Wines to please
Rebecca Taylor
BALMY summer evenings means barbecues with friends.
The emphasis is on cheerful, affordable wine that will please everyone. I have a few go-to categories that come up regularly on these occasions due to their instant appeal and often bargain prices.
To settle the disputes that can arise between Sauvignon Blanc drinkers and Chardonnay drinkers, an oaked Sauvignon Blanc is often a winner. The time spent in oak, and things like time spent on the yeast lees means that the classic zippy Sauvignon acidity is a little softer and the wine feels broader in the mouth. Flavours typical of Sauvignon Blanc remain, but there should be added layers of complexity. Some of my favourite examples that sit in the $25 - $30 bracket are Te Mata’s Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, with an appealing passionfruit character to it, and the River Farm Saint Maur Sauvignon Blanc, which is more about melon and lemon curd notes. Both of these wines should delight even the most hardened Sauvignon Blanc denier.
For red wines, if you don’t want to fork out the extra cash on a Pinot Noir, but you want something a little lighter bodied, there are a few good options available. Te Mata Gamay Noir is unbeatable value at $20 - $25 (if you see it on special for under $20, snap it up!). Gamay Noir is the grape of Beaujolais, and has a softer tannin profile and bright fruit. Think of a bowl of summer berries with a drizzle of cream. A little bit of spice and floral notes makes it even prettier.
Some great deals can be had on European wines, and I was very pleased with the Roccaventosa Sangiovese I picked up for $20 recently. Good fruitiness with a touch of spice and the ability to cut through even quite rich or fatty food.
A generic Cotes du Rhone is a good option, and several are available on the market at around the $20 - $25 point. Some good brands to look out for are Guigal and Chapoutier. These are fruit forward wines with a bit of savoury depth to them, and very easy drinking.
The ultimate barbecue red is the Rojo Garnarcha I recommended earlier this year. Priced between $14 and $16, it’s incredible value for money! Fruity and fun, it’s now available in a screw cap, so it’s what I’ll be reaching for when the concerts in the Soundshell at the gardens start up again.
The emphasis is on cheerful, affordable wine that will please everyone. I have a few go-to categories that come up regularly on these occasions due to their instant appeal and often bargain prices.
To settle the disputes that can arise between Sauvignon Blanc drinkers and Chardonnay drinkers, an oaked Sauvignon Blanc is often a winner. The time spent in oak, and things like time spent on the yeast lees means that the classic zippy Sauvignon acidity is a little softer and the wine feels broader in the mouth. Flavours typical of Sauvignon Blanc remain, but there should be added layers of complexity. Some of my favourite examples that sit in the $25 - $30 bracket are Te Mata’s Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc, with an appealing passionfruit character to it, and the River Farm Saint Maur Sauvignon Blanc, which is more about melon and lemon curd notes. Both of these wines should delight even the most hardened Sauvignon Blanc denier.
For red wines, if you don’t want to fork out the extra cash on a Pinot Noir, but you want something a little lighter bodied, there are a few good options available. Te Mata Gamay Noir is unbeatable value at $20 - $25 (if you see it on special for under $20, snap it up!). Gamay Noir is the grape of Beaujolais, and has a softer tannin profile and bright fruit. Think of a bowl of summer berries with a drizzle of cream. A little bit of spice and floral notes makes it even prettier.
Some great deals can be had on European wines, and I was very pleased with the Roccaventosa Sangiovese I picked up for $20 recently. Good fruitiness with a touch of spice and the ability to cut through even quite rich or fatty food.
A generic Cotes du Rhone is a good option, and several are available on the market at around the $20 - $25 point. Some good brands to look out for are Guigal and Chapoutier. These are fruit forward wines with a bit of savoury depth to them, and very easy drinking.
The ultimate barbecue red is the Rojo Garnarcha I recommended earlier this year. Priced between $14 and $16, it’s incredible value for money! Fruity and fun, it’s now available in a screw cap, so it’s what I’ll be reaching for when the concerts in the Soundshell at the gardens start up again.
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