Summer is upon us, and it’s time to make the most of those long, sunny days. Whether you’re planning a BBQ, a garden party, or just a relaxed evening under the stars, Wine Rack has you covered with an incredible selection of drinks and weekly tasting events. Our summer blog is packed with exciting offers, fascinating facts about the season, and plenty of inspiration to help you enjoy the sun to the fullest. Let’s dive in!
Stock Up for Summer: Ciders and Pilsners
Summer and refreshing drinks go hand in hand, and we’ve got a fantastic range of ciders and pilsners to keep you cool. Here are some of our top picks:
Aspall Crisp Apple Dry Cider
Aspall’s Crisp Apple Dry Cider is a quintessentially British drink, perfect for those hot summer days. Made from a blend of bittersweet and culinary apples, it offers a refreshing and tangy flavour with a dry finish. Pair it with a fresh summer salad or a cheese platter for a delightful combination.
Cooking with Aspall Crisp Apple Dry Cider
Aspall Crisp Apple Dry Cider is not just for sipping; it’s also an excellent ingredient for cooking. Use it to braise pork chops or add it to a marinade for chicken to impart a subtle apple flavour. It’s also great for making a cider vinaigrette to drizzle over your favourite salads.
Sharps Offshore (New in Store)
Introducing Sharps Offshore, a new addition to our store that’s already making waves. This pilsner is brewed with a blend of European hops and Cornish spring water, delivering a crisp and refreshing taste. It’s the ideal beer for beach trips and outdoor adventures, and it goes wonderfully with grilled seafood or light appetizers.
Cooking with Sharps Offshore
Sharps Offshore Pilsner can be used to create a delicious beer batter for fish and chips. The light, crisp taste of the pilsner adds a wonderful flavour and texture to the batter. You can also use it as a base for a beer cheese dip, perfect for serving with pretzels and veggies.
Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant Cider
For something a little different, try Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant Cider. This fruity blend combines the crispness of apples with the rich, tangy flavour of blackcurrants, resulting in a deliciously refreshing drink that’s perfect for summer picnics and parties. Enjoy it alongside a fruit tart or barbecue chicken.
Cooking with Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant Cider
Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant Cider is fantastic for making a fruity glaze for grilled meats. Use it to create a reduction sauce with a touch of honey and rosemary for a sweet and tangy finish on pork or chicken. It can also be used to poach fruits like pears or apples for a delicious dessert.
Perfect Picks for Your Summer Celebrations
Our drink selection is second to none, and we have some excellent choices to elevate your summer gatherings.
Tanqueray Rangpur
Tanqueray Rangpur is a unique gin infused with Rangpur limes, ginger, and bay leaves, creating a zesty and slightly spicy flavour profile. It’s fantastic in a classic gin and tonic or as a base for creative summer cocktails. Try it with a seafood dish or a citrusy dessert.
Cooking with Tanqueray Rangpur
Tanqueray Rangpur can be used to make a refreshing gin marinade for seafood. Combine it with lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs to marinate shrimp or fish before grilling. You can also use it to create a tangy gin and lime sorbet for a cool summer treat.
Cointreau Liqueur
Cointreau is a versatile orange liqueur that shines in a variety of cocktails. It’s the star ingredient in our Cocktail of the Month, the “Marmalade Mule” – a refreshing mix of Cointreau, ginger ale, and a squeeze of lime, offering a citrus twist on the classic mule. Pair this cocktail with spicy Asian dishes or grilled shrimp.
Cooking with Cointreau
Cointreau can add a delightful citrus flavour to many dishes. Use it to flambé crepes for a classic Crepes Suzette or add a splash to your orange sauce for duck. It’s also great in baking, adding a burst of orange flavour to cakes and desserts.
Bumbu Rum
Bumbu Rum is a must-try for any spiced rum fans. With its rich, smooth flavour and notes of vanilla, caramel, and banana, it’s perfect for sipping neat or mixing into tropical cocktails. Enjoy it with a slice of banana bread or a rich chocolate dessert.
Cooking with Bumbu Rum
Bumbu Rum can be used to create delicious rum-based sauces and desserts. Make a rum caramel sauce to drizzle over ice cream or pancakes, or use it to create a rich rum cake. It’s also fantastic in marinades for grilled pineapple or in a tropical fruit salad.
Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith London Dry Gin is crafted with a blend of ten botanicals, resulting in a bold and aromatic gin. It’s the ideal choice for a classic gin and tonic, and it pairs beautifully with Fever Tree Indian Tonic. Complement this gin with a charcuterie board or some smoked salmon.
