Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier

FINALLY the summer seems to have arrived with a run of warm days. The barbecue has been on standby all week in my house and the heating has been turned off for the first time this year. Now I fully admit that summer drinking is a little more complicated in Ireland given how unpredictable our weather is, but warmer weather does demand a slight change in drinking habits.

Out go the tannic and overly alcoholic red wines and in come the Rosés and fragrant yet crisp white wines such as Clare Valley Rieslings, Albariños and more obscure wines such as Antao Vaz from the Alentejo (try the Esporao one or perhaps Monte de Peceguina whose red I featured last week).

I will do a feature on Rosé in a week or two but in the meantime I recommend Chateau de Sours which has lightened up its style a little and still tastes great. Watch out for Masi’s new rosé which is made from partially dried grapes, a little like their Ripasso wines.

Red wine does still go best with steak, whether from the barbecue or frying pan but I drink my summer reds a little cooler. Remember that room temperature is meant to be around 16-18C so don’t be afraid to cool the red wine a little which will bring out the fruit flavours, while not warming you up.

The Australians crack open the sparkling Shiraz red wine which is something of an acquired taste but should be experienced at least once. Don’t forget Lambrusco which is the original sparkling red but make sure it is at least 8% alcohol and go for the Amabile (medium) style rather than the secco if you have a choice — try the Bubble Brothers Lombardini Amabile at €8.99 from the English Market or online.

The selection of picks this week is three Aussies to spend some quality time with and three supermarket specials that should brighten up your weekend.

Heron’s Nest Cabernet Sauvignon Pinotage 2011 — €8.50 (was €17)

Stockist: Dunnes Stores

This is marked at half price but I’m not sure that €17 was ever its real price. At €8.50 however it is worth every penny — bright fresh blackcurrant and plum nose with soft fruit on the palate and a light fresh style. Serve this a little cooler to bring out the fruit and I suggest some lamb and cumin flavoured kofta kebabs as a good match.

Laurent Miquel Nord Sud Viognier, Languedoc — €10.50-€12.99

Stockist: Dunnes Stores, SuperValu

Dunnes have this on offer at €10.50 so I hope you will forgive me for putting it in the under a tenner category as that extra fifty cents buys you a lot of peachy fruit flavours and creamy ripe fruit. Green apples also enter the mix of flavours and the finish is crisp and satisfying.

Domaine de Joy Etoile, Cotes de Gascogne — €8.99 (was €10.99)

Stockist: O’Briens

Cotes de Gascogne white wine is probably my favourite warm weather wine especially if Colombard is the dominant grape (as here). Originally this region grew grapes for Armagnac brandy but now they produce tons of fragrant, crisp, food-friendly whites like this one. If there is a better wine for barbecued fish I haven’t found it.

16 Stops Shiraz, McLaren Vale — €12.99

Stockists: Matsons Bandon; O’Donovans, Bradleys, Cork; Eldons, Clonmel; Florries, Tramore; Next Door, Raheen; World Wide Wines, Waterford

Many an Aussie Shiraz would be just too intense for summer drinking but the 16 Stops manages to be both fleshy and fruity while still tasting fresh and clean with solid black fruits and good acidity. Keep the bottle out of the sun and serve at around 15 degrees.

Willunga Grenache, McLaren Vale — €15.99

Stockists: O’Briens Dublin, Athlone and Cork; 1601, Kinsale; Florries, Tramore; World Wide Wines, Waterford.

Grenache grows remarkably well in the warm Mediterranean style climate of McLaren Vale near Adelaide. This spends some time in old oak to round it out and has a lovely spicy red fruit character on the nose and on the palate and should be lovely with some barbecued meats.

Tim Adams Riesling, Clare Valley — €14.99

Stockist: Tesco

Tim Adams Clare Valley Riesling is a bone fide classic of its type with green apples, lime zest and a bright mineral aroma mixed with just a faint hint of petrol. Some tropical fruit comes through in the centre and it finishes crisply with flavours of limes and washed stones. Summer perfection.