With weeks of nice, sunny weather behind us and more still to come, many of us will be toasting the weekends at home with one or two wines.
To find out which wines are best in the summer and sunny weather, a range of experts shared their advice on bottles that are available online for home delivery or in the supermarket.
Master of wine and Scotsman wine columnist Rose Murray Brown has these recommendations for wines to enjoy on sunny days.
Whites
Rose says: "Zippy fresh whites with good acidity are ideal like cool climate Loire Sauvignon Blanc, Spanish Albarino, Austrian Gruner Veltliner and Portuguese Vinho Verder."
Languedoc, France: PICPOUL DE PINET PRESTIGE 2018 Domaine des Lauriers £10.35 from L’Art du Vin
Campania, Italy: GRECO SANNIO 2018 La Guardiense £10.49 from De Burgh Wines
Reds
"Choose thinner-skinned grapes like Pinot Noir, Mencia, Zweigelt, Teroldego or Gamay. It is often better to serve these reds slightly chilled" Rose advises.
Burgenland, Austria: VELVET TROCKEN NV Pittnauer £14 from L’Art du Vin
Beaujolais, France: FLEURIE 2018 Francois Dubessy £8.49 from Lidl.
Rose
Rose says: "Pale roses from Provence or Cotes du Ventoux – or other regions around the world like South Africa or Romania are ideal in sunny weather."
South Africa: CAPE CORAL ROSE 2019 Waterkloof £12.50 from Wood Winters.
Romania: SANZIANA ROSE 2018 £8.25 from Corney & Barrow.
Provence, France: PROVENCE ROSE 2018 Chateau de Berne £13.49 Waitrose
Founder of Wine Events Scotland, Diana recommends these wines to stock up on for sunny weather.
Diana says: "False Bay Whole Bunch Cinsault Mourvèdre Rosé 2019 from South Africa is currently on special offer at Great Grog for £6.64. It’s fantastically good value for essentially a beautifully pure and clean wine bursting with summer fruits.
"It's refreshing and dry, and Great Grog do free delivery on orders of £79 – a word of warning, 12 bottles of this wouldn’t last long!"
"The Chenin Blanc in this range is also excellent – lovely light fresh grapefruit and a hint of tropical fruit characteristics with a soft creamy finish."
Champagne Taittinger Reserve Brut NV is one for fizz fans. Diana says: "I spotted is on offer at Sainsburys at the moment for £25, reduced from £35 – again, if you fancy a superb Champagne this would be ideal,"
She continues: "Espera Primitivo Puglia IGT - £7.99 launches tomorrow at Lidl and is an excellent red wine– big rich, full of flavour and balanced tannins. Definitely one for the BBQ."
"The Phebus Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza 2013, Argentina (£13.00) is certainly one of my favourites of the line up – so much so we bought a case of it. Jonathan at Woodhouse Wines is offering delivery for £5."
Ben Revell, founder of Winebuyers shares his top rose wine picks and says: "For many of us, pink wine in glasses is a signal that summer is on its way.
"From pretty peach to striking salmon pink, rosé is light, fruity and low in tannins making for a very drinkable wine and a great partner for light food, especially in the warmer weather."
French Rosé
Puech Haut Prestige Rose 2018, £19.50
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Grapes: Grenache, Cinsault
ABV: 13%
Ben says: "As spectacular on the palate as it is in the bottle, pretty, vibrant notes of white peach, white flowers and salty minerality all emerge from the 2018 Prestige Rosé. A wine of real impact and drama, it stays balanced and layered on the palate and is an incredibly versatile rosé to drink."
Chateau L’afrique, Famille Sumeire, Cotes De Provence Rosé, France, 2018, £19.99
Region: Provence
Grapes: Syrah, Shiraz, Grenache
ABV: 13%
"A very pale rosé, which is both bright and beautiful in the glass, it exhibits nuances of rosewood, with an intense and rich perfume of crisp apples and passionfruit. A gentle and refreshing style of rosé, which instantly recalls memories of sunshine and deck chairs."
UK Rosé
Aldwick Estate - Mary's Rose 2018, £12.00
Region: Somerset
Grapes: Pinot Noir, Solaris, Regent
ABV: 11.5%
Ben recommends this wine from Somerset and says: "Salmon pink in colour, with lychees and soft red fruits on the nose, this is an aromatic and dry rosé. With light citrus flavours and a hint of pineapple on the palate, this wine is produced on the Aldwick Estate in North Somerset, where they have been producing wine since 2013. A wonderful rosé to sit back and relax with in the warm English sunshine."
The team at Tuscan winery, Monterosola suggest one of their wines to enjoy in the sunny weather - something they're experts on.
“Cassero is the perfect summer wine for a relaxed al-fresco aperitivo with friends. We often start evenings with a chilled glass of it while enjoying the early evening sun and preparing dinner.
“Cassero is a young, easy-drinking youthful wine that compliments lighter dishes such as freshly grilled tuna or swordfish served with lemon.”
Scran episode 15: Secrets of a wine connoisseur - with Diana Thompson
