Summer is the season of endless sunshine, al fresco dining, and most importantly, indulgent desserts. But what could possibly make those sweet treats better? Pairing them with the perfect wine, of course! Imagine savouring a slice of lemon tart with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or enjoying a spoonful of rich chocolate mousse with a velvety red. The right wine can elevate your dessert experience to new heights, turning a simple treat into a sublime moment of bliss.
If you’re looking to impress at your next summer gathering or simply want to treat yourself, this guide will walk you through some delightful wine and dessert pairings. From traditional favourites to a few unconventional twists, we’ve got your summer covered. And to make things even sweeter, we’ll finish with a couple of easy recipes that you can whip up in no time. Let’s dive in!
Traditional Summer Desserts and Their Perfect Wine Pairings
Lemon Tart & Sauvignon Blanc
Lemon tart is a quintessential summer dessert, combining the zesty freshness of lemons with a buttery, flaky crust. The acidity of the tart demands a wine that can match its vibrant flavour profile without being overwhelmed. Enter Sauvignon Blanc – a crisp, aromatic white wine with citrusy notes that complement the tart’s sharpness beautifully.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Sauvignon Blanc is often described as having “gooseberry” notes? In fact, it’s one of the only wines where this unique flavour descriptor is commonly used!
Pavlova & Riesling
Pavlova is a beloved dessert across Britain and the Commonwealth, featuring a crisp meringue shell with a soft, marshmallow-like interior, typically topped with whipped cream and a bounty of fresh summer berries. The sweetness of the meringue and the tartness of the berries call for a wine that can balance both – enter Riesling.
A slightly off-dry Riesling, with its bright acidity and notes of citrus and stone fruits, pairs wonderfully with pavlova. It mirrors the dessert’s lightness while cutting through the creaminess, leaving your palate refreshed and ready for another bite.
Fun Fact: Pavlova is named after the Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova, with both Australia and New Zealand claiming to have invented it. The dessert’s lightness is said to resemble Pavlova’s ethereal dance style.
Victoria Sponge Cake & Sparkling Wine
Victoria Sponge Cake is a quintessentially British dessert, renowned for its light, airy sponge layers filled with jam and fresh cream. This classic cake pairs beautifully with a sparkling wine, such as English sparkling wine or Champagne. The wine’s bubbles and crisp acidity cut through the richness of the cream while enhancing the sweetness of the jam, making each bite feel celebratory and refreshing.
Fun Fact: The Victoria Sponge was named after Queen Victoria, who was said to enjoy a slice with her afternoon tea. This simple yet elegant cake has remained a favourite in British households for generations, symbolising a perfect balance of tradition and indulgence.
Lemon Polenta Cake & Vermentino
Lemon polenta cake is a delightful twist on traditional cake, offering a dense, moist crumb with the zesty brightness of lemons. This Italian-inspired dessert is naturally gluten-free, made with ground almonds and cornmeal (polenta), and it pairs beautifully with a crisp, citrusy Vermentino.
Vermentino, a white wine from Sardinia and Tuscany, has a lovely acidity and notes of lemon, lime, and herbs that echo the flavours in the cake. The wine’s minerality and slight bitterness on the finish help balance the cake’s sweetness, making each bite and sip a harmonious experience.
Try This: For a slightly different flavour profile, you could also pair this cake with a light, herbal Sauvignon Blanc or a dry, effervescent Prosecco.
Unconventional Summer Dessert Pairings
Basil Ice Cream & Grüner Veltliner
Yes, you read that right – basil ice cream! This unexpected treat is an absolute delight, offering a refreshing twist on traditional flavours. Basil’s subtle herbaceousness pairs surprisingly well with a crisp, mineral-rich Grüner Veltliner. This Austrian white wine has notes of lime, green apple, and a slight peppery undertone that complements the unique flavour of basil ice cream beautifully.
Try This: Basil ice cream might sound unusual, but it’s incredibly refreshing and perfect for summer. It’s the kind of dessert that will have your guests talking for weeks!
Chocolate Avocado Mousse & Zinfandel
Chocolate mousse is a decadent dessert, and when made with avocado, it takes on a rich, creamy texture that is just irresistible. Pair this with a bold Zinfandel, a red wine known for its jammy fruit flavours and spicy notes. The wine’s dark berry flavours and slight tannins provide a lovely contrast to the mousse’s silky texture, making each bite (and sip) an experience to savour.
Fun Fact: Avocado in dessert? Absolutely! Avocado’s creamy texture makes it a fantastic base for dairy-free desserts, and its mild flavour means it pairs well with a variety of ingredients – including chocolate.
Mango Sticky Rice & Riesling
Mango sticky rice, a popular Thai dessert, is a harmonious blend of sweet mango, coconut-infused sticky rice, and sometimes a sprinkle of sesame seeds. The richness of this dish is best paired with a wine that has a good balance of sweetness and acidity, like a Riesling. A slightly off-dry Riesling with notes of tropical fruit and a bright acidity will mirror the mango’s sweetness and cut through the richness of the coconut rice.
Pro Tip: When pairing wine with a dish that has coconut, opt for wines that have a bit of sweetness to complement the coconut’s natural creaminess.
Two Easy Summer Dessert Recipes
To round out our adventure through summer desserts and wine pairings, here are two simple recipes you can try at home. They’re easy to make, delicious, and perfect for impressing your guests or just treating yourself!
Recipe 1: No-Bake Lemon Cheesecake
Ingredients:
200g digestive biscuits
100g unsalted butter, melted
400g cream cheese
200ml double cream
100g icing sugar
Juice and zest of 2 lemons
Instructions:
Crush the digestive biscuits in a food processor or in a sealed bag with a rolling pin until you have fine crumbs.
Mix the crumbs with the melted butter and press into the base of a 20cm springform tin. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the icing sugar, lemon juice, and zest, and mix until well combined.
In a separate bowl, whip the double cream until it holds stiff peaks, then fold it gently into the cream cheese mixture.
Spoon the mixture over the biscuit base and smooth the top. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible.
Serve chilled, with a glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc for the perfect pairing!
Recipe 2: Chocolate Avocado Mousse
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados
60g cocoa powder
80ml maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
A pinch of sea salt
Fresh berries or nuts for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Scoop out the flesh of the avocados and place it in a blender or food processor.
Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and sea salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more maple syrup.
Spoon the mousse into serving dishes and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Serve with fresh berries or nuts on top and pair with a glass of Zinfandel for an indulgent treat!
Wine and Dessert – The Perfect Summer Romance
Pairing wine with desserts isn’t just about finding two flavours that work well together – it’s about creating a whole experience. Whether you’re sticking to classic pairings like lemon tart with Sauvignon Blanc or venturing into the more adventurous territory of basil ice cream with Grüner Veltliner, the key is to have fun and enjoy the process.
Remember, there are no strict rules – if you find a pairing that you love, that’s all that matters. So this summer, don’t be afraid to experiment. Try out new wines, whip up some unusual desserts, and most importantly, savour every delicious moment.
Cheers to a sweet and wine-filled summer!