Summer Dining

While the northern hemisphere rugs up for a cold season, Australians turn up the heat on the barbecue and set the table for a sizzling summer full of celebrations.

However, for many of us, the thought of cooking for family and friends can quickly become a nightmare, and too often have we opted for just picking up the phone and calling the caterer in those desperate times of need!

But let’s face it, nothing really beats a home cooked meal made with love, sweat and sometimes a few tears, and fortunately most guests are willing to turn a blind eye to kitchen mishaps – we can thank the champagne for that.

For the perfect (or close enough) summer lunch, we have enlisted the help of our friends at Moët Hennessy to help you pair the perfect dish with the right bottle, or two.

According to Moët Hennessy, French champagnes and local white wines are the ideal complement for a summer dining and the following dishes, where hosts can match multiple courses with individual drinks for relaxed yet sophisticated Christmas.

Start your lunch with an aperitif of Moët & Chandon Imperial while enjoying fresh oysters and lightly grilled scallops, served in the shell and drizzled with a buttery lemon-chive sauce.

At the table, start with the newly released Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 alongside a seafood entrée, such as poached prawns with garlic aioli. This can be followed by the heartier Cape Mentelle Wallcliffe Sauvignon Blanc for a dish such as oven-baked ocean trout fillet wrapped in pancetta with a side of steamed asparagus, while Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir would pair well with seared tuna with roast beetroot and walnut salad.

Finally, for a festive finish, Veuve Clicquot Rose complements a light summertime dessert, such as red berries and cream.

Be sure to remember, at the end of the day, if the cooking doesn’t exactly go to plan, at least you’ll have the fridge and cellar stocked with delicious drinks to entertain the guests and yourself!

Moët Hennessy is offering woman with drive readers an exclusive gift of $50 to spend* on the finest champagne, wines and spirits from Moët Hennessy Collection.

Visit: http://moet-hennessy-collection.com.au to start stocking up your cart and enter code ’50DRIVE’ to redeem this voucher.

*Minimum spend $300. Offer valid for persons 18 years and over. Does not include spend on accessories. Valid from 9/12/14 to 31/12/14. Not valid with any other offer. Enjoy responsibly.

Image credit: Gourmet Traveller

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