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Bank Holiday Wines: The Perfect Picks for May

May is one of our favourite months of the year, not only is spring in full swing but we have two bank holidays. We’re crossing our fingers that the three day weekends will be full of sunshine and warmth, making way for BBQs, garden parties, and gatherings with friends.

To make sure you celebrate the bank holiday in style, we’ve created a selection of food and drink pairings, from fizz and chips to BBQs and bold reds, as well as our favourite bottles of fizz to toast to the occasion with.

Crisps and Champagne

We’re starting simple with Champagne and crisps because whenever you get together with friends to pop a bottle, there’s undoubtedly always a bowl of crisps around, too. And there's a reason for that; it works. Champagne loves salt and fat.

Moët & Chandon 'Brut Impérial' Champagne

The ultimate celebratory Champagne – rich and ripe, yet still crisp and refreshing. Expect elegant notes of peach, lemon and brioche. Try it with salted crisps.

Pol Roger 'Réserve' Brut Champagne

Aged for four years, this is complex, layered and elegant. You’ll find aromas of pear, mango and honeysuckle, with ripe flavours of quince, stone fruits and toasty brioche. Try it with truffle crisps.

Laurent-Perrier 'Cuvée Rosé' Champagne

This benchmark rosé is made with Pinot Noir grapes from some of Laurent-Perrier's finest crus. Discover elegant red-fruit flavours with a long finish and delicate mousse. Try it with prawn cocktail crisps.

La Marca Extra Dry Prosecco, Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG

Juicy. Fresh. Floral. This is Prosecco – but better. From the region’s equivalent of a Grand Cru, it’s wonderfully fruity with a soft, creamy mousse. Try it with cheese and onion crisps or parmesan puffs.

Grazing Boards

Grazing boards are a great way to cater for large groups of friends and family as they take the stress out of cooking a big meal. Filled with everything from cured meats and cheese to olives, nuts, artichokes, bread, chutney, hummus, and fruit. You could make a seafood board too, with smoked salmon, prawns, and oysters if you’re feeling fancy.

There are often a lot of different flavours going on on a grazing board, so we recommend choosing a wine with enough flavour to match.

Bouvet Ladubay Saumur Brut

This is, hands down, our most popular French fizz. Made with the Loire’s star grape, Chenin Blanc, it’s zesty and lively with notes of crisp apple, lime, and honeysuckle. You can’t go wrong with bubbles and a graze board.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Chardonnay, California

There’s nothing subtle about this Chardonnay. A blend of grapes from two very different California regions, it’s rich yet fresh with luscious notes of citrus and vanilla.

Errazuriz Single Vineyard Pinot Noir

Aconcagua Valley Pinot Noir with flavours of red fruit, cherry, plums and cranberry accompanied by soft notes of nutmeg.

Fried Fish and Fizz

Deep fried food is a match made in heaven with sparkling wine because high acidity and bubbles in traditional method sparkling wines cut through the rich oily batter and chips, making the food feel lighter.

It could be as simple as ordering fish and chips from your local chippy or cooking up your own ‘fakeaway’ version at home. If you prefer chicken, it’s great with fried chicken, too.

Keep it British and try an English sparkling wine, known for their racy, high acidity or try one of traditional method sparkling wines from around the world.

Ridgeview Bloomsbury Brut

This is their signature blend – a classic English sparkling combining Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Expect fresh notes of citrus fruits, melon and honey, plus fine, elegant bubbles.

Balfour '1503' Brut, Kent

This superb English sparkling is made using the same traditional method as the finest French fizz. It's complex and toasty with crisp notes of apple, citrus, pepper and thyme.

Bouvet Ladubay 'Blanc de Blancs' Crémant de Loire

Made of 100% Chardonnay grapes, and crafted with the same method as some of the world's finest French fizz. You’ll find delightful hints of pear, apple and white flowers - one of the best value sparkling wines around.

BBQ’s

The first bank holiday in May is usually when the BBQs are dusted off and garden centres get stripped of coal and gas. If you’re one of those people, then we’ve got the perfect wines to pair with your feast.

In the UK, we love to put burgers, sausages, and occasionally big chunks of meat on a BBQ, served alongside fresh and vibrant salads. Often, the flavours are quite strong, so bold and full-bodied wines are usually the top choice.

Barista Pinotage, Western Cape

In South Africa, Pinotage is the wine they pair with a ‘Braai’, (BBQ), as the savoury hints and richness really compliment the flavour of the meat. Bold and full bodied with intense notes of coffee, chocolate and ripe cherry, plus subtle savoury hints on the finish.

Trapiche ‘Tesoro’ Malbec, Uco Valley

This comes from an iconic winery recently named Best New World Winery by Wine Enthusiast. Discover aromas of red fruits, plum, vanilla and black pepper, and very smooth tannins.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Cabernet Sauvignon, California

A delicious example of the style that put Californian wine on the map. Expect lavish flavours of blackberry, cherry, chocolate and rich notes of vanilla and oaky spice.

Masi 'Campofiorin' Rosso Veronese

A Tuscan classic with a Riserva depth. Notes of bramble fruit and blueberry, grounded by a remarkable structure.

Ladies Who Lunch

If you’re thinking of getting the girls together for a spring lunch in the garden, then we’ve got just the no-fuss spread for you. Quiche Lorraine, a feta and courgette salad, smoked salmon cream cheese sandwiches, prawn cocktail, and chunks of fresh bread. There’s always room for a cheese board, too.

Peyrassol ‘Les Commandeurs’ Organic Rosé, Côtes de Provence

This is Peyrassol’s bestselling rosé. You’ll find it lively and floral with notes of ripe strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry and tangy citrus. Try it with fresh fish, salads and goats cheese.

The Ned 'Waihopai River' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Our bestselling white wine, made by Brent Marris, one of New Zealand's most celebrated winemakers. Full of gooseberry and grapefruit flavours, it’s grassy, tropical and seriously aromatic.

Langlois-Chateau 'Classique' Crémant de Loire Brut

This Crémant comes from customer-favourites, Langlois-Chateau – a Bollinger-owned winery with over 130 years of expertise. Its refined taste may just rival your favourite bottle of French fizz.

Springfield Estate Albariño, Robertson

Albariño is rare in South Africa's Cape. This is the second ever made – and it comes in very small quantities. It's complex and rich, with flavours of apricot, nectarine and that vital saline minerality. Excellent with fresh fish.

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Bank Holiday Wines: The Perfect Picks for May

Bank Holiday Wines: The Perfect Picks for May

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