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tipples
Chill that crunchy Loire red
I absolutely love eating outside. While on
holiday abroad is there anywhere else to eat?
Now that summer is here we can all dine al
fresco here in lovely West Berkshire. Obviously,
sales of rosé and white wine predominate in
summer, but nothing quite beats a chilled red
on a hot night and this is just the one to try.
Domaine Mortier is a small, nine-hectare
vineyard located in the Saint Nicolas de
Bourgeois AOC, in the Loire valley. The two
brothers Fabien and Cyril Boisard started
Domaine du Mortier nearly 10 years ago
and have been making outstanding wines
from the start.
They are
passionate about
developing the
life of the soil and
plant crops within
their vineyard
to enhance the
diversity of the soil
and the flavours
found in the wine.
This is a very
practical method
to promote eco-diversity to
create stunning wines.
Absolutely perfect with cold
cuts and barbecued burgers.
£18 a bottle from
GrapeSmith, Hungerford
Whispering Angel,
Provence Rosé
One of the great classic
wines from Provence, if you
are after a brilliant wine that
is refreshing with smooth
strawberry flavours then this
is the wine for you.
Being a Provence Rosé it will have the
beautiful salmon pink colour that we look for
and will be crisp and dry to boot.
Partner with a picnic and you can do no wrong.
Not cheap but just gorgeous.
£24 a bottle from Majestic, Newbury
Heart of the Barossa, Shiraz,
Dandelion Wines
There’s nothing like a
good rich Barossa
Shiraz in the great
outdoors.
This is a wine made
from parcels of old
vines where the
dandelions have been
left to grow unhindered
(providing weed control
and then mulch). The
wine is terrific.
Intense crimson with
youthful purple hues.
Generous, mouth-filling
sweet blackberries, raspberries and plums
cover the palate with lashings of sweet spice.
Firm but fine tannins and dark chocolaty
nuances continue throughout the lengthy
palate with a youthful finish. Yummy!
£14.95 a bottle from Inn at home, Newbury
Naked Gin, 40%
On a hot summer’s
evening a good stiff gin
and tonic is a must. And
here’s just the gin to try.
Exclusive to The Naked
Grape and to their own
recipe, this smooth
textured London dry gin
is the one to be drinking
this season. Juniper and
citrus fruits abound, with
a subtle and refined wide
palate of flavour that really sets this gin apart.
£29.99 a bottle from The Naked Grape,
Hungerford
2016 Touraine Sauvignon,
Domaine de la Bergerie
A lovely, grassy Sauvignon
just perfect for sitting in the
garden at the end of the day.
Domaine de la Bergerie is a
family estate run by siblings
Rodolphe and Ludivin.
The domaine’s holdings
include 15 prime hectares of
Sauvignon Blanc, growing
on southern exposed,
flint and pebble plots,
overlooking the river Cher.
A very pale, lemon-green
colour, this 2016 Touraine
Sauvignon is wonderfully
aromatic, combining notes
of floral elderflower with ripe
greengage and gooseberry.
Light and lively on the palate, this is a supple,
harmonious, silkily textured wine, which
positively dances over the palate. The finish is
zippy, fresh and satisfying.
£10.50 a bottle from Haynes
Hanson & Clark, Whitchurch
Summer Wheat Ale
500ml 5.5%
If you’re not sure what season
it is the label puts you right.
And this is all about summer
in a bottle showing lovely
balance and freshness. A
cracking unfiltered wheat bier.
Definitely one to try.
£3 a bottle from The Naked
Grape, Hungerford
Seeing as summer is in full swing, here are some top tips
for al fresco drinking for picnics and outdoors.
I would also like to welcome two newcomers to the Newbury
drinks scene – Inn at home in Newbury and GrapeSmith in
Hungerford, both of whom have great suggestions.
OA
food & drink