9 Top Bank Holiday Wines – Recommended By The Experts
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2020, Domaine Les Bruyères, £30 | Crozes-Hermitage Beaumont
Wine director at London’s NoMad Hotel, Bella Babbit says…
Fruit-forward, creamy and with mineral notes, this a really special wine which lets the region shine through due to the meticulous attention in the vineyard. Its medium body is matched by lovely minerality, which gives it versatility when it comes to food pairing. It’s perfect with a summery pasta or lightly roasted chicken. That said, it’s lovely on its own, too.
Available here
Fleur de Lise, £8 | Saint Mont Rosé
Wine journalist & expert Lisse Garnett says…
“Hailing from south-west France, Producteurs Plaimont have come up with this crisp pale peach nectar, offering a mouth-watering combination of raspberries, redcurrants, grapefruit, lime and delicate summer blooms. This cuvée is produced from a blend of Saint Mont’s three terroirs: clay-limestone, variegated clay and fawn-coloured sand and the vines are selected for their cool situation and exposure (north or west-facing) which encourages the development of the aromatic expression in the red grapes which make up this rosé. It would make a tasty pairing with barbecued halloumi, vegetable kebabs or seafood pasta.”
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English Sparkling Brut, £39.99 | Henners Foxearle
Head of buying at Virgin Wines Sophie Lord says…
“Henners Foxearle is made by a three-person team at the vineyard’s coastal location in Sussex – a place with a similar climate and soil to the Champagne region in France. Henners vineyard also only makes vintage wines in the best years, and this 2016 offering comprises only 5,000 bottles. The Foxearle is fresh, lively and elegant, with vibrant acidity and classic English flavours such as toasted, buttered brioche, slices of fresh red apple and lemon nougat. In my view, it’s such a quality wine, and best enjoyed as a standalone event. It definitely has a summertime feel to it and would be a wonderful way to celebrate the last weekend of summer this year.”
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“Rosé Brut” Prosecco Treviso DOC Millesimato 2019, £15.95 | Ca’ di Rajo
CEO at Independent Wine Elvira Dmitrieva says…
“Ca’ di Rajo’s rosé prosecco has a touch of pinot noir as well as the traditional glera, which adds a juicy taste of ripe summer berries to this light and elegant fizz – think wild strawberry, fresh raspberry and zingy cranberry along with a touch of candy. It’s also low in alcohol, at just 11.5%, making it a good choice for afternoon and early evening on the bank holiday weekend. I recommend you pair it with caprese salad – the quintessential taste of Italy.”
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Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc, £12.80 | Villa Maria
Villa Maria’s global marketing & communications director Sarah Szegota says…
“This is the perfect accompaniment to a long weekend with friends – and certainly one of my favourites of the Villa Maria wines. A striking blend from Marlborough’s Wairau and Awatere valleys results in the best of both sub-regions. The wine’s strikingly crisp character is accompanied by fresh passionfruit and citrus notes, with aromas of lemongrass, jalapeño peppers and fresh herbs. With ripe tropical flavours, this refreshing white is best enjoyed chilled with fresh seafood such as sautéed scallops or seared snapper. Alternatively, the fresh herbal flavours would match well with a side salad of fresh rocket, goat’s cheese and melon, or with a cheese platter.”
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Classic Cuvée, £31.99 | Hambledon
Founder of Mouse & Grape Jessica Summer says…
“Hambledon is the country’s oldest commercial vineyard and considered to be among the best traditional-method English sparkling wine producers. This award-winner is vibrant, creamy, yeasty and fresh. It has quintessentially British characteristics of blossom aromas and Granny Smith apple flavours. The palate is undeniably refreshing with crisp acidity and pairs especially well with a range of cheeses. Comté d’Estive has a rich, nutty flavour and a golden-brown rind, with just a hint of caramel sweetness. The fruitiness of the wine perfectly complements the supple texture and rich buttery flavour. Equally good is Brie de Meaux – known as the ‘king of cheeses’ and a staple for every picnic or cheese board. Alternatively, pair this English fizz with Valençay, an ashy, soft and delicate unpasteurised goat’s milk pyramid-shaped cheese from the Loire.”
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Folc Rose, £18.50 | Folc
Founder & buyer at Wanderlust Wine Richard Ellison says…
“This beautiful Folc rosé from the Kentish countryside feels like summer in a glass – pale, salmon-pink in colour, bright and vibrant. Leading with peach, cranberry and subtle spiced notes, it has a fresh, awakening zip in the mouth with a crisp and clean mineral backbone. It sings English strawberries and raspberries, with good acidity and zesty grapefruit nuances. Balanced by its floral and creamy notes with a fantastic refreshing finish, it’s one of the best English rosés I've tried.”
Available here
Blanquette de Limoux Réserve, 2019, £10.95 | Antech
Expert buyer & master of wine at The Wine Society Sarah Knowles says…
“I have recommended this great value sparkling to so many friends for weddings or parties, I’ve lost track! It’s a fantastically priced alternative to champagne, and Limoux is thought by many to be the birthplace of high-quality sparkling wine production in France. Great as an aperitif, this would go beautifully with many canapés but can also be the perfect match for fish and chips as the acidity cuts right through the oil.”
Available here
Assyrtiko, £15.50 | Kir-Yianni
Head of wine at The Hippodrome Casino Salvo Russo says…
“Assyrtiko hails from Greece and the wine blends an array of sweet and zesty aromas such as lemon zest, white peach and honeysuckle. On the palate, it displays a beautiful balance between the grape’s hallmark long, lean, stony, salty character and a more rounded, fleshier, fruitier trait. It’s great on his own but works very well with food too – I enjoy it best with watermelon and feta salads.”
Available here
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