Summer sipping
(bbc.co.uk)
Updated: 2006-07-31 14:52
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Summertime: not only is the living easy, the drinking is, too. Here's a round-up of the most refreshing drinks for the summer season and some tips on how best to enjoy them.
Summer's not just a season - it's a state of mind. Summer drinking requires a different approach, too. Lighter, fresher drinks take over from serious, highly pedigreed wines and spirits. Not only are they more refreshing, they're also a better match for fuss-free summer cooking.
Wines for summer
Light, fresh white wines:
A perfectly chilled glass of white wine refreshes the parts that red wine can't at this time of year. Certain styles work better as summer drinks than others, though. Below is a selection of grape varieties and wine regions to look out for, and some recommendations for pairing with summery foods.
1. Albarino: this wine from Galicia in northwest Spain has become deservedly popular recently. Its lemony, floral character makes it a great summer quaffer. It's also great with a range of seafood, from oysters to Galician-style grilled octopus.
2. Riesling: an underrated grape variety with flavours of green apple and citrus. It's made in styles from bone-dry to very sweet, but look out for dry or off-dry styles from Germany, Austria and Australia's Clare Valley. They make great aperitifs and are a great match with Thai and Vietnamese cooking.
3. Sauvignon Blanc: has forthright aromas of gooseberry, grass and green herbs. Wines from France(such as Sancerre), New Zealand and South Africa are among the best samples. Makes a great match with summery salads, asparagus and goat's cheese, as well as fish dishes.
Rose wine
Once considered deeply naff, rose wines are at last beginning to shed their socially embarrassing image. There are still a lot of overly sweet, confected, characterless rose wines out there, though, so choose carefully. Here are a few pointers:
Buy the most recent vintage--it will taste fresher. The vast majority of rosé wines don't age, so there's no point in keeping them from one year to the next.
Make sure it's dry. Sweet rose is usually cheap rose and is to be avoided. Read the label carefully and be prepared to spend the as much money as you would on a decent white or red wine.
Serve it cold. Rosé wine is made in the same way that white wine is, but is made from red grapes. It goes with the same food styles as white wine, but can be even more versatile.
Watch the alcohol level. Some rose wines can have a whopping 15 per cent alcohol. Those with less alcohol tend to taste better and are less likely to cause headaches and hangovers, particularly if you're out in the sun.