With summer officially underway, June is the perfect time to make the most of longer evenings, alfresco dining and the abundance of seasonal ingredients on offer. We’ve partnered with Laithwaites to pick some of our favourite recipes to cook this month, along with the wines that pair beautifully with them. From fresh seafood served with a crisp white, to summery pasta matched with a special rosé, these are the food and wine pairings worth trying this June. Plus, save 20% at Laithwaites when spending £75 using the code 20OFF.
For more wine recommendations, check out our expert tried-and-tested reviews of the best rioja to buy, best rosé to buy or the best prosecco.
Whether you go for cod, hake, sea bass or any other white fish, buy it sustainably and then wrap it up in crispy bacon for a contrasting meaty main. Serve as an all-in-one traybake with potatoes, green beans and olives for a light summery lunch or dinner.
Pairs with: Vignobles Canet Picpoul de Pinet, a grape which has been gaining popularity in the past few years and is often seen on wine bar menus. This mineral, lemon-fresh white from the Languedoc region pairs beautifully with seafood.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£15.99)
Oysters are usually eaten raw but they are also great after spending a few minutes on an open flame, still in their shells. Pep up your barbecue with these wonderfully meaty molluscs, bubbling in a smoky spiced garlic butter. Use large green-shelled mussels instead, if you prefer.
Pairs with: Cascata Vinho Verde, one of the most exciting whites coming out of Portugal, a zingy, fresh dry wine sure to quench your thirst. The white flowers and white pepper notes will lift the smokiness from the barbecued oysters, and it even has the slightest lift of pétillance to keep things lively.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£10.99)
Perfect for BBQs and buffets, our epic salad is an assembly job of gorgeous ingredients – no cooking required. Serve it with lamb kebabs for an impressive summer feast and customise to your liking with your favourite in-season veg. And if you’ve not yet tried fruit in a salad, don’t delay: the sweetness adds another note of interest that will sing when matched with a zesty dressing.
Pairs with: Maison Maillet Provence Rosé, a summer berry-forward pink best served very chilled (and ideally on a sunny summer day!). From a fourth generation estate, you’ll taste citrus freshness alongside the berries in this blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£10.99)
You don’t need to be beside the seaside to enjoy the delights of a crispy battered piece of fish. Skip the takeaway and spend a little effort perfecting fish & chips at home – you’ll be rewarded with crisp, deeply golden fish and moreish chips.
Pairs with: Make it a special occasion with this Wyfold Vineyard English Sparkling Brut. This 2019 vintage has had time to age, bringing richness to the finished result. Expect creamy pastry and citrus notes on the palate with a refreshing mineral length.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£38)
A play on the ever-popular ‘marry me’ chicken, make this creamy chicken orzo for a midweek meal or to impress a date. It’s easy to make, super comforting and can even be made ahead and frozen.
Pairs with: Rocksand Shiraz, a rich, weighty red not from down under like you might assume, but rather closer to home: Rocksand is from Portugal’s Setúbal PenÃnsula. The hot sun yields grapes filled with juicy flavour and spice, with some light ageing in French oak barrels lending a vanilla lift, perfect to go with a rich bowl of creamy orzo.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£14.99)
It’s a classic for a reason – tangy balsamic vinegar, sweet beetroot and creamy goat’s cheese combine beautifully in this easy salad. It also contains four of your five-a-day. Perfect as a starter or side salad through the summer months.
Pairs with: Keep the summery flavours going with the tropical fruit notes in this bestselling Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand. Made by an award-winning family winery and consistently in Laithwaites’ top 5 re-ordered Sauvignon Blancs, you know it’s going to be a popular choice.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£13.99)
Make this king prawn and courgette tagliatelle in just 20 minutes. It’s full of garlic, lemon and chilli, and it’s healthy too, so it’s great for busy weeknights – and contains a good amount of protein as well as vitamin-boosting green veg.
Pairs with: Yarrunga Field Special Reserve Rosé, a special vintage made from 100% Montepulciano grapes which have been flourishing in Australia as of late. This rosé is strong on the strawberry but not too sweet as it also contains a hint of spice and some citrus and zest for freshness – perfect as a summer sipper next to seafood.
Available from:
Laithwaites (£10.99)
