Even though the climate hasn’t been the epitome of summer, one can remain optimistic that by the time you peruse this, the sun will have made a comeback. There’s nothing quite like an open-air meal amidst relatives or companions to embrace the warmth of these days. Can you imagine anything more delightful than a table brimming with appealing mixed cool salads? They can be visually stunning and a great way to experience the cream of the crop that summer has to afford, especially with a colourful assortment of locally sourced, fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs.
This might not be the right moment to uncork your valued wines, but it’s worthwhile spending that extra penny on your drink. You and your friends will appreciate the refinement. Ensure your white and rosé wines are adequately chilled (without freezing which can ruin the taste) and your red wines are cool. Red wine at room temperature can be quite distasteful in warmer conditions.
For salads that are light with herbs, creamy cheeses, feta, goat cheese, seafood, tomatoes or cold pasta, a citrusy white wine like sauvignon blanc, riesling, Soave, Picpoul de Pinet or albariño would be a fitting choice.
For more substantial salads featuring chicken, duck or beef, consider a lighter red wine such as pinot noir, gamay or Valpolicella, or even a rosé. A typical open-air meal might have a combination of lighter and heavier salads. While you might opt for a heavier white or a lighter red wine, considering the season and potential sunlight, a perfectly chilled rosé might be a better pick. Also, serve generous amounts of iced water, or even flavoured sparkling water, to keep everyone comfortably hydrated under the sporadic summer sun.