summer drinks
Not everything’s coming up rosé
change!”
Guy Chatfield goes in search of some alternative summer libations “S
UMMER drinks, big man, and make it interesting ... for a
Cienna and Dry Muscat are popular summer wines, according to Brown Bros.
Chill out this summer
CHILLED red wine looks set to become the serve of the summer. That’s the prediction from Australian wine firm Brown Brothers, which reckons the popularity of chilled lighter reds is gaining momentum, with its own Tarrango now said to account for almost a quarter of its sales in the UK. Gail Gilbert, European sales and marketing director for Brown Brothers, expects demand for lighter wines to rise even further in the coming weeks.
“The lower alcohol category as a whole continues to grow and is set to accelerate in the summer months as consumers look for lighter options, particularly as the number of all-day events increases,” she said. “Brown Brothers offers a range of low alcohol wines, including the Cienna – a chilled red exclusive to Brown Brothers at just 5% ABV.”
In other summer trends, Gail expects fruity wines – red, white and rosé – to prove popular, advising operators to match fruity styles with summer dishes, like salads, tapas and barbecued food to make the most of sales. “Such suggestions on the menu or a chalkboard will help consumers complement their meal with ease, encouraging them to spend more,” she said. “Offering wine by the glass is a must as it will generate a much higher turnover per bottle as well as enabling lone wine drinkers in a crowd to enjoy a drink without investing in a full bottle.”
28 - SLTN - April 28, 2011
When I got the editor’s brief for this month’s article, I steeled myself and decided that the well-worn route of waxing lyrical about the benefits of rosé wines in the heat of summer was not one I was going to go down. In my book, a rosé that is as dry as a bone, like those from Provence in the South of France, is indeed a fantastic hot weather drink, but it is by no means the only one. What I decided to do was seek out the interesting and obscure, and explore the various ways our continental cousins enjoy a cool wine-based beverage in the height of the summer. They are far more used
Rosé is a great summer drink but it’s by no means the only suitable wine.
to slaking their thirst on a blisteringly hot day than we are. My search began in Germany – a country more readily associated with the production of beer. On a recent visit to the Bavarian city of Munich, I noticed a lot of people drinking Weisswein Schorle and Prosecco Aperol (or a Spritx cocktail as a bartender chum of mine told me). The Prosecco Aperol had a very similar appearance to a glass of a certain “phenomenal” Scottish soft drink (you know the one). The cocktail is a mix of Prosecco, Italian vermouth Aperol and a dash of soda served over ice, which I presume would be very similar in flavour to that 1970s favourite, a Campari soda. I say ‘presume’ as the smell of vermouth always made me feel a bit queasy, so I didn’t try the German equivalent – too many memories! The Weisswein Schorle is identical to the white wine spritzer or American white wine cooler – two thirds wine and a third soda water. It’s very popular in Germany but I’m afraid it’s a little too bland for me. On the other hand, there is something Spanish that I really must recommend you try, a Kalimotxo. The drink has its origins in the Basque region of north-eastern Spain and is pronounced ‘calimocho’.
Wine’s seasonality has lessened, meaning red wine has a place on summer drinks lists.
Made by combining 50% local red wine and 50% cola and served over ice, it is the forerunner to a vodka/ Red Bull in Spain – popular with the party crowd due to the alcohol and caffeine mix.
A similar bevvy exists in Andalucía in the south of Spain, where Sherry is king. Called Rebujito, it is a mix of sherry and lemonade – use the Fino style if it’s something you’re going to make and it’s the same 50/50 combination.
A brilliant food to try with this drink would be the typical tapas of ‘Chopitos’ – lightly battered baby squid – phenomenal! If these don’t tickle your fancy, however, two recommendations for some summer vino are in the box on the right. Cheers!
The Wine Guy’s summer suggestions
The crowd pleaser: Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand – bursting with ripe citrus and passion fruit flavours.
The interesting alternative: Picpoul de Pinet from the Languedoc in France – a delicious, lemon-zesty white.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58