Cooking with Sipsmith London Dry Gin
Sipsmith London Dry Gin can be used to create a gin and tonic jelly, a fun and sophisticated dessert. It’s also great for deglazing pans when cooking seafood, adding a botanical depth to the dish. Try using it in a gin-infused ceviche for a refreshing summer appetizer.
Cocktail of the Month: Marmalade Mule
This month’s featured cocktail is the Marmalade Mule – a delightful concoction perfect for summer. Combining Cointreau, ginger ale, and a squeeze of lime, this drink offers a refreshing citrus twist on the classic mule. Serve it over ice with a wedge of lime, and enjoy its vibrant, zesty flavours as you relax in the summer heat. This cocktail pairs wonderfully with light, spicy dishes like a Thai salad or ginger-infused desserts.
Wines to Celebrate Summer
No summer is complete without a selection of exquisite wines. Here are two of our top recommendations:
Whispering Angel
Whispering Angel is a renowned rosé from Provence, celebrated for its delicate aromas of strawberries and raspberries. Its crisp, dry finish makes it the perfect companion for light summer meals and lazy afternoons. Pair Whispering Angel with grilled vegetables, fresh seafood, or a summery pasta salad.
Cooking with Whispering Angel
Whispering Angel can be used to create a delightful rosé sangria, perfect for summer gatherings. It’s also excellent for poaching seafood, adding a subtle fruitiness to the dish. Use it in a vinaigrette for a summer salad or in a reduction sauce for chicken.
Nostra Delle Ven Blush
Nostra Delle Ven Blush is a delightful Italian rosé with a beautiful pink hue and flavours of red berries and citrus. It’s light, refreshing, and pairs wonderfully with salads, seafood, and grilled vegetables. Enjoy this wine with a Caprese salad or a platter of antipasti.
Cooking with Nostra Delle Ven Blush
Nostra Delle Ven Blush can be used to create a refreshing rosé sorbet. It’s also great for making a rosé reduction sauce for fish or chicken. Use it in a fruity vinaigrette or to poach summer fruits for a light dessert.
In-Store Tasting Events
Our in-store tasting events are a fantastic way to discover new favourites. Join us each week to sample a variety of drinks and learn more about what makes them special.
19th – 20th July
Rekorderlig Blackberry and Blackcurrant & Rekorderlig Raspberry and Peach Ciders
Rekorderlig’s fruit ciders are bursting with flavour. The Blackberry and Blackcurrant cider offers a rich, juicy taste, while the Raspberry and Peach cider is a sweeter, more delicate option. Both are perfect for summer sipping. Pair these ciders with fruity desserts or light, refreshing salads.
Cooking with Rekorderlig Ciders
Rekorderlig ciders are perfect for making fruity glazes for meats or for baking. Use the Blackberry and Blackcurrant cider to create a rich glaze for duck or pork, or the Raspberry and Peach cider to add a unique twist to a summer fruit cobbler.
Villa Maria Reserve Albariño
Villa Maria Reserve Albariño is a vibrant white wine from New Zealand, known for its intense flavours of citrus, peach, and melon. It has a crisp acidity that makes it a great match for seafood and light salads. Try it with ceviche or grilled scallops.
Cooking with Villa Maria Reserve Albariño
Villa Maria Reserve Albariño can be used to make a delicious wine sauce for seafood. Use it to deglaze the pan when cooking shrimp or to create a white wine reduction for fish dishes. It’s also great in a seafood risotto or paella.
Whispering Angel
As mentioned earlier, Whispering Angel is a top-tier rosé that’s perfect for summer. Don’t miss the chance to try this elegant wine at our tasting event.
26th – 27th July
Sharps Offshore Pilsner
Sharps Offshore Pilsner is a refreshing new addition to our range. Its crisp, clean taste makes it an excellent choice for sunny days and outdoor gatherings. Pair it with fish tacos or a light pasta dish.
Cooking with Sharps Offshore Pilsner
Sharps Offshore Pilsner can be used to create a beer-battered fish and chips. The light, crisp flavour adds a wonderful texture and taste to the batter. You can also use it in a pilsner cheese soup or to marinate chicken for grilling.
Sipsmith London Dry Gin & Bloom Gin (Served with Fever Tree Indian Tonic)
Both Sipsmith and Bloom gins are renowned for their quality and flavour. Paired with Fever Tree Indian Tonic, these gins make for a perfect summer G&T experience. Enjoy them with fresh oysters or a cheese platter.
