Six breezy day drinkers to enjoy on a rainy afternoon
Turn grey rained in afternoons into the perfect excuse to savour some of our best day drinkers this monsoon season
The rained out months firmly divide those who savour them and those who can’t wait for dry days (no, not those). The monsoon season is essential to humanity but clearly not for everyone. Some look forward to it with genuine fervour while others see the incessant showers as unavoidable nuisance. Either way, these months will inevitably contain a few days when there’s no choice but to just stay in because it’s raining sheets and essential services are down. Not that one needs an excuse to open a bottle of wine at any time of day but if there was an easily justifiable one to pour one in the afternoon, well. So, for the day you do get rained in, we’ve got your vinous contingencies sorted. Have a generous taste of our delightful day drinkers and there’s some good stuff to browse – crisp and stone fruit driven rare Tuscan white blend – (our newest wine by the way), light and easy drinking Austrian Gruner Vetliner, cheery new world rose, natural sweet wines from the South African heartland and so much more. So make the most of being rained in this monsoon season with our bunch of refreshing day drinkers. Cheers!
Brancaia, IL Bianco 2021
Tuscany is prime red wine country at the heart of Italy so you’d think it bonkers that we’ve shipped in a white blend from the iconic region. But a single sip will convert you to an abiding fan of this crisp ferment minted in Tuscany’s sunny appellation by the house of Brancaia. This sprightly blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier dazzles with notes of grapefruit and mango, lifted by nice acidity and can even pair with your breakfast eggs, anyway you take them.
Apaltagua, Gran Verano, Chardonnay 2019
Chardonnay is the world’s most loved white wine for many good reasons and one of them is that drink pretty any time of day and this Chilean style comes good on that count. Vinified in Chile’s sun drenched Central Valley, this generously ripe turn of new world Chardonnay charms the palate with pleasing flavours of peaches and apple, and bright acidity capped by a clean finish – all the makings of a reliable day drinker.
Loimer, Gruner Veltliner Kamptal 2020
Austria in all likelihood is the rightful self-styled hub of day drinkers the innumerable light and fresh styles that the underrated European winemaking nation keeps surprising the wine world with. And this boutique expression of local Austrian star Gruner Vetliner nails the point. Vinified by owner winemaker and modern revolutionary Fred Loimer, this delectably easy drinking and fruit forward white tastes of lime, apples and spice, laced with minerality and has impressed the hell of Robert Parker, earning it a rare 91 points. So if it’s good enough for Mr Parker, perhaps you might slate the Gruner for opening, lunch time tomorrow?
Vinologist, Rosé 2019
Rose wines have always been known to start many an early weekend soirees so the pink wines definitely make it to the rainy day drinking list. And here’s one of the best of them, — the result of the vision of South African winemaking genius Marc Kent who wanted to create a set of wines that most naturally represent their region. This salmon pink wine is a fascinating blend of French noble grapes and boasts beautiful balance and notes of cherries and spice. The sight of generously filled glass of cool rose by itself can lifts the mood night or day.
Kara Tara, Pinot Noir 2019
Yes, red wines are good for the day too and for delightful proof, pour yourself this light and fruit forward Pinot Noir, produced in Elgin Valley which also happens to be South Africa’s coolest region. This elegant red is the labour of love of the lauded cool climate specialist Rüdger van Wyk and expresses flavours of cherries and strawberries with just a hint of spice and earthy tones leading to a soft finish. The lightly wooded Pinot is a great companion to an Oriental luncheon of Thai curry and dimsums – definitely a bright spot on a grey, rainy afternoon.
