SUMMER DRINKS GUIDE

From experimental drops to the best of the low-alcohol world, SAMANTHA PAYNE presents the most refreshing sips of the season.

- SAMANTHA PAYNE

Bright colours, eye-catching labels, interesting flavour combinations, and drinks that are equal parts fun and delicious is what we’re aiming for this summer. After a year that was, for many of us, far from fun, it’s time to shake things up. Bring back a mid-week cocktail hour with new and exciting Australianproduced bottled cocktails, explore experimental whites and lesser-seen varieties like aligoté and musque, or crunchy, chill-them-down reds like gamay. Even the sans alcohol world is pushing the boundaries with refreshments that are so enticing you won’t miss the buzz.

WHITES AND LIGHTS

1 2020 Mac Forbes EB63 ‘Princess Leia’ Aligoté, King Valley, Vic, $30

The first release of aligoté under Mac’s Experimental Batch range from King Valley-sourced fruit shows the appeal for growing this variety in Australia. Known as the “secret sister” to chardonnay, expect a medium-bodied white with loads of texture that will work wonderfully with a giant Boxing Day-leftovers sandwich. macforbes.com

2 2016 Little Frances Semillon, Lake County, California, $36

In 2012, Aussie winemaker Erin Frances Pooley (aka “Little Frances”) set out to make easy-drinking and approachable wines from Californian grapes – and has been ever since. Exclusively using grapes from Luchsinger Vineyards, this semillon is lush and more fruit weighted than previous vintages, bursting with yellow peaches, Meyer lemons and a hint of makrut lime leaf. littlefrances.com.au

3 2013 Bollinger ‘B13’ Champagne, Reims, France, $250