A quick post with some fun sipping suggestions to put you in the mood for summer, although this glorious weather might’ve beaten me to it! 

Small is beautiful 

Two portable options for Bordeaux on the go this summer

Yes Bordeaux Can 

French Can Can is a range of rosé red and white AOC Bordeaux in  25cl ‘canettes’ or cans. Retailing at €4. The rosé is 80% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon ; the Bordeaux Blanc 50% Muscadelle, 40% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Sémillon ; and the red 70% Merlot, 20% Petit Verdot and 10% Cabernet-Sauvignon. Made by Vignobles Raguenot at their Château de Tortes in Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux, where they also make Crémant, and 0% alcohol ‘Tip Top’ alongside the classic range.  

Baby Bonnet 

Mini 25cl bottles with a cap inspired by beer bottles, but much cuter, with bright pink and sunny yellow crown caps and labels that capture the summer vibe. An elegant and delicious addition to any picnic from Château Bonnet in the Entre-deux-Mers. A modern take on a Bordeaux classic.

  

Blanc de Noirs 

I suggested  two ‘blanc de noirs’ in last year’s summer round up, from Chateau de la Dauphine and Chateau Paloumey. I’ve found another one to add to the list. This Blanc de Noirs is from Château Dufort Vivens classified growth in Margaux. It’s an unusual blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Muscadelle and, as such, of course it’s a Vin de France. Organic and biodynamic, as you’d expect from this dedicated to biodynamics and agroforestry.  

Red, red, red 

I discovered the blanc de noirs above at Château Haut Bages Liberale in Pauillac. The owners of the two properties are spouses, so they’re keeping it in the family. Château Haut Bages Libérale is also an excellent source of rosé from an 8ha plot of Haut-Médoc vines. From this same plot, owner-wine maker Claire Villars Lurton produces a 100% Merlot with no added sulphites. Bright and fruity, this one is to drink now, slightly chilled, it’s perfect for summer. Certified organic and managed in agroecology it’s called CERES after the Roman goddess of agriculture and fertility, The gorgeous label (I do love a good label) is signed by landscape artist François Houtin, and shows an ancient vine climbing up an old ash tree. 

Sweet 

Another no-added-sulphur wine, in a completely different style: 

Le 5 from Château Sigalas Rabaud, classified growth of Sauternes. A semi-sweet, deliciously fruity wine, perfect as an apéritif. Owner-winemaker, Laure de Lambert serves it with a couple of ice cubes and a twist of orange peel. The perfect Bordeaux cocktail. 

Rosé 

Another Left Bank rosé to add to your summer collection is the Rosé from Château de Malleret.This Cru Bourgeois Exceptionnel in Haut-Médoc also produces a delicious white alongside it’s classic reds, including a tiny production of Margaux. The 2024 Rosé is an original blend of 50% Petit Verdot and 50% Cabernet Sauvignon.

If you’re calling in – and you really should the cellars are stunning – pick up some olive oil made from their own Olive trees. In true Bordeaux style, it’s a blend of Aglandau and Clermontaise Olives with a touch of Cayon and of course, it’s vintage.

  

A sparkling Summer  

Crémant, of course (my new favourite is the Blanc de Blancs from Château Bauduc – I’m very fickle)  but here’s one with a difference. The ever-inventive Courselle sisters at Château Thieuley have an original summer red (part of their wide range). I’m already a fan of their Crémant de Bordeaux and their Petille, a sparkling 100% Merlot red, is made using the same ‘méthode traditionnelle’. Sold as Vin de France Rouge Petillant, it’s aged on its lees in bottle for 12 months. Bordeaux’s answer to Lambrusco? Perhaps – but drier. Slightly chilled, it’ll add an original sparkle to your summer. As far as I know, it’s the first (only?) red ‘méthode tradtionelle’ made in Bordeaux’.  

Half Juice, half wine

Yet another innovation from Marie and Sylvie Courselle responds to the demand for lower-alcohol wines. Tendre Sauvage is 100% Sauvignac, a cross between Sauvignon, Riesling and Vitis, resistant to Mildew and Oidium, reducing the need for treatments and their carbon footprint. Just 8 %, alcohol, but 45 g/L residual sugar, as they use cold to halt the fermentation. Slightly sweet, fruity and fun, the packaging is a nod to their Sauvage range.

Boxed in

I do love a box of chilled rosé on tap in my fridge for the summer, light to transport, with a low carbon footprint and convenient to pour. My favourite BIB Rosé remains La Petite Lestrille from Chateau Lestrille in the Entre-deux-Mers. The 2L boxes have a summery design that perfectly reflects the eco-credentials of the estate. 

Cheers to a beautiful summer – do let me know what Bordeaux you’re drinking. 

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And as you’re asking, that’s a picture of the Atlantic Ocean off the Médoc coast.

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