Lee Hazelwood once fashioned a lyrical toast to summers joys, naming ‘strawberries, cherries and an angel’s kiss in spring’ as contributing elements in his summer wine. Nowadays, strawberries can be readily purchased all year round, but nothing beats the joy of devouring them during the balmy months. Savour a bowl of freshly plucked strawberries topped with a generous helping of cream, and you have quite possibly discovered the epitome of dessert delight. Yet, what beverage should one opt for to complement this succulent treat?
An exploration of the finest wines, beers and cocktails to pair with strawberries
Champagne of high quality needn’t break the bank: a selection of exceptional bargains and one noteworthy alternative
Cost-effective options from the Southern Hemisphere: a pair of wines, one from Australia and another from New Zealand, £10 each
As the season favours salads, what wines are most fitting to accompany chilled dishes?
Ideally, a beverage hinting at sweetness and filled with the light, invigorating flavours of fruit is the most desirable. Include a touch of sparkle for a matchless summer strawberry wine. Celebratory occasions might call for a demi-sec (semi-dry) or pink Champagne. Prosecco, with its pleasing sweetness and popularity, pairs well. Extra dry Prosecco, on this account, is the prime choice. Should you feel inclined to diversify, an Asti or Moscato d’Asti, which is lighter in alcohol and sweeter than Asti, could be a fitting alternative.
Another suggestion is a rosé wine, sufficiently sweet. Suitable options include Barefoot or Gallo white zinfandel from California, or a French rosé d’Anjou.
Should you serve a sweeter dessert such as a strawberry tart or pavlova, a dessert wine like Sauternes, a German Auslese, or a sweet Chenin Blanc from the Loire would be apt. Pair strawberries smothered in dark chocolate with a chilled sweet fortified wine such as Tawny Port or a Maury.
Alternatively, season-coordinated cocktails present a tasty option. A strawberry mojito, mimosa or spritzer keeps the summer strawberry motif alive. A raspberry Bellini might be a refreshing change. For non-alcoholic choices, consider elderflower cordial mixed with fizzy water, an alcohol-free spritzer, or a raspberry kombucha.
For beer lovers, craft breweries often produce limited batches of fruit wines during summer. Früli, a Belgian wheat beer infused with strawberry juice, could be a rather daring, yet intriguing, choice.