The most social time of the year is upon us in the UK, and summer in Shropshire brings with it a distinct, undeniable magic. As the afternoons stretch into long balmy evenings, our thoughts turn to the pleasures of outdoor entertaining.
Whether it’s a casual picnic in the park, a sunny brunch in the garden, a barbecue on the patio, or a dinner party on the terrace, if you get it right, the defining element of any summer gathering remains the same: the opening of an exceptional, thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine.
With this in mind, Jo Hardy from the Private House & Corporate Sales team has compiled a list of her summer favourites. These are top quality, crowd-pleasing favourites chosen specifically to complement warmer temperatures - bottles that promise to refresh and delight your guests on a beautiful summer evening.
The Art of Al Fresco - Mixed Half Dozen
£104.75 £95
per half dozen
Jim Barry Assyrtiko, Clare Valley 2021
Assyrtiko is the grape of the moment and Jim Barry is a winemaking legend – an icon of Australia's Clare Valley. This wine is crisp and fresh with aromas and flavours of lemon, apple and passionfruit and a steely finish. It offers the crisp refreshment of a Sauvignon Blanc but with a richer, weightier texture. Pair assyrtiko with anything you’d eat on a Greek island: shellfish, grilled fish and octopus, salad with tomato, feta and olives, even lamb.
£25.50
per bottle
Pacto Palhete, Douro Tinto, Carvalho Martins 2023
Pacto Palhete has garnered significant attention this year, earning glowing press reviews in both The Telegraph and The Independent. This unique Douro red is a "Palhete," which is a traditional Portuguese style that co-ferments red and white grapes, yielding a light, fresh and highly drinkable red, best enjoyed lightly chilled. Because it’s light-bodied, low in tannins, and fruity, it excels alongside charcuterie boards, sushi, grilled sardines, tapas, and Mediterranean-style chicken.
£14.90
per bottle
Bleu d'Alba Albariño, Pays d'Oc 2025 (organic)
While Spanish Albariño is the traditional choice, this French expression is a must-try. It delivers exceptional value without compromising an ounce of the grape's signature character. The bottle alone radiates summer tablescaping, but what’s inside is even better: rich stone fruit flavours, a hint of salinity and zippy acidity. A summer favourite, this white wine is perfect with fish or light Mediterranean dishes. Produced from organically farmed vineyards, Bleu d’Alba captures the natural brightness and purity of Albariño.
£14.95
per bottle
Tanners Provence Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2025
Brand new for this summer, this rosé is beautifully crisp and concentrated with expressive fruit aromas. A silky and broad palate is characterised by exotic flavours and complemented by mineral freshness on the finish. The most successful Provence rosé food pairings rely on the "what grows together, goes together" maxim, matching the wine with the fresh, zesty flavours of southern France.
£17.95
per bottle
La Cabane Reserve Marsanne/Viognier, Pays d'Oc 2025
Viognier is my go-to summer wine – fresh and aromatic but also full-bodied. Made from Marsanne and Viognier grapes grown in the Languedoc countryside, La Cabane has notes of peach, nectarine and blossom. Viognier is one of the few white wines that thrive alongside food pairings with gentle heat and exotic spices. Suitable for all occasions, this one really represents the best of modern French wine.
£11.50
per bottle
Juliénas, Michel & Sylvain Tête, Domaine du Clos du Fief 2024
Beaujolais is almost always a winner with lighter summer food, but this one has a real crunch to it, making it an exceptional and versatile food pairing. As Juliénas is a Cru Beaujolais appellation, this wine has more weight to it than you might expect from a Beaujolais. You can pair it with roast chicken, pork chops, mushroom risottos, and tangy tomato-based pasta dishes. It can also be served lightly chilled, adding to its versatility. The maker Michel Tête is a third-generation winemaker whose wines can be found in many Michelin starred restaurants in France.
£19.95
per bottle
