Over the years we have become fairly experienced in the art of holidaying in the UK: we have rented cottages in Scotland, pitched tents in Wales and fought hornets in a treehouse in Devon. And one thing we’ve learnt is to always pack the car with the essentials – good wine and a decent corkscrew. Because when you arrive at 9pm after you’ve spent six hours fighting traffic and at least one hour circumnavigating the same village and fields with the elusive holiday cottage nowhere to be found, a good glass of wine is essential.
And searching the kitchen from top to bottom, only to discover that the cottage has no corkscrew and resorting to bashing the bottom of the bottle with the heal of your shoe, is not great for the stress levels.
In order to aid rest and relaxation we have put together a mixed case of six wines that we can deliver anywhere in mainland Britain within 48 hours. We can either send it to you to pack in the car or direct to the cottage your sat nav can’t locate.
Just remember to pack the corkscrew.
The case includes a selection of good value summer wines that will cover the cool, crisp glass of white for when the sun is shining and the more warming glass of red for when the evening chill takes hold.
2018 Mischief and Mayhem Bourgogne Aligote
Clean and crisp but with a good weight and a subtle tropical fruit finish. It may perhaps be a little too interesting for a classic Kir.
2019 Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Gavi
This is a bright, floral Gavi that has a lovely mineral and citrus core and goes down very easily on a warm afternoon.
2017 Istvan Szepsy Tokaji Furmint Estate
Furmint, in capable hands, can challenge Riesling and Chardonnay, and Istvan Szepsy’s hands are capable: this has complexity, balance, and backbone.
2015 Chateau Senejac Haut Medoc Cru Bourgeois
Well balanced with lots of red and black fruit and a touch of acidity on the finish this is a good quality everyday Bordeaux.
2016 Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio Scudetto Barbera d’Alba Superiore
Full, lush and with great concentration this is a wine that will go with most food but even more so with a barbecue.
2016 Davide Fregonese Etna Rosso Riserva
Made from a small, single vineyard plot of Nerello Mascalese the wine is more akin in colour to Pinot Noir or Nebbiolo. Red cherry on the nose with notes of liquorice and a light vanilla finish that is propped up with an earthy, herbal undertone. This is a wonderfully light, easy drinking red that doesn’t scrimp on complexity.