Drink

John Wilson: Two great bottles from Dunnes for the summer’s final barbecues

Wines for the Weekend: This rosé and red are from two of my favourite French producers

Wines for the weekend: Gérard Bertrand Source of Joy and Château Cazal Viel St Chinian Vieilles Vignes

John Wilson's face
John Wilson
Fri Aug 27 2021 - 11:00

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.

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.

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.