Summer is definitely in full swing here in the UK and we’ve had some fab weather of late. Long may it continue we say too as nothing helps us to sell garden furniture better than sunshine.
And speaking of garden furniture, if there’s one thing we enjoy after a hard day at work or a busy day in the garden, it’s a nice glass of wine at our Garden Tables.
We can’t claim to be a leading sommelier but we do have a few amateur wine stewards among us. We know what we like and we have a fair idea of what goes well at a garden party or what makes a good glass or two on a summer's evening.
When it comes to a garden party, then we think it's best to cater for mixed tastes with wines that are refreshing and versatile, and that way they’re more likely to be enjoyed by a wide range of palates.
For something to relax with on an evening, then you might want to consider red wines made with grapes that are high in polyphenol and resveratrol, such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, as they’re great for those looking to kick back and relax with a glass or two as the sun sets.
If the temps are up in the mid to high twenties as we’ve seen across the UK over much of the last month or so, then a lighter-bodied red, such as a Pinot Noir, is a fab option.
Lighter-bodied simply means that a lighter grape variety has been used to produce an easier-drinking lighter-coloured wine with fewer tannins as opposed to a fuller-bodied red which will be darker with bold notes and more complex flavours.
You can also pop a lighter-bodied red such as a Pinot Noir in the fridge for about 1 hour and then it’ll be perfectly chilled to bring out to the garden table at your next family BBQ.
And whilst we can’t claim to be experts, we do have a few great recommendations that are well-suited for a garden party or laid-back summer evening.
We’ve also tried to pick something for all tastes, so hopefully, we can introduce you to some new great summer wines for your garden table:
1. Sauvignon Blanc
Sauvignon Blanc is a light and crisp white wine that’s known for its lively acidity and citrus flavours, making it a refreshing choice for warm summer days.
To be honest, there are so many great Sauvignon Blancs that picking one was a challenge, the team had to pick between several options, and whilst it was a tough task, someone had to do it.
Taking into account that it is for summer drinking outside at the garden table, in the end, our consensus was for New Zealand’s Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2022.
The Marlborough region truly excels with Sauvignon Blanc and as Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide put it:
“Cloudy Bay is the best-known name in New Zealand wine and for good reason. Their Sauvignon Blanc has such terrific purity of fruit, intensity and poise, it's become the standard bearer of Marlborough wineries”
2. Rosé
A dry Rosé is always a crowd-pleaser as it delivers a nice balance of fruit and floral notes.
Most are generally on the light-bodied side and if you’re looking for a bottle that will pair perfectly with BBQ food, then we can highly recommend Miraval’s Côtes De Provence Rosé.
Pale and dry, this Provence Rosé follows a meticulous technical process with constant surveillance throughout to ensure supreme quality.
The result is a beautifully pale-pink rosé, with notes of wild strawberry, stone fruits, tangerine and white flowers. Dry, crisp and refreshing, this is the perfect Rosé to enjoy in your garden this summer.
3. English Sparkling Wine
You can’t go wrong with good quality sparkling wine and it is sure to add a celebratory touch to your garden party.
And whilst we can’t use the C-word, there’s a plethora of English vineyards producing some truly exceptional bottles.
The winner for us in this category has to be Ridgeview Blanc de Noirs as it's a truly remarkable wine from a remarkable producer, and arguably the pioneer of English sparkling wines.
Made from premium Pinot Noir grapes, it has a beautiful pale gold colour with a bouquet of fresh cherries, crisp apples, citrus fruit and just the right hint of spice.
It is beautifully balanced with plenty of bubbles and is the perfect bottle of fizz to treat your guests at your next garden celebration.
4. Pinot Noir
For those who prefer a red, then as we mentioned in our intro, Pinot Noir is a superb choice in the summer as they are great chilled.
Again, as with the rosé, look for those that are lighter-bodied with lots of red fruits and a smooth finish as they’re more versatile and enjoyable at the garden table.
If you’re looking for something new and a little left of field, then we can certainly recommend Errazuriz Estate Reserva Pinot Noir from the Aconcagua Valley in Chile.
A wonderfully delicate Pinot that is smooth with aromatic floral notes, this is a great one to try and change the mind of those unsure about reds.
The cool climate of the Aconcagua Region near the Pacific shores mixes a cool breeze with abundant sunshine to create a fresh easy drinking red that is best served chilled on for a warm summer's day.
5. Cabernet Sauvignon
If you do want something a little more complex to unwind on a summer's evening, then a full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon would be our red wine of choice.
We'd take a trip to sunny California for this one and the wonderful Bread & Butter Cabernet Sauvignon will deliver all those lush dark fruit flavours with deep savoury notes.
Ripe and robust, this is a good honest red that has layers of mocha, fresh berries, blackcurrants and some powerful oaky and vanilla notes.
6. Riesling
Riesling is a versatile white wine with a range of styles from dry to sweet that is making a bit of a comeback.
Many hold the misconception that Riesling is super sweet and a little bit kitschy, however, with a natural acidity, vibrant fruit flavours and floral aroma we think it is fighting back against its more popular siblings, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
If you’re new to it, our advice would be to start with Leitz Magdalenenkreuz Riesling Kabinett (aka Maggie) as it is a great introduction and a firm favourite with the experts.
A delightful and easy-drinking wine, it showcases the best qualities of the Riesling grape.
Combining a fresh citrus zing fruit with a vibrant fresh apple-like aroma, it is the perfect wine for sharing a few glasses with friends around your garden table this summer.
7. Non-Alcoholic Wine
If you’re hosting a garden party then it is always a good idea to have a non-alcoholic option.
If you don’t drink alcohol, volunteered to be the designated driver or you’re looking to drink less, then there are some beautiful modern non-alcoholic options on the market now too.
Of the ones we’ve tasted, our vote would go to Eisberg, who does a beautiful non-alcoholic Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The Sauvignon Blanc has all the freshness you’d want with a wonderful floral aroma of elderflowers with hints of green apple.
The Cabernet Sauvignon on the other hand has a wonderful dry richness that gives you juicy black cherries and blackberries with a hint of vanilla and gentle cloves.
Eisberg is the German word for iceberg too, so both of these are best served at your garden table chilled.
Remember, if it is for a garden party then often the safest thing to do is offer your guests a variety of options to accommodate different tastes and preferences. If it’s just for you, pick the one you know you like and enjoy!
If you have a garden party or you think your Garden Table is looking particularly resplendent when you next sit down to enjoy a glass of wine, then we’d love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign.
You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or email them to us at [email protected].