Top Wine Picks for Summer: What to Drink When the Sun’s Out

Bouvet Ladubay Saumur Brut

The Loire Valley’s Saumur Brut is the go-to appellation if you like premium sparkling wine, but not the high price tag. And this one is hands down our most popular bottle. Over its rich history, Bouvet Ladubay has been endorsed by Napoleon III and chosen as an official supplier to the House of Lords. They specialise in bringing out the floral notes of Chenin Blanc, and it certainly shows in this lively, zesty fizz. Expect notes of honeysuckle, apple and lime, with a crisp, fresh finish. The perfect fizz to sip in the garden with friends on a summer’s evening.

The Guv'nor Sparkling, Spain

The Guv'nor wines break the winemaking rules to bring you plenty of flavour at great value. Like the Guv'nor red, this sparkling wine is made from a number of Spain's most popular regions. Carefully blending grapes from several areas breaks the winemaker behind it from restrictive regional rules. This means they can take advantage of the best parcels available and create something truly special. It's made from a local grape variety, Viura, and Chardonnay. Expect delicate aromas of blossom, vanilla and stone-fruit and citrus flavours and a deliciously creamy finish.

Mythral Sparkling Rosé, France

This wine comes from the sun-kissed landscapes of the South of France, renowned for producing exquisite sparkling rosé wine. The name ‘Mythral’ is an ode to both the myth of the dragon of Provence and the Mistral wind that blows through the region. Winemaker Florence Delabre meticulously monitors every aspect of the winemaking process, from vine to bottle, ensuring that each sip of rosé sparkling wine is a testament to the winery's dedication to excellence and tradition. Intensely aromatic, this wine explodes with flavour thanks to its fruity and acidic aromas. Enjoy its tart fruit flavours of blackcurrant, berries and lemon, with mineral notes that bring a lot of freshness. The perfect aperitif wine - it’s also delicious with shellfish and fresh salads.

Bollinger 'Special Cuvée' Brut Champagne

Bollinger is synonymous with high-quality Champagne. The house stands apart by doing things a little differently to most other producers in the region. One of the ways they stand apart is by fermenting their base wines in oak casks. This results in fizz with complex, creamy and spicy flavours. To make the highly esteemed Special Cuvée, grapes are predominantly picked from Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards. And if that wasn't luxurious enough, the wine is then aged for double the legal requirement, so expect nothing less than excellence in every sip. Rich. Ripe. Powerful. These velvety complex bubbles have aromas of roasted apple, walnut and spice, with flavours of pear, biscuit and toasted brioche.

The Ned 'Waihopai River' Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

Our bestselling white wine. Winemaker Brent Marris’ father was the first person to plant Sauvignon vines in Marlborough. Brent has had just as big an impact on Kiwi Sauvignon. He’s got rafts of awards to show for it, and that certainly reflects here. It’s the most refreshing thing you could pour into your glass. Full of gooseberry and grapefruit flavours, it’s grassy, tropical and seriously aromatic. Fantastic with Thai fishcakes, goat's cheese and salads.

Villemarin Picpoul de Pinet, France

Picpoul vines are almost exclusively grown in Picpoul de Pinet – an appellation next to the Languedoc’s Thau lagoon near Montpellier. The area is a plateau covered in vines, fragrant garrigue herbs and pine groves. We're not surprised Villemarin is a customer favourite – you can practically taste the Mediterranean in the wine. Its flavours are sun-ripened and as fresh as the salty winds that race across the lagoon. If you love crisp whites like Sauvignon Blanc, then this is a must-try. It’s incredibly zesty, with intense lemon and grapefruit flavours, and refreshing minerality – a perfect choice for fish and seafood dishes.

Lyrarakis Assyrtiko, Crete

Take a sip, and you'll see exactly why Assyrtiko's known as Crete's answer to Chablis. Bone dry. Fresh. Aromatic. This is a perfect first step into the world of Greek wine. Discover wild aromas of meadow flower and yellow orchard fruit, backed by a heavy dose of minerality. Divine with oysters and grilled white fish.

Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny, France

We’ve sold this wine for over 30 years, and for that whole time it’s been a bestseller. Why’s it so popular? White Burgundy is a go-to for Chardonnay drinkers, and the Mâconnais in particular offers great value. Unlike the northern Côtes, the southern part of Burgundy doesn’t have a formalised vineyard hierarchy system, so the wines tend to be more wallet-friendly. Not to mention, Lugny is one of the best-regarded villages in the Mâcon, and Latour is one of the most famous houses. This is a gently honeyed wine with notes of ripe peach and a crisp finish. Its rounded texture has made it a classic favourite for enjoying with buttery mushroom risotto or BBQ white fish and white meats.

Peyrassol ‘Les Commandeurs’ Organic Rosé, Côtes de Provence

Established in the 13th century by the Knights Templar, Peyrassol now makes some of the finest rosé in Provence. This is their second wine, and their bestselling rosé globally. It’s a true reflection of the estate’s commitment to quality, which sees them select the best terroirs and grapes to craft their signature style. 2022 marks the first vintage to be certified organic, as all Peyrassol’s wines will be going forwards. You’ll find it elegant and floral with notes of ripe strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry and tangy citrus. The crisp, lively flavours pair beautifully with fresh fish, particularly salmon or scallops.

Minuty 'Cuvée Prestige', Côtes de Provence

Château Minuty sources the grapes for its 'Cuvée Prestige' from some of the very best Provençal vineyards. Taste the benefits in this blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah and Tibouren, a grape found almost exclusively in Provence. It's powerful-yet-balanced with hints of citrus and red fruit licked by a refreshing minerality. This is the sun-soaked south of France in a bottle.

Roseblood d'Estoublon, Coteaux Varois en Provence

Château d’Estoublon have been making revered wines for over 500 years. Based in the heart of Provence, their hillside vineyards have been farmed organically since 1999 out of respect for their picturesque surroundings. Discover notes of zesty citrus, apricot, strawberry and peony, plus an elegant minerality. Enjoy it with light Mediterranean-style dishes like tomato confit or beef carpaccio.

De Martino "Colinas del Itata" Cinsault

Looking for a red that makes the perfect summertime sipper? This soft and fruity Chilean Cinsault is just what you need. Perfumed notes of fresh red berries, dark cherry and violets are balanced by crisp acidity and fine-grained tannins, making for a refreshing and smooth drinking experience. Founded by Italian Pietro De Martino Pascualone in 1934, the family-owned De Martino brand is now in its fourth generation. They’ve always done things a little bit differently, and since 2011, have solely used native yeasts and French oak barrels in their winemaking processes. Grapes are harvested early to retain freshness, which is why Colinas del Itata is such a delight to drink. Perfect alongside charcuterie, smoked cheeses or pizza.

Bread & Butter 'Winemaker's Selection' Pinot Noir, California

Bread & Butter is that thing that you can count on. It’s dependable, comforting – you know what to expect. That’s exactly what you’ll get with this wine, a textbook Californian Pinot Noir from the same winery which brought you the sell-out Bread & Butter Chardonnay. Their vineyards are ideally located for classic varieties like Pinot. It’s sun-drenched, but cooled by the daily morning mists which roll in off the Pacific. It’s exactly the sort of position that pernickety Pinot thrives in. This deliciously silky wine proves our point. It’s all about red fruit. Cherries. Raspberries. Cranberries. It’s seriously juicy and seriously delicious, with a nice fullness which is classic California. Oak aging gives it a touch of cedary spice and woody herb notes. Pop it in the fridge for 20-30 minutes before serving to bring out those crunchy red fruit flavours. Delicious with a BBQ or picnic.

Georges Duboeuf 'Flower Label' Fleurie

18-year-old Georges Duboeuf knew his family’s wines had the potential to become some of the most celebrated Beaujolais in France. In 1964, he set off on his bicycle with a selection of bottles strapped to his back. He pedalled around some of the most celebrated French restaurateurs of the day, and they all loved the food-friendly wines. George’s success inspired him to expand the family business and build relationships with some of the best growers in Beaujolais. Fleurie is one of the best appellations in the region, known for producing floral, delicate wines. Think violets and red berries, with a really silky texture. As for food, it’s brilliant with charcuterie and terrines.

Vito Mameli Nero d'Avola, Sicily

Made from Sicily’s first red grape, this wine has Intense notes of juicy forest fruits, pomegranate and spicy black pepper. While carefully selected grapes from coastal vineyards impart delicate floral and saline hints. Try it with charcuterie and BBQ meats.