WEALTH June 20, 2026 0 Comments

Unlock the Secret to Savoring Summer Wines Without Breaking the Bank—How Smart Investors Spot Value in Every Bottle

Isn’t it wild how just a few extra degrees on the thermometer can transform the whole vibe? Suddenly, the garden becomes your hottest spot in town, and you’re the reluctant-but-loving host trying to keep the party going without the budget slipping through the cracks. I mean, who else has told their friends, “Don’t bring a thing,” only to end up maxing out the credit card on top-notch vino? That’s me every single time. But here’s a little secret—I’ve found the sweet spot for summer sipping that doesn’t scream “broke after one bottle.” Yep, your local supermarket aisles are stacked with surprisingly stellar wines that hit all the right notes: crowd-pleasing, wallet-friendly, and anything but boring. From chilled reds that’ll have you rethinking your “winter-only” rules, to rosés and whites that pair perfectly with picnic munchies, I’m here to fine-tune your summer wine game. So, what’s on the menu this season? Let’s dive into my handpicked gems that’ll have your guests raising glasses—and eyebrows in delight—without breaking your bank. Ready to roll? LEARN MORE

Now that the sun is firmly shining and the temperature has risen by those few precious degrees, we are finally in al fresco entertaining territory, writes Jordan Mooney.

While you may, like me, be the type who enjoys a glass of wine in the garden throughout the year, there’s no denying that warmer weather brings with it an extra layer of joy.

When the sun shines, you’ll find me trying to host some sort of gathering with my friends to soak up those rays and I absolutely love playing host.

While I love to tell people not to bring anything, I often need to rein myself in from spending an absolute fortune on everything.

So I’m usually on the hunt for something special to drink that will fit the vibes, satisfy everyone’s tastes, and not leave my pocket weeping.

As such, I like to recommend seeking out gems from your local supermarket so you can try something lovely and purchase enough for everyone to enjoy without sacrificing quality.

If you cast your eyes around the aisles at this time of year, you’ll find lots to love like juicy reds, crisp whites, refreshing bubbles and seasonally special rosés.

If you’ve read this column before you’ll have seen me recommend chilled red wine, and if I couldn’t convince you to dive in during the winter months, then now is the time I might sway you to my side.

Look out for something like a pinot noir, such as the Cuvée Dissenay Pinot Noir IGP Pays d’Oc from SuperValu, which is perfect for a barbecue — even better, it’s reduced to €10 from €14.99 until May 20. Serve at about 10C for a perfect chill.

If you’re a traditionalist, not to worry — I also have something for you to try at a more typical temperature.

Dunnes Stores has a wonderful wine selection on offer, but I think the Laurent Miquel Pére et Fils Syrah Grenache is the crowd-pleasing red to stock up on this summer.

While the full range is always very fruit-focused, this balanced bottle offers that rare and wonderful combination of accessibility for red wine novices along with balance and acidity for those more experienced.

Pair it with grilled, smoky dishes or spicy chorizo and aged cheese for the ideal summer sip.

In terms of white and rosé wines, there’s a plethora of options available.

It seems that many buyers look for fun, refreshing bottles at this time of year, so you’ll see lots of new releases lining the shelves.

For picnic fare like crisp salads, creamy cheese, ripe fruit and salty snacks, I like to opt for something with a little savoury note running through it. So I often look for albarino or picpoul de pinet, the latter of which is becoming a fast favourite in Ireland.

While you won’t have far to look for something suitable, I’d like to offer up Aldi’s Le Petit Poulet range for consideration.

It includes a red blend of carignan, cinsault, syrah and grenache, as well as a grenache-forward rosé that went completely viral last summer.

But the white, a blend of ugni blanc, colombard, grenache blanc, vermentino and clairette, was a surprise hit for me upon tasting. It’s zesty and dry, an ideal entertaining wine.

The three Le Petit Poulet wines have proven so popular that they’ve been introduced to Aldi’s core range, so you’ll find them available year-round now.

But while you’re picking up the white, you might as well grab the famous rosé and give it a try too, because really, what is summer without rosé?

With each bottle priced at €8.99, you can add the full range to your summer rotation without too much economic damage.

Spending time with good friends, great food and lovely wine might just make things seem a little brighter this summer. Here are my picks to try this season. Enjoy!

WINES OF THE MONTH

Le Petit Poulet White 2024, France, 12.5 per cent ABV

A gem within Aldi’s wine selection, this is a popular supermarket option for a reason. You’ll find notes of fresh herbs and orange peel on the nose, followed by zesty stone fruit flavours on the palate. The long, dry finishis wonderful andwill please allwho sip. Try it with seafood, salads and creamy cheese this summer. €8.99 from Aldi nationwide.

Laurent Miquel Père et Fils Syrah Grenache, France, 14 per cent ABV

Made in collaboration with Laurent Miquel’s father, this wine is made from grapes harvested solely at night, which results in more freshness and acidity. You’ll find roundness here, driven by black fruits and some notes of spice and chocolate. Serve at around 14-16C for the ideal sip. Currently €9 from Dunnes Stores.

DRINK OF THE MONTH

Lay-Low Hard Iced Tea Lemon, 4.5 per cent ABV

Dubbed Ireland’s first hardiced tea, Lay-Low is making waves in the canned cocktail space for good reason — it’s low calorie, contains zero sugar and, best of all, is non-carbonated. Made with black tea, it offers a very refreshing change from others in the ready-to-drink space and is ideal for summer sipping at a picnic. From €3.50, available at Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Centra, Blackrock Cellar and others.