FINE WINE

As the weather warms and the daylight lingers a little longer, we turn our minds to picnics, barbecues and time spent outdoors. And that, of course, includes enjoying a fine wine in the summertime. Whether chilled or sparkling, fruity or dry, there are plenty to choose from and, in Camberwell, there is no shortage of stores or venues in which to find your favourites.

Here are some wines to enjoy during the summer months:

CHARDONNAY

Dry, bold and full bodied, Chardonnay is a green-skinned grape variety used in the production of white wine. The variety originated in the Burgundy wine region of eastern France, but is grown all over the world including in California, Australia, New Zealand, Italy and Canada. Chardonnay went out of fashion for a while but new styles from innovative winemakers have revived it and refreshed its image. Chardonnays are a good match for lighter foods or mild, creamy dishes.

RIESLING

It’s often said that Riesling is the wine that wine makers love to drink. Its exact origin is difficult to pinpoint but Germany, Austria and the Alsace region of France have all produced the variety for centuries. Australian Riesling is a late-ripening, aromatic white and the best is grown in cool regions. Rieslings work well with Asian cuisine, chicken, salmon, and tuna. A dry Riesling is a great wine to accompany vegetarian dishes with light or no sauces.

PINOT GRIS

Enjoyed widely in Australia, Pinot Gris is a rich, full bodied white wine with a smooth texture, while its Italian cousin Pinot Grigio is a light crisp drink. The wine gets its name ‘gris’ from the French word for grey. Both are made from the same grape variety, but their different names come from the two countries in which they were commonly grown. Sip solo or pair with grilled fish or oven-roasted chicken. A fuller-bodied Pinot Gris can accompany meaty fish, pork or lamb.

PROSECCO

Aaah, bubbles. Summer definitely calls for some. Prosecco is a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region of Italy, made from the grape variety Glera. It’s made with a different set of grapes and a different winemaking method compared to champagne. Prosecco is labelled for sweetness from dry (1 gram of sugar per glass); to extra dry (just over half a gram of sugar) to brut (residual sugar). It is best served cold and can accompany a wide range of dishes.

SHIRAZ

This classic red wine is synonymous with Australia. The warm days, cool nights, and long growing seasons are ideal for Shiraz. The rich, bold wine’s ability to pair with steak, burgers, lamb and pretty much anything grilled or charred has helped its popularity. Shiraz originates from France’s northern Rhone Valley where it is known as Syrah but its suitability to hot, dry climates allowed it to flourish in Australia. Shiraz has a fruity, spicy flavour.

MERLOT

The soft, smooth texture of Merlot sits somewhere in the middle of the red wine spectrum and is often an introduction to red wine for newbies. Merlot is one of the world’s most popular red wines, and America’s second favourite after Cabernet Sauvignon. Known for its soft, rounded style, it is seen as an easy-drinking red, but it also produces complex, more intense wine. It is a food-friendly red and pairs well with lightly spiced meats and roasted vegetables.

PINOT NOIR

Hailing from Burgundy in France, Pinot Noir is one of the classic champagne grapes and creates a light red wine. As a more delicate wine, it is one of the safest reds to choose to cater to different tastes. And, because it is dry and light, it pairs with a wide range of foods, especially oily fish such as salmon and tuna, game meats and goat’s cheeses. Pinot Noir is a great summer red that’s best served slightly chilled.

ROSÉ

A cool glass of rosé says summer is here. The pale pink wine incorporates some of the colour from red grape skins but not enough for it to qualify as a red wine. The type of grape the rosé wine is made from will greatly vary the flavour, but it primarily has a fruity, citrusy, fresh undertone. Charcuterie, soft cheeses, salmon, chicken salads, and feta tarts are a few of the foods that make sensational partners for rosé.