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Glass half full: the best summer wines
By Tempus | 22 June 2021 | Food & Drink
Raise a glass as we discover six extraordinary wines perfect for those sunny months
As summer weather blooms on the horizon, and we prepare for luxurious trips along the coastlines of France and Italy, restaurants around Europe are readily chilling their rosé. But, while this summer wine has gained prestige and popularity in recent years to become synonymous with summer, there is much to be said for crisp whites and fruity reds during these precious months of al fresco dining, as well.
This year the Decanter World Wine Awards, the world’s largest wine competition, has seen more than 18,000 wines from 56 countries judged out of a top score of 100, to highlight fine quality at every price point with super premium and boutique/ iconic wines topping the lists. With judging winding down and the results announced tomorrow, Tempus spoke to the experts to discover some of the most interesting white, rosé and – yes – red wines perfect for summer days.
Rosé
Chateau d’Esclans, Garrus, Côtes de Provence, Provence, France 2019 (95 Gold)
Perfumed nose of blueberry, wild strawberries and minty raspberries, with toasty nuances. Bold yet refined on the palate with a persistent spicy finish. This is a quite charming rosé from the heart of Provence.
Domaine Ray-Jane, Bandol, Provence, France 2020 (97 Best in Show)
Structured and characterful, this pale pink wine doesn’t lack prettiness of either colour or scent: it shimmers peachily on both fronts. In the mouth, plenty of almond marrow takes up the relay: creamy, long and fine.
White
Domaine Christian Moreau, Valmur, Chablis Grand Cru, Burgundy, France 2019 97 (Best in Show)
Alluringly sour and stony on the nose, recalling cold dug clay and plant sap rather than fruits – exactly what we want great Chablis to do. On the palate, it is tart and fresh yet, as the wine finds the warmth of the tongue, full and sinewy too, with just a whisper of full-throttle fruit.
Domaine Berthelemot Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Burgundy, France 2019 (95 Gold)
This Burgundy chardonnay features a very savoury nose of dense citrus fruit, alongside leesy notes and toasty oak. Powerful and dense in structure, with loads of fruit concentration and very long finish.
Red
Zýmē, La Mattonara, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva, Veneto, Italy 2008 (98 Platinum)
Aromas of stewed red and black fruit blend with smoky vanilla spice and a herbal touch. A powerful palate with raisin, figs and coriander seeds flavours, well-integrated oak and silky tannins. At £244 per bottle, this is astonishing and fresh, considering the vintage.
Frescobaldi, Ripe al Convento di Castelgiocondo, Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Tuscany, Italy 2015 (96 Gold)
Dried strawberry, tomato, finocchiona and balsamic hints on the nose develop into a precise and concentrated palate of great intensity and structural clarity. A long and mineral wine that is perfect for pairing for a summer cheese and charcuterie style picnic.