You worry about your transeasonal wardrobe – we’ve got the drinks covered.
There’s a scene in Miss Congeniality where Miss Rhode Island is asked to describe her ideal date. “That’s a tough one,” she says. “I’d have to say April 25th. Because it’s not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket." You’ve got to give it to her – she nailed that answer. Meteorologists call it transitional weather; the rest of us call it will-I-need-a-jacket season. And if you’re from Melbourne, it’s more like will-I-need-a-third-layer-or-bikini-or-umbrella season. And yes, sometimes all of the above before lunch.
Much like the weather, our taste in drinks tend to change with the seasons. Come summer, very few of us are reaching for a big glass of shiraz (grandads aside). Winter has its codes, too: darker, heavier, richer. But what about the in-between months? The April 25ths of the world.
Well, we’re following Miss Rhode Island’s lead to find the sweet spot. Not too heavy, not too light – these are the best shoulder-season drinks to suit every occasion right now.
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1. The best light reds for autumn
One of, if not the most versatile grapes in the world, is gamay. It’s the rare wine that feels just as comfy next to a roast as it does beside a summer cheese plate. Give it a slight chill and it sings; leave it at cellar temp and it still shows up ready to impress – it’s the perfect companion for that lousy Smarch weather (that’s one for The Simpsons fans). And of course, you can’t talk gamay without mentioning Beaujolais, its most famous home in France. These wines keep things bright, juicy and with just enough structure to carry you from warm afternoons into cooler evenings without missing a beat.
New to the category? Have a go at Maison De La Villette Gamay. Lively and juicy with notes of berries, rose petals and a whisper of gamey spice. Light and bright on the palate, this is best served cool, not cold, to let it do its thing.
2. Top whisky for cool nights
Is there a more by-the-fire drink than a wee dram of whisky? It’s warmth in a glass – deep, dark and quietly complex. One sip and you’re halfway to the Scottish Highlands, or at least it feels that way. The weather’s nippy, you’re curled up on the couch, and something vaguely on-theme like Highlander is playing in the background. It’s tempting to call whisky a strictly cold-weather affair, but that’s selling it short. Add a splash of soda, a few solid cubes of ice, maybe a twist of lemon for intrigue, and suddenly the same brooding dram turns into a bright and breezy Whisky Highball. It’s a shape-shifter.
And if you’re looking for that cold- and hot-weather hustler, Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Single Malt Scotch Whisky is for you. Award-winning, Speyside, single malt and full of beautiful rich wine flavours with vanilla oak notes, it’s going to love being sipped neat or zhuzhed up in a fresh Highball.
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3. Richer whites for between seasons
Chardonnays, viogniers, marsannes and fuller styles of chenin blanc all live in that deliciously generous corner of the white wine world. These are wines with a bit of swagger – they are rich enough to handle real food, yet fresh enough to keep things lively. Serve them properly cold next to a platter of prawns and oysters – fruits de mer if you’re feeling French – and they’re perfectly at home. Let them warm a touch (and we do mean a touch) and suddenly they’re just as happy alongside a roast chook or a bowl of creamy pasta. In other words, the ideal wines for whatever season happens to roll through that afternoon.
Our pick? The Amberley Chimney Brush Chenin Blanc is full of tropical fruits, yet it’s still perfectly dry and textured. If you’re not yet familiar with chenin blanc, this is a an excellent, approachable intro – at an excellent price.
4. Why sherry is the transeasonal MVP
If you’ve read any of our thoughts on sherry, and we highly recommend you do, you’ll know we think it might just be the most underrated drink on the planet. Sherry is not only delicious, but also wildly versatile. The category is broad (we’ve gone deeper on that here), but if you’re after something that works across the temperature spectrum, look to the olorosos and amontillados. They’re a little deeper in style, but still firmly dry, carrying that unmistakable sherry signature: nutty, savoury, almost umami-like on the finish. Sip them slowly like a whisky if the evening calls for it, or serve them just below cellar temperature alongside a good plate of cheese and charcuterie.
You can’t go wrong with the Barbadillo Oloroso – especially at this price. Aromatic and full of flavour, this is an especially smooth example.
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5. French spirits to keep you cosy
We have a hunch that Cognac and Calvados are on the verge of a comeback. Not just because they’re absolutely delicious, but also because they handle this in-between weather like seasoned pros – a particularly handy skill in Australia. If you’re new to these French specialties, Cognac is a rich, vanilla-tinged, copper-distilled grape spirit, while Calvados comes from fermented apples (and sometimes pears) from Normandy. Both are meticulously crafted, aged patiently in French oak barrels for at least two years, and will reward anyone willing to sip slowly and appreciate the depth. Neat, they’re sublime after a hearty winter feed or as a complex aperitif. But they’re also versatile: both shine in a Sidecar (Calvados earns a “Sidecar Normand”), in a Whisky Highball-style mix, or even as a playful Boilermaker-style combination with apple cider.
See for yourself with the sweetly spiced Godet Calvados Michel, which is an approachably fresh example.
6. Ginger beer for whatever the weather
Ginger beer is the ultimate shoulder-season bevvy. Its natural spice hits the taste buds just right, giving you a little warmth on those crisp autumn afternoons without weighing you down. But it’s not a one-trick pony – when the mercury climbs, ginger beer adapts effortlessly. Chill it over ice, stir it into a refreshing Moscow Mule, or let it dance with dark rum in a Dark ’n’ Stormy and suddenly it’s a bright, zingy partner for a summer heatwave. Sharp, versatile and just a little bit cheeky – perfect for the months that can’t decide what season they want to be (ahem March and April).
There are loads to choose from these days, but we’re reaching for the Better Beer Ginger Beer – its lower sugar levels make it an especially great pick.
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