Every year I vow to continue barbecuing throughout the colder months. As I can park my kettle grill right outside the back door it shouldn’t be difficult. Yet as soon as the weather turns, like most people, I ignore it for the next six months. So today, as schools reopen, the last barbecue wines of 2021 – unless we enjoy an Indian summer.
Dunnes Stores has built up a very good range of French wines, including many imported directly. Its range includes bottles from two of my favourite French producers, Gérard Bertrand and Laurent Miquel.
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Source of Joy 2020, Languedoc Rosé, Gerard Bertrand, Organic, €16
Source of Joy is a richer, more rounded style of rosé, with abundant ripe strawberry fruits balanced nicely by a crisp, refreshing acidity. This would be perfect with barbecued fish, prawns or chicken.
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Château Cazal Viel 2017, St Chinian Vieilles Vignes, Laurent Miquel, €12
Big and powerful, with masses of ripe dark fruits and a very attractive spiciness. This would go perfectly with a barbecued steak, gourmet burger or spicy lamb kebabs. This delivers way above its modest price tag.