What did you choose to drink this summer?
By Jennifer Short
Vice-Chair, Events & Activities Committee (and keen wine drinker)
The NLC Drinks List covers beers, wines and spirits and non-alcoholic alternatives for every occasion and to suit all tastes. Sharing a convivial glass with food or conversation is a great way to meet other members and their guests, and to discover what the Club can offer.
Over a hot summer, I enjoyed three white wines. These notes give my thoughts, but please try them and see what you think.
Pale, Delicate, Floral and Crisp category
Wairu River Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc 2024 – Marlborough, New Zealand £38
This wine is a typical NZ Sauvignon Blanc: grassy, gooseberries and tropical fruits, and also some blackcurrant-leaf aroma. At 13.5%, it is still bright and zesty, balancing ripe tropical fruit with crisp citrus and a clean, mineral finish.
This goes well with grilled prawns, fresh salads, or goat’s cheese, or just to drink on its own.
Mellow, Herbaceous, Mineral category
Conde Valdemar: Rioja Blanco 2024 (Verdejo / Viura) – Rioja, Spain (ENV) £30
This 12% wine has a fresh, herbal nose, notes of pear, stone fruit, and subtle floral hints. On the palate it is smooth, has fresh fruit notes and a long, pleasant finish. (Viura grape is the same as Macabeo used for cava so that flavour is hinted on the palate.)
A recommendation from The Wine Society suggests white Rioja goes well with seafood, raw and smoked fish, and cheeses like Manchego; also gazpacho and Spaghetti Puttanesca!
Cà dei Frati: ‘I Frati’ Lugana Turbiana 2024 – Lake Garda, Italy £44
This 13% wine is pale yellow in colour, with a concentrated and fresh perfume of honeysuckle, apricot, spice and candied fruits. The palate has excellent depth and balance, with a crisp, saline finish.
This is a versatile wine, which pairs with a range of light foods and dishes. Its trademark acidity and slight bitterness cuts through and complements most fats. Cà dei Frati was recently a popular choice to go with oysters.
These three wines are from different countries, made with different grapes and from two different categories on the NLC List. There are many more good value wines to choose from as we move in to autumn, so please take your pick from the List and find something new to explore.
