After the success of the Top 10 Wines for Spring round-up earlier this year, and with the mercury slowly rising across the UK, it's time for another installment. Again our friends at Oddbins on Marylebone High Street, London have tipped their eight best wines for summer. With the economic outlook improving, we've also upped the budget -- it's summertime, after all... This time, Oddbins manager Barbara Siembida guides us through her top tipples for toppy temps this summer.WHITES
Contelucio, Pinot Grigio, Bellanote, 2007
£13.99/11.19 as a part of mixed case of 12
Pinot Grigio has earned an awkward reputation for itself from cheap versions found in pubs and bars and is often best avoided, though as a Pinot Gris it often makes a brilliant wine. This is admittedly very expensive for Pinot Grigio, which is a good sign, but the proof is in the glass. It is slightly tinged - with a pinkish hue to it (ramato or copper in Italian, neither white nor red), and that’s what it should be. Pinot Grigio as a mutation of the Pinot family is not really a white grape. The nose is intense with dry hay, elderflowers and dried tea rose; medium bodied with slight mineral oiliness similar to an Alsatian Pinot Gris, light dried fruit character, almonds and walnuts and a very refreshing streak of acidity. Should work wonderfully with vegetarian main courses - carrot ragout, roast pumpkin with butter and sage or even chunky, succulent soups.Bourgogne Blanc, Francois Jobard, 2001
£24.99/19.99 as a part of mixed case of 12
Yes, it is a generic Bourgogne and yes, it is £25. But you should try it because of the legend behind it, Francois Jobard, and because it is produced in miniscule quantities. Don't quite know what our French buyer did to get it on our shelves, but the important thing is it's there. Mr Jobard is known for his classic whites - very clean and steely with an amazing ageing potential. This one is still fairly young on the nose and the palate, with lovely primary fruit of ripening Golden Delicious apple, dairy undertones and slight smokiness. Very complex, this should be drunk very slowly - fois gras anyone?REDS
Barbera d'Alba, 'Il Ciotto', Bovio 2007
£12.99/10.39 as a part of mixed case of 12
Bright purple in colour, slightly earthy/mineral tones on the nose with oodles of cherries and red berry leads to a medium bodied palate with more juicy sour cherry and raspberry, fairly high acidity but in perfect balance with the fruit intensity and alcohol. Beautiful for tomato and olive based sauces and light casseroles.Wiengut Niklas, Sudtiroler Lagrein, 2007
£11.99/9.59 as a part of mixed case of 12
We are having a bit of Italian epiphany as a team (though this one is as much Austrian as Italian, or probably neither as Alto Adige is its own territory) and this is our new favourite red. A grape rarely seen anywhere else shines brightly in this example. Intense and purple to look at, the nose is reminiscent of very good aged Merlot from California, with stewed plums, figs and dark forest fruits, some herbaceous notes and sweet spice. Light in body, also reminiscent of Loire reds (could be served slightly chilled - and on a hot day, probably should be) with very soft, ripe tannins and more plummy fruits follow. Medium length with a slightly bitter coffee-tinged finish. Would make a killer match with a lovely veal ragout, should be prefect for all the game birds as well, dried meats (Parma ham style) and hard cheeses.SPARKLING
Codorniu, Pinot Noir, Rose
£7.00/6.39 as a part of mixed case of 12
Cava is not everybody's cup of tea - but this is different. The first in Penedes to be made of Pinot Noir, rather than the three traditional varieties, it screams summer. First of all, lovely shade of pale pink, the bubbles are just right and the mousse very soft on the palate. On the nose heaps of raspberry, strawberry and red currant, and that moves onto the delicate palate and finishes with a lovely lemony/citrussy kick. Great in the garden at the end of a summer day on its own, but it will go well with summer fruit based desserts just fine.Louis Roederer, Brut Premier NV
£37.49/30.39 as a part of mixed case of 12
Drink this regardless of the season. Now back in stock, this is the Champagne to have. Very decently priced for the quality of the stuff that is in the bottle. Heavy on Pinots with the reserve wines aged in oak it's a biscuity, creamy style of champagne. On the nose - freshly baked brioche, yeast and hazelnuts, wonderfully soft mousse and stewed apples, more cream and nuttiness on the palate. The finish lingers in the mouth well. It matches wonderfully with shellfish or sushi.DESSERT WINES
d'Arenberg, 'The Noble Wrinkled' Riesling
£9.99/7.99 as a part of mixed case of 12
d'Arenberg wines have a special place at Oddbins, and the stickies have long been favourite among the staff and punters. This Riesling made from grapes affected by Botrytis is yellow golden in colour with a delicate nose - white flowers, white fleshy stone fruit and lime. The palate is yet more peachy fruit, ripe grapefruit and lemony zestiness. Wonderful to drink now, but will get better/different with age, so it's best to get a few bottles, just to see how it develops! Wonderful with fruit desserts.Domain Berthoumieu, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh
£9.99/7.99 as a part of mixed case of 12
The name comes from an old Gascon dialect and means (more or less) 'vines grown on slopes in the old country'. A blend of less common grape varieties - mainly Petit/Gros Manseng and L'arrufiac that are picked over-ripe for raisin-like richness. It's a match made in heaven for all creamy patisseries, brioches and crème Brulees or even soft, blue cheeses. Golden in colour with aromas of honey and citrus peel on the nose, the palate has marmalade and honey, with a touch of herbaceous notes (perhaps bergamot) and lovely, refreshing acidity on a long finish.Note: Not all Oddbins stock these wines -- click here to find out if your nearest store has them in stock. Read More......
