As much as we might dislike admitting it, the conclusion of the summer season is looming ominously. So before we begin rummaging for school uniforms and stowing away our barbecue grills, there’s enough time for one final summer hurrah. Here are four wines- two reds and two whites, all with an alcohol content of 12.5% or lower, ideal for enjoying during the warmer temperatures, either inside or al fresco.
Luis Seabra, a Portuguese winemaker, is renowned for crafting some truly exquisite and intricately bewildering wines, both red and white. His select wines that range from €35-€45 are worth pursuing and can be bought from independent sellers. The wine specified below is derived from the local rabigato grape.
Sicily’s most extensively grown white grape is the Grillo. Traditionally the base for the strengthened beverage Marsala, it also has the capacity to create highly favourable table wines, provided the yields are moderated. The organic wine described below certainly fits this description.
Marzemino is nearly exclusively cultivated in Italy, producing light, invigorating wines laced with sour cherry and damson fruits in cooler temperatures, which may sometimes exude a herbal aroma. The Tai Rosso listed below, a Grenache variant, bears little resemblance to those produced in the South of France or Spain.
If you’re on the hunt for an additional splash of summer glitz, the most recent limited edition of Minuty M Rosé Cuvée (€24, available from independent shops), with a bottle designed by Henriette Arcelin, is the consummate seasonal wine.
M&S has discovered Marzemino 2023, IGT Veneto, a 12% wine costing €11. It boasts a light, refreshing taste with mouthwateringly tart morello cherries. Ideal for pairing with cold meats, mushrooms, or lighter varieties of pasta. Available at Marks & Spencer.
Vitese Grillo 2023, Sicilia DOC Colomba Bianca Organic, costs €15-€17 and boasts 12.5% alcohol content. A vivacious, crisp wine with concentrated juicy green fruits, this one is highly cost-effective. Have it as an aperitif or with summer salads. Available at Pinto Wines, D9; Green Man Wines, D6W; Lilith, D7; Cass & Co., Dungarvan
Finally, Giannitessari Tai Rosso Colli Berici 2022 from Italy boasts 12.5% alcohol content and costs €20. A charmingly aromatic, elegant wine featuring bright perky red summer fruits and a nicely rounded finish.
At Whelehan’s in Loughlinstown, you’ll find the Luis Seabra Xisto Ilimitado Branco. Priced at €24.50, this wine has a bright freshness that is subtly deep, ending in a delightful saline dry finish. It is a delightful pairing with dishes like roasted chicken, grilled sole or prawns. Don’t miss out on tasting it at other locations such as Green Man Wines, D6; Baggot Street Wines; Blackrock Cellar; Lilith in D7; Glasthule’s 64 Wine; Mitchell & Son in Sandycove; the Pinto Wines D9; Clontarf Wines; and Redmond’s in D6.