July 2026 Case of the Month – Summer Sips

This selection brings together six bottles from across Europe that all share the same effortless, warm-weather charm and all made to be enjoyed over the summer months.

From the Loire Valley, Langlois Brut Rosé Crémant de Loire, made from Cabernet Franc – brings all the elegance of Champagne without the price tag. Dirk Niepoort’s Dry White Rabbit Port is one of the most underrated warm-weather drinks around – poured long over ice with tonic and a squeeze of lemon – it’s Portugal’s answer to the G&T. From the volcanic slopes of Etna, Terre Nere’s ‘Montalto’ Bianco 2019 brings saline minerality and stone fruit generosity in equal measure, while P&M Jacqueson’s Bourgogne Aligoté 2022 proves that Burgundy’s most underappreciated white grape deserves a permanent spot in the ice bucket. And when the sun starts to dip, two reds built for a chill,  Gai’a’s Monograph Agiorgitiko 2024, juicy and effortlessly drinkable straight from the Greek hills, and Il Carnasciale’s Ottantadue 2022, a Sangiovese that’s light on its feet – fun, fresh and full of personality.

Niepoort Rabbit Dry White Port

Part of Dirk Niepoort’s playful, Alice in Wonderland-inspired range, this is dry white port with real depth and seriousness behind the quirky label, aged for at least three and a half years in small old oak casks, made from a blend of indigenous white Douro grapes including Gouveio, Rabigato, and Viosinho. The result is deep, orangey-gold in the glass, with toasted almond, dried orange peel, apricot and a fresh, subtle chamomile and warm spice that gives the wine a lovely biter-sweet aftertaste.

Here’s the trick: white port carries natural sweetness and generous alcohol, both of which tonic water is perfectly built to handle. The quinine bitterness and fizz of the tonic cut straight through the richness, stretching the wine into something long, cold, and effortlessly drinkable, essentially Portugal’s answer to the gin and tonic. Pour over plenty of ice, add a wedge of lemon, and you have one of the most underrated warm-weather drinks – sophisticated, refreshing, and perhaps more interesting than anything else in your glass this summer. It’s hard to think of many wines at this price that are so unusual and so versatile, and once opened, it will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge.

Il Carnasciale Ottantadue 2022

Best known for Caberlot – a natural cross between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot –  Podere Il Carnasciale also makes this rather brilliant side project: a Sangiovese fermented in cement and aged in steel, an approach designed to highlight pure fruit and freshness rather than power or oak. The result, with a touch of whole-cluster fermentation, leans towards the lighter, more perfumed side of the variety. Bright, floral, and vividly expressive, almost Beaujolais-like in its energy with red cherry, raspberry that’s light enough for a slight chill and lively enough for grilled vegetables or charcuterie on the terrace. 

Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco ‘Montalto’ 2019

Marc de Grazia’s southern-slope answer to his more famous northern Etna whites, sourced from a tiny, ancient vineyard he discovered at 950 metres in the Montalto area above Biancavilla – full south-facing exposure, but high enough up the volcano that the altitude keeps everything fresh and electric. It’s graceful and floral with white peach, pineapple, and salted lemon adding texture and warmth that’s softer and fleshier than Carricante grown on Etna’s cooler northern face. The palate stays fresh and salty, with a real mineral essence running through the citrus and stone fruit, and a long, sapid, saline finish that is unmistakably volcanic. Serve it well chilled with grilled fish, a plate of seafood pasta, or simply on its own as the sun sets.

Gai’a Monograph Agiorgitiko 2024

Agiorgitiko, sometimes called the Pinot Noir of Greece, is one of those varieties that seems almost purpose-built for summer, and a red that thrives with a light chill. Sourced from low-yielding hill vineyards in the Nemea region at around 500 metres altitude, the cooler elevation keeps everything fresh and lifted, with ripe cherry, pomegranate, dried violet, and a subtle hint of dark chocolate on the nose. The palate is fruit-forward and medium-bodied, with soft, round tannins and a balanced acidity that make this dangerously easy to drink.

Langlois Brut Rosé Crémant de Loire

Owned by the Bollinger family and made with the same rigour and attention as the best Champagne, Langlois has been one of the Loire’s most quietly excellent sparkling producers since 1885, and this Brut Rosé is perhaps their most immediately joyful bottle. A blend led by Cabernet Franc with Pinot Noir and aged for 18 months on lees, longer than non-vintage Champagne requires. Full of bright red fruits, with a gentle creamy texture from its time on lees, and a clean, refreshing finish. It has none of the weight or price tag of Champagne, but all the elegance and finesse you want when the sun is out.

P&M Jacqueson Bourgogne Aligoté 2022

Pierre and Marie-Hélène Jacqueson are among the Côte Chalonnaise’s most quietly admired producers, based in Rully and farming their vines with a meticulous care that consistently produces wines punching well above their appellation. Aligoté in lesser hands can feel thin and anonymous but in Jacqueson’s hands it becomes something genuinely worth seeking out. The 2022 is bright and precise, with green apple, lemon zest, white blossom, and a chalky, nutty undertone. It’s medium-bodied, bracingly fresh, with a lively, mouthwatering acidity and a clean, mineral finish. Serve it well-chilled as an aperitif, with a plate of oysters or simple grilled fish – the kind of bottle that leaves everyone quietly wondering why they don’t drink more Aligoté.