Summer wines
Summer is the perfect time to open up to friendly, fresh, simple and straightforward wines. To accompany meats on the BBQ, a salad on the go, a simple sandwich or grilled fish, or simply as an aperitif with a few olives: here's our selection.
Fruity but not just fruity...
"Summer wine" is often synonymous with simple, fruity, easy wines. These are often relatively young wines, whose fruity side is often exacerbated. In all three colors, almost all wine-growing regions offer wines of this type. We'll leave the grands crus to wait in the cellar... but if we're going to indulge in some fine food, we can still open a few more ambitious wines, provided the tannins don't clash and the alcohol level remains acceptable.
Not too expensive
The uninhibited consumption of aperitif canons has a price: we're looking for affordable wines. But beware: at less than €10, it's rare to find a wine that's really interesting and gives you emotion.
Not just rosé
It's the right time of year, but rosé remains a possibility, not an obligation, as many whites lend themselves perfectly to the warm season with fresh, lively wines. There are also reds of extraordinary drinkability that make you want to drink more, not take a nap.
All regions
From Alsace to the South-West, from the Loire to Provence, all regions offer wines to accompany your summer. Here are a few of our current favorites.
BORDEAUX
Le Petit Dada by Rouillac
Bordeaux
red
2019
Laurent Cisneros, owner of Château de Rouillac in the Pessac-Léognan region, dreamed of a simple, fruity, frank and honest Bordeaux: he's made it. A Bordeaux of pleasure, you'll be able to open it easily to accompany your summer meals. Exemplary in its digestibility, it's easy to drink more than you'd like. € 7.50
https:// www.chateauderouillac.com/product/petit-dada-bordeaux-rouge-2016-famille-laurent-cisneros/
JURA
Amber and Savagnin
Domaine de la Tournelle
2018
orange
Superb orange wine, made from savagnin grapes macerated for over 8 months, without the addition of sulfite. The nose is remarkably complex, with notes of rose and spices reminiscent of those of our gewurztraminer cousins. The palate is full-bodied and smooth. The slightly tannic finish, like powdered chalk, makes you long for Asian cuisine. Superb. When we open this bottle, we think of its creator, who died earlier this year. 30,90 €
https:// la-pangee.com/jura/1092-ambre-de-savagnin-2018-la-tournelle.html
SUD OUEST
Mas Fabien Jouves
French wine
You fuck my wine?!
red
A natural wine with a nose of red flowers (peony) and baskets of red fruit (cherries, strawberries, raspberries). On the palate, it's just as natural, deep, easy-drinking and super-fruity. Fresh finish with zan and polished tannins. A little bomb that's a pleasure to drink and to come back to again and again. 12,90 €
https:// www.vinibee.com/nos-vins-naturels/mas-del-perie-you-fuck-my-wine/
LOIRE
Clos des Treilles
Anjou
En bordée
2018
red
Beautiful Cabernet with deep black fruit notes and an evanescent hint of red bell pepper. The whole is intense, concentrated right down to the fruit on the palate. The tannins are perfectly polished. A success to be opened on this fruit with red meat. 11,50 €
https:// vinnouveau.fr/vallee-de-la-loire-rouge/3225-nicolas-reau-anjou-rouge-en-bordee-2018.html
Patrick Baudouin
La Grolle
Vin de France
2018
red
A pure Grolleau like you don't find many anymore, even though this grape variety represents a real alternative for the wines of tomorrow. A fruity nose, with hints of cherry, and a mouth that's as easy to drink as you'd like, fresh and easy to digest, with the right level of alcohol: 11.5%. Enough to satisfy consumers in a context of global warming. The winemaker's talent plays a key role. Well done. 15,60 €
https:// www.closdesmillesimes.com/20226-anjou-domaine-patrick-baudouin---la-grolle---100-grolleau-2018.html
BOURGOGNE
Domaine des Gandines
2019
Burgundy
red
Self-presented on the label as a "southern burgundy" by the domaine itself, this red burgundy shows superb freshness. A concentrated, fruity nose of crushed raspberry and Morello cherry, with a hint of pepper, is followed by a juicy, full mouthfeel. It's ripe, it's good, it's tasty. You just want to bite into it like a piece of fruit. Attention, obvious drinkability: chill two by two. Ideal as an aperitif or with any meal. 96 € for 6 bottles, or 16 € per bottle.
https:// www.vigneronsdexception.com/fr/domaine-des-gandines-vire-clesse/4847-domaine-des-gandines-bourgogne-pinot-noir-rouge-2019.html
CHAMPAGNE
Domaine Jeaunaux-Robin
Le Talus
extra brut
effervescent white
Beautiful extra brut with a complex, fruity nose, featuring notes of fermentation, fresh herbs and citrus zest. On the palate, the wine reveals all the finesse of a very successful pear/peach sorbet, both fresh and lively. The grapes appear quite simply intact. Great drinkability and constant evolution in the glass. A real favorite.37,50 €
https:// www.lesgrappes.com/vin/champagne-jeaunaux-robin-champagne-jeaunaux-robin-extra-brut-le-talus-de-saint-prix-petillant-6993
RHONE NORD
Laurent Combier
Crozes-Hermitage 2018
Cuvée L
Red
An inimitable style. Out of 40 wines from the appellation tasted blind, this one stands out above the rest: the nose explodes with violets and the wine's floral side. The palate is supple, straightforward, not at all aged or in search of structure. The ultra-fine tannic presence prolongs the wine, which lengthens with tension. Open wide now. 15,50 €
https:// www.lepetitballon.com/laurent-combier-cuvee-l-2018.html
PROVENCE
Domaine la Navicelle
Côtes de Provence
rosé
2020
A high proportion of Tibouren, the typical Provencal grape variety, in this clear, limpid rosé that whets the appetite. The nose is immediately mineral and rocky. The palate matches it, with a wine that traces and offers great tension. Long finish. Ideal with grilled fish. 17,50 €
h ttps:// www.avenuedesvins.fr/fr/vin-aoc-cotes-de-provence-navicelle-8044.html
LANGUEDOC
Domaine Gayda
Chemin de Moscou
red
Beautiful, complex nose of blackcurrant and violet, with a racy spicy edge. Full-bodied, fluid and vibrant on the palate. The tannins are perfectly polished. Good length for this modern wine to be opened at the mere mention of prime rib. 21 €.
https:// www.vinatis.com/id-42936-chemin-de-moscou-2018-domaine-gayda?r=googlemerchant&ids=smart-shopping-vins&gclid=Cj0KCQjw0K-HBhDDARIsAFJ6UGj3zEH9WA9IKCFrqh86CH8XCgwVtErJL93bBCL0aRJdYfg4e5Mr4GoaAjxFEALw_wcB
Mas Mellet
Les Salines
Vin de France
rosé
2019
A beautiful rosé of rare freshness, with a surprisingly invigorating, saline finish. One of those rosés that makes you want to drink it, so much so that it combines fullness with a crystalline, vibrant quality. For its own sake. 14 €
https:// cave.qcqbm.fr/brice-bolognini-mas-mellet/1105-chemin-des-salines-2020-brice-bolognini-cinsault-grenache-syrah-bio-vin-naturel.html
ALSACE
Pierre Weber
Le Blanc 2019
white
Vin de France
Fine orange color for this riesling maceration with a surprisingly zesty, complex nose. On the palate, the white fruit is exacerbated and invigorating. It's lively, it's long, it's good: open it. 27 €
https://www.lacaveduchateau.com/domaines/domaine-pierre-weber.html
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