Beaujolais and english summer wines

Is Beaujolais the best tipple for the summer?

Hopefully you have all been able to soak up the sun’s ever more frequent rays recently. For me, this period has always posed a rich variety of wine choices.

Should I go for a refreshing, acidic white, to quench my thirst, a fruity rosé, a lighter red, or on those more festive days, maybe even a sparkling wine. My thoughts have often been drawn to the lovely Beaujolais on these occasions, so I wished to write a brief entry about this particular French offering, plus some information on a number of Stanlake Park’s own summer wines.

A bit on Beaujolais

As an inhabitant of England, and a wine lover, this also gives me the perfect chance to talk on two of my favourite topics; wine and the weather.

I have started writing on 17th May, and this date seems the perfect illustration. It was warm yet slightly overcast. If you like to match your wine to the climate then this might not be hot enough for a refreshing white wine, nor cold enough for a heavier red. So, may I suggest: Beaujolais!

This is a light bodied, fruity red that makes it just perfect for this sort of occasion. It is a good match for the sun plus some cloud cover, and you’ll still have enough energy to continue your normal activities in the warm weather, even after a couple of glasses (although I would avoid anything too physical…).

This wine is made using the Gamay grape in the Beaujolais region, which is just south of Burgundy in France. For those who like a bit of drama, it also has a rather turbulent history. At one stage this involved the banning of the grape from Burgundy by Philip the Bold, and more recently a not-so-hot reputation. But do not let this put you off, this wine has so much to offer.

When choosing a bottle of this light red, it is useful to know a little more about what you are buying. Beaujolais wines fall into three different classifications; Beaujolais, Beaujolais-Villages, and Beaujolais Crus. These can give you a good general indication of quality with the Crus resting at the top. If you are looking to push the boat out a little more, then why not try a Fleurie or a Morgon, both more well known members of this top tier.

Stanlake Park Wines for Summer

I hope that this small insight into this superb red has interested you, and that it might grace your table in the near future! But now to my Stanlake Park suggestions…

One of the best alternatives for a Beaujolais is our The Reserve, a multi-vintage red wine which is not made with Gamay grapes yet it tastes very similar, with flavours of black and red cherries, a refreshing mouth and a very smooth, soft finish. The kind of red wine that you can sip endlessly without any food at all! And because it doesn’t have any harsh, astringent tannins, is a red wine that you can chill. So don’t hesitate if it’s quite warm outside: put that bottle in the fridge for half an hour and sit in your garden to enjoy a delicious English red wine!

If you think red wine is more suitable for a cooler day, that’s ok: we have a fantastic selection of wines perfect for the summer. My tips would be to try Stanlake Park’s Pinot Noir Rosé, which has a wonderful refreshing character, delicate red berries flavours and should be enjoyed well chilled.

You might also wish to treat yourself to a bottle of our gently oaked white, King’s Fumé, or if you’re searching for a crisp, fruity good value summer wine, then why not try the Regatta, one of our most food friendly white wines.

Whatever you choose, we hope that you find the perfect accompaniment to the summer months, and we look forward to seeing you at Stanlake Park in the future.