Club Vino

Club Vino’s Barbecue-season wine

Cheshire bassed sommelier and founder of Club Vino, Marco Castelanelli, gives us his top wine recommendations for the start of barbecue season.

Marco Castelanelli – Italian sommelier, ex-wine merchant and owner of Cheshire-based luxury wine tasting company Club Vino – has over 20 years of experience in the trade and a penchant for bringing each glass to life. Marco is passionate about the story behind each bottle and sharing these stories with his clients. Club Vino really is a brand incited by storytelling. So, read on to hear Marco's hand-picked selection of seven crisp, fresh wines to enjoy alongside the glorious spring sunshine.

A joyful white – Giddy Goose Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Wairarapa, New Zealand. Price: £15

A classic New Zealand, refreshing and aromatic. Giddy Goose shows a powerful nose of gooseberry, fresh limes, elderflower and passionfruit. The juicy gooseberry palate is full and elegant with refreshing minerality and grassy notes that linger on the finish. Try with seafood, sushi, salads or Thai dishes. This is everything you want from a New Zealand Sauvignon!

The floral sip – Picpoul de Pinet 2020, Domaine de Lauriers, Languedoc, France. Price: £18

A crisp, refreshing white wine made exclusively from the ancient Picpoul grape variety. The name Picpoul means ‘lip stinger’ on account of its zingy acidity. This is complemented by citrus, green fruit and white blossom characteristics. Perfectly pairs with oysters, salty seafood and seafood platters. Organic and aromatic –Pinot Gris 2017, Marc Bernhard, Alsace, France. Price: £22

A light-hearted red – La Caplana Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Guido Natalino, Piedmont, Italy. Price: £18

Barbera is an unusual grape variety. It is an early-maturing variety and its juice has a dark ruby colour with high acidity, wonderful berry-like aromas and flavours with gentle tannins. The fruit and crisp acidity of this Barbera wine go remarkably well with a wide range of dishes, pairing particularly well with strong meats, such as duck, goose and game. The Alsace region gives birth to some of the most aromatic and fruity Pinot Gris in the world. This Pinot Gris has a lively, fruity nose; mixing notes of lemon, white flowers, pineapple and yellow peach. The palate is dry and remarkably fruity, combining the saltiness and sap of a ripe wine with the freshness of a thirsty one. You will not be disappointed if you pair this with a sharp, spicy dish.

A supple apéritif – Kaapse Vonkel Brut 2019, Simonsig, South Africa. Price: £20

If you fancy trying something a little different from your typical sparkling wines, such as prosecco or Champagne, then this is probably your perfect port of call. This sparkling wine from the Stellenbosch region of South Africa will deliver delicious floral aromas with a lovely yeastiness. The Chardonnay grape adds a touch of citrus freshness and there are flavours of buttered toast and fresh bread with touches of roasted almonds in there too. A delicious apéritif.

A quirky red – Demuerte Classic 2018, Winery On, Yecla, Spain. Price: £22

If the weather is nice this spring and you fancy a barbecue on a sunny Sunday, then this is the perfect bottle to tantalize your tastebuds and impress your friends. Crafted by Winery On, located in Yecla, Spain, Demuerte Classic offers aromas of blackberry, blackcurrant and black pepper combined with hints of smoky coffee and flavours of cherry, blackberry, lavender and tobacco. This wine provides a wonderful lingering finish and is certainly a delicious wine. Enjoy. A sweet treat – La Morandina Moscato d’Asti 2020, Piedmont, Italy. Price: £12

A delicious, sweet and white wine; pale yellow in colour, the intensity of which varies according to the year. It is intensely fruity, aromatic and lingering and the sweetness is in balance with the low alcohol (5%) and the acidity level is just enough to give the liquid a pleasant freshness. A traditional dessert wine par excellence!

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If you are looking for the perfect selection of wines to accompany a spring barbecue, visit club-vino.co.uk/shop @club_vino_uk @club_vino_uk