass of genuine Vinho Verde in hand. For the full
effect grill some sardines and open a bottle of Quinta
do Ameal 2002 from Approach Trade and sold through them or the
Wicklow Wine Company at around €13 and we'll be tasting it live.
Czech
fans will no doubt be drinking Budweiser Budvar.
Rosé
is of course an excellent choice and I’ve written about this recently
for thewineroom.ie.
If you can’t give up reds switch to Beaujolais or Brown Bothers Tarrango
and serve them cold.
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