Conjure up the perfect picture of an Irish garden in summer. It most likely includes the low hum of chatter and laughter, the aroma of barbeque wafting on the breeze and the joyous sound of a cork or two popping.
As temperatures rise but social distancing guidelines remain, we’ll all be doing a lot more of this over the summer months: al fresco entertaining, hosting friends and family in gardens, balconies and backyards around the country.
And let’s face it, what’s not to love about some at home rest and relaxation: no jostling at the bar, queuing for the loos or arguments over where to go next. Creating the perfect party ambience requires very little effort – and it’s about the company, after all. A socially responsible drink or two with some delicious barbequed meats, oozing cheeses or summer salads will have your friends begging for a return invite.
We have chosen four white wines from Lidl's Premium Winemaker's Selection range, carefully crafted by expert winemakers
Here we have chosen four white wines from Lidl’s Premium Winemaker’s Selection range, carefully crafted by expert winemakers across the globe from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, that will lend themselves well to the perfect summer soiree. We’ve matched each of these wines with dishes you can serve to your guests as the temperatures soar.
The wine: South African Premium Fairtrade Chenin Blanc, 13%
The price: €8.99
Wine rating: 85 out of 100. Very good – a wine with special qualities.
The taste: Well over 90 per cent of the wine made in South Africa comes from the Western Cape and chenin blanc is one of the most widely planted varieties of grapes in South Africa. As they age, the wines made from chenin blanc develop a golden colour and attractive, honey aromas.
Swartland is known as an excellent source of chenin blanc which is rounded, balanced and understated but tasty and appetising. Growers are making great use of its versatility to produce delicious wines in both sweet and dry styles. There are notes of honey and citrus fruit to be found in this wine.
Goes well with: This Chenin Blanc is perfect with pasta primavera, garlic prawns, prawns pil pil or Lidl's Deluxe Spanish chorizo. Enjoy it with poultry also – it's a delicious accompaniment to roast chicken or a mild chicken curry. Vegetarians can sip it alongside a korma or a chickpea burger. Some of the best cheese pairings include Lidl's Chene d'Argent Brie wedge, or a grilled goat's cheese. Fish always partners well with chenin blanc so consider some oven baked seabass or shallow fried Thai fishcakes.
The wine: Australian Premium Chardonnay, 12.5%
The price: €7.99
Wine rating: 87 out of 100. Very good – a wine with special qualities.
The tastings: Coonawarra in South Australia is a narrow strip of land, just 15km wide by 1.5km long. Despite that, it has a reputation as one of the new world's most remarkable terroirs, lying 400km southeast of Adelaide. Its vineyards are cooled by breezes coming from the Southern Ocean and cold currents travelling from the Antarctic means the maritime climate is moderate. These temperatures are ideal for growing the crisp, fresh chardonnay grapes that come from this region, and which make this wine. There are honeyed fruits to be found here along with notes of spicy oak. This is a delicate yet fresh and tasty tipple.
Goes well with: This wine is versatile enough to be drunk on its own or served as an aperitif before dinner – it's perfect for an evening spent outdoors catching up with friends. Sip it while munching on some salty nibbles like posh crisps, pretzels or peanuts, with dips on the side. For a more substantial snack or fancier finger food, try grilling some chicken skewers and serving them with a chunky peanut satay. However, this wine can really be brought to life when enjoyed with fish dishes such as a creamy smoked salmon and chive pasta, or oven baked hake.
The wine: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Awatere, 12.5%
The price: €9.49
Wine rating: 90 out of 100. Outstanding – a wine with superior character and style.
The taste: New Zealand is a wine producing country best known for its Sauvignon Blanc and the Awatere Valley is said to produce the finest sauvignons in the Marlborough region. The Awatere region is drier, cooler and windier than its larger neighbour, the Wairau Valley, and as a result the sauvignon blanc from here has a higher acidity with a pronounced herbaceous character.
Sauvignon blanc accounts for the majority of the wine production in this region. Known for its intense flavours of elderflower, this wine is a bold, exuberant, and flavoursome example of sauvignon. Dry, authentic and aromatic, it has an impressive intensity of flavour. The finish is long and there is a lovely aftertaste of asparagus. It is a highly aromatic, intensely flavoured and expressive sauvignon. Full bodied with crisp acidity, it’s an all-round summer time favourite.
Goes well with: Try this wine with any fish including flavoursome Thai fishcakes, or beer battered fish and chips. Grill some prawns on a barbeque and serve with crusty bread. It matches remarkably well with Lidl's Chene d'Argent Soft French Goat Cheese, served on Rivercote Premium Scalloped Crackers. Or try it with feta cheese in a Greek salad, bursting with summer flavours including Lidl's Deluxe olives, cucumber, juicy tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil. It's also delicious paired with an easy supper of chicken Kiev, oozing garlic butter and making us nostalgic for summers of old.
The wine: New Zealand Pinot Gris Premium Gisborne, 12.5%
The price: €8.29
Wine rating: 85 out of 100. Very good – a wine with special qualities.
The taste: Over the years, wine producers in New Zealand have been playing around with aromatic varieties such as riesling and the semi-aromatic pinot gris. There is enormous potential for these wines, and wine makers are particularly proud of their pinot gris, a grape that produces wines with a pinkish tinge and notes of spice to balance the juicy fruit. Ranging from dry to sweet, this pinot gris has pinkish, pear scented fruit, is juicy, and just off-dry. It's perfectly refreshing on a balmy summer evening.
Goes well with: This wine works well as a stand-alone tipple on a warm summer's evening. To pair with food, look to the east and try it with salmon teriyaki. For some added heat, pad Thai noodles work well. For the vegetarian or vegan guest, try with a tofu sweet and sour curry, bursting with summer vegetables such a peppers, red onions and mushrooms. Dover sole pan fried on the bone in butter and capers, served with some roast garlic and rosemary potatoes on the side will impress even the more discerning of your foodie friends.
Lidl's Winemaker's Selection is available now at Lidl stores nationwide. lidl.ie/winemakers