Cooking with Bloom Gin
Bloom Gin’s floral notes make it perfect for a gin-infused sorbet or ice cream. You can also use it in a marinade for chicken or pork, adding a unique botanical flavour to your dishes. Try a splash in a gin and tonic jelly for a fun dessert.
Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba
Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba is a rich, full-bodied red wine from Italy, featuring notes of ripe red berries and a hint of spice. It’s perfect for pairing with grilled meats and hearty dishes. Try it with a juicy steak or a rich tomato pasta.
Cooking with Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba
Pio Cesare Barbera d’Alba is excellent for making a rich red wine sauce. Use it to braise beef or lamb for a deep, complex flavour. It’s also great in a red wine reduction for pasta
sauces or as a base for a beef stew.
Meerlust Red
Meerlust Red is a blend from South Africa, offering complex flavours of dark fruit, chocolate, and spice. Its smooth tannins make it a versatile wine for a range of summer dishes. Pair it with barbecue ribs or a meaty pizza.
Cooking with Meerlust Red
Meerlust Red can be used to make a delicious wine marinade for meats. Use it to marinate ribs or steak before grilling for a rich, smoky flavour. It’s also perfect for a red wine chocolate sauce to drizzle over desserts.
2nd – 3rd August
-196 Ready-to-Drink Cans: Grapefruit and Shochu & Lemon and Shochu
These fruity, refreshing ready-to-drink cans from -196 are perfect for summer. The Grapefruit and Shochu option offers a zesty, tangy flavour, while the Lemon and Shochu is bright and citrusy. Both are ideal for on-the-go enjoyment. Enjoy these with light snacks or a picnic spread.
Cooking with -196 Ready-to-Drink Cans
Use these fruity cans to make refreshing granitas. Simply freeze and scrape with a fork to create a light, icy treat. They can also be used in cocktails or as a base for a summer punch.
Cointreau
Cointreau is featured this month in our Marmalade Mule cocktail, but it’s also great on its own or in a variety of other cocktails. Its sweet, orange flavour is a summer favourite. Pair it with a citrusy dessert or a spicy stir-fry.
Cooking with Cointreau
Cointreau can add a delightful citrus flavour to many dishes. Use it to flambé crepes for a classic Crepes Suzette or add a splash to your orange sauce for duck. It’s also great in baking, adding a burst of orange flavour to cakes and desserts.
Quinta de Fonta’s Red & White
Quinta de Fonta’s Red is a robust wine with flavours of dark berries and subtle spices, while the White offers crisp, fresh notes of citrus and green apple. Both are excellent for different summer occasions. Enjoy the Red with grilled meats and the White with seafood or salads.
Cooking with Quinta de Fonta’s Wines
The red wine can be used in a hearty beef stew or as a base for a red wine reduction sauce. The white wine is perfect for cooking seafood dishes or for making a light, citrusy vinaigrette for salads.
9th – 10th August
Bumbu Rum
Bumbu Rum is perfect for fans of spiced rum. Its rich, smooth taste with notes of vanilla, caramel, and banana makes it a great choice for summer cocktails or sipping neat. Pair it with a tropical fruit salad or a rich chocolate cake.
Disaronno Velvet
Disaronno Velvet is a luxurious cream liqueur with the distinctive almond taste of classic Disaronno. It’s perfect for enjoying over ice or adding a creamy twist to your summer drinks. Enjoy it with a light, creamy dessert or biscotti.
Cooking with Disaronno Velvet
Disaronno Velvet can be used to make decadent desserts like tiramisu or almond-flavoured ice cream. It’s also perfect for adding to coffee or hot chocolate for a luxurious touch. Try it in a cream sauce for a unique twist on classic recipes.
Freixenet Italian Rosé
Freixenet Italian Rosé is a sparkling wine with delicate notes of red berries and a crisp, refreshing finish. It’s perfect for celebrations or simply enjoying on a warm summer evening. Pair it with smoked salmon or a berry tart.
Cooking with Freixenet Italian Rosé
Freixenet Italian Rosé can be used to make a refreshing summer sangria. It’s also great for poaching fruits or adding to a light, fruity sauce for desserts. Use it in a vinaigrette for salads or as a base for a festive punch.
Find Your Local Store and Discover More
Ready to explore these fantastic summer drinks? Visit our store locator to find your nearest Wine Rack. Don’t forget to check out our latest offers and make the most of your summer with Wine Rack.
Discover more with Wine Rack. Cheers!