Waitrose Summer Fizz
Camel Valley Brut
Hailing from Cornwall is the esteemed Camel Valley. They were the first English wine maker to receive the royal warrant and a simple taste ought to give you an idea why. This is their flagship wine; a fresh, fruity sparkling that will make you think twice about choosing Champagne. A rich bouquet of toast, fruit and honey is matched on the palate along with refreshing acidity, peach and lemon. A great wine to enjoy on its own or with food.
Valdo Elevantum Prosecco DOCG
This is a bit of a classic at Waitrose but well worth bringing to your attention if you like Prosecco but haven't yet tried this. A lovely dry palate is brought together with crisp, green apple, floral and citrus notes with a little nutty complexity that make this a Prosecco that genuinely stands out. It's got the quality and it is not shy about showing it. Perhaps less well suited to food, it is still a great aperitif or evening cooler.
Waitrose BBQ Reds
Montidori Sangiovese
Sangiovese is the grape behind super Tuscans and Chianti, this wine simply comes from Emilia Romagna so cannot use the name. Nonetheless, it stands out thanks to the use of the appassimento method, where the grapes are dried before pressing to concentrate sugars, flavour and tannin, giving it a silky, rich nature with a load of flavour. This makes it a truly excellent red grilled meat's partner!
Secret Cellar Shiraz / Grenache
The Secret Cellar range focuses on South African winemaking and this is a great showcase of what they can do with a traditional Rhone blend on the Western Cape. Soft, fruity, velvety and spicy, this is built for BBQs and food. You'll also pick up a nice dose of black pepper from the Shiraz which is really the hallmark of a good Rhone blend. For £10 and under, this is fantastic value.
Waitrose Summer Whites
Domaine Chatelain Pouilly-Fume
The first time I came across Domaine Chatelain was with thier Sancerre which was delicious, so this seemed like the natural next step. And really, it is classic Pouilly-Fume with bright, crisp Sauvignon notes balancing the intense fruit and smoky whiff on the finish. A nice mineral, flinty character pervades throughout too. This is particularly good value from this appellation and you'd be mad to miss it.
Denbies Surrey Gold
Another Engish wine, and why not? Waitrose have a really really good English range that deserves a whole other article. This white has some history being first produced in 1990! It's a typical English-climate friendly grape blend of Müller-Thurgau, Ortega and Bacchus which produce a delicate, floral and fragrant wine with elderflower, lemon and spice. Great for sipping in the sun whilst enjoying complexity.
Waitrose Best Roses For Summer
Esprit de Buganay Provence Rose
Provence Rose was likely always going to make this list as the good ones manage to hit that delicate yet flavoursome spot perfectly. This one is a Waitrose favourite, with strong fruit flavour and a good texture that can occasionally lack in Rose wines. Find strawberry, raspberry, cranberry and cherry uplifted with a gentle spice. The finish is long and will leave you wanting more.
Bolney Estate Foxhole Rosé
Something a bit different is this predominantly Pinot Noir Rose from another English producer. It is a much jucier style with strawberry, raspberry, pear and honey. It still manages to retain that fresh, fragrant feel that makes Rose so appealing, but it just feels like it has more if you enjoy extra flavour. A little touch of sweetness on the finish caps it off nicely.
