Turns out I was absolutely spot on when I said earlier I would jinx the weather. I mean it was hot and sunny a few hours ago and now it’s ‘gather two of every animal and build an ark’ time. All the windows in my house were open due to the heatwave and now at least three rooms are partially flooded. I would like a glass of wine please.
This was meant to be a ‘what to drink in this heat’ kind of a post and I guess it still is very hot outside (and wet, and humid). Lets just hope the sun will make a confident return soon if only so I can dry all the towels I used to mop up the wet floorboards (sigh).
When it comes to summer drinking there’s nothing I like more than a crisp, dry Prosecco. I actually much prefer Prosecco to champagne (which tends to give me headaches) and of course it is much more approachable price-wise. It is also excellent as a cocktail mixer – will post some easy Prosecco cocktails soon. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Conegliano Prosecco is a great choice – light, fruity, dry and very drinkable. It retails at around £7-11 – you can always tell when it is on offer as the shelves are pretty much completely bare!
While red wines are not really considered summer fare it’s always good to have a choice bottle hidden away for any red wine lovers dropping by. I am normally very much a dry white wine drinker, but this Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Priorat is so lovely it is now a regular on my shopping trolley (or online order). It’s a very smooth wine – no hint of chewy tannins here – plummy and rich. It retails for £11 and worth every penny.
Sainsbury’s also send me their Portuguese Vinho Verde to review. This was not really my bag – it is a very light, fruity wine with a hint of sparkly fizz to it. It would probably go down very well at a picnic, served very chilled, and at £4.75 you can afford to get a few bottles. I actually much prefer it in a White Wine Sangria – a perfect drink for sunny BBQs and al fresco dining.
Ingredients
Serves 6-8
1 bottle Sainsbury’s Portuguese Vinho Verde (or any light, fruity, white wine)
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 orange sliced thinly
1 lime sliced thinly
1 lemon sliced thinly
Small piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced thinly
480ml | 2 cups ginger beer
120ml | 1/2 cup vodka (optional)
Method
1. Add the wine, fruit slices, lemon juice and ginger in a large jug and keep chilled.
2. Just before you are ready to serve add the vodka (if using) and ginger beer and stir.
3. Serve the sangria in tall glasses or jars with plenty of ice, straws optional.
I was sent a selection of Sainsbury’s wines to review. All opinions are my own.
Natalie Crossan says
Mmmm fantastic – love a fab tipple!! x
GW78 says
Ooh thanks for the Prosecco tip, I've added it to my shopping list as it's on offer right now 😀
prwilson says
Love the jars.
Librarian Lavender says
I love sangria, it's perfect for a hot summer evening!