Bubbly summer with sparkling wine

In the summer heat, we crave wines that are light and refreshing. Heavier wines with high alcohol and low freshness make us feel even drowsier and overheated. Sparkling wine is therefore made for the summer. They are generally light, moderate in alcohol and the bubbles help enhance the freshness. This type of wine is enjoyed often with food. Further down, you will find some tips about which sparkling wines match better with the classic summer dishes from Norway.

Sparkling wines for seafood

Seafood is often consumed simply as it is or along with simple and light side dishes. In the absence of a heavy, greasy and intricate side dishes, youthful and simple sparkling wines when paired with a meal can work really well.

It is important however not to think that the wine is there solely to quench our thirst, it is much more pleasurable when the wine contributes another flavour dimension to the meal and helps enrich and lift the flavours of the food we are eating. The lightest and simplest sparkling wines, like Prosecco, come into their own when consumed with the mildest of dishes, such as plain shrimp for instance.

If eating a meal with a lot of richness and and complexity, for example, toast with shrimps, mayonnaise, lemon, dill and roe; then a more full-bodied, complex sparkling wine would be better suited. Cava, Crémant and Champagne would work perfectly in this case, or in other instances such as with seafood platters or grilled fish with potatoes etc.

Sparkling wines for light summer desserts

There is a wide range of sparkling wines that will compliment an array of light summer desserts.

Norwegian strawberries are a summer speciality, and many have heard about strawberries and Champagne. However, there are a few things to consider when pairing Champagne with strawberries. Since our palates adapt to the sweetness of what we are eating. Ripe and sweet strawberries will overpower the sweetness in the Champagne, thus making a dry Champagne taste sour. In this instance it is recommended to choose the sweetest Champagne you can find, like a Demi-Sec or a Doux. This will create the prefect balance with desserts containing berries and fruits.

Sweet sparkling or semi-sparkling wines like Asti or Moscato d’Asti respectively, are just a few inexpensive options that work a treat. The aromas and fruitiness will reflect the simplicity of these fruit and berry summer creations.

See our sparkling wine selection

Champagne

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