Summer entertaining calls for drinks that can do it all — open the evening with something elegant, keep the vibes going through the afternoon, and make sure every guest finds their happy place in a glass. This month, we’ve got two gorgeous sparkling wines and two cans of beer that together cover every mood, every crowd, and every occasion the summer can throw at you.
Here’s what’s ahead:
• Taittinger Brut La Française Champagne is one of the great non-vintage Champagnes: elegant, Chardonnay-forward, and endlessly celebratory
• La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rosé is a French fruited sparkler from the Perrin family, perfect for casual pouring all summer long
• Aslin Beer Company Volcano Sauce is a milkshake-style fruited sour packed with blackberries, blueberries, and vanilla
• Pabst Light is the classic easy-drinking lager that needs no introduction: clean, crisp, and always welcome
Taittinger Brut La Française Champagne
If there’s a Champagne that consistently punches above its weight, it’s Taittinger Brut La Française. One of the few remaining independently owned Champagne houses, Taittinger has been producing wines from the famous chalk caves of Reims since the 1930s. The Brut La Française is their flagship non-vintage Cuvée, and what sets it apart from nearly every other house NV is the high proportion of Chardonnay in the blend: 40%, compared to the industry norm of 20–30%.
That Chardonnay influence gives it a signature freshness and elegance. The blend of 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, and 25% Pinot Meunier is aged nearly four years on the lees, more than double the legal minimum, for a wine with real depth and development. The nose is open and expressive with aromas of peach, white flowers, hawthorn, and a whisper of vanilla and brioche. On the palate, it’s lively, crisp, and harmonious with fresh fruit and honey, finishing clean and persistent with a lovely almond note. Wine Spectator calls it “sleek and mouthwatering.”
Taittinger Pairings
Serve well-chilled in a flute or tulip glass with:
• Oysters and fresh seafood
• Smoked salmon and creme fraiche
• Soft cheeses and charcuterie
• Grilled shrimp or light appetizers
• Fresh fruit and summer berries
La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rosé
From the Famille Perrin, the legendary producers behind Château de Beaucastel, one of the Rhône Valley’s most storied estates, La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rosé is what happens when world-class winemaking meets everyday accessibility. Crafted from a blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Cinsault, and 20% Pinot Noir grown on limestone soils, it’s a sparkling rosé designed to be opened freely, poured generously, and enjoyed without ceremony.
The color is a beautiful light salmon-pink with a lively stream of tiny bubbles. The nose is fresh and bright with aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, and a hint of citrus blossom. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and smooth with flavors of cherry, strawberry, peach, and lemon peel, and a clean, dry, refreshing finish. It’s the kind of wine Simply Recipes called “the Rosé That Always Shows Up for You” — effortlessly cool, low-maintenance, and always a good idea.
La Vieille Ferme Pairings
Serve well-chilled in a flute or wine glass with:
• Charcuterie boards and soft cheeses
• Grilled shrimp or smoked fish appetizers
• Summer salads and fresh tomatoes
• Fruit-based desserts or berries
• A classic poolside pour, no food required
Aslin Beer Company Volcano Sauce
Northern Virginia’s Aslin Beer Company has built a devoted following by pushing the boundaries of what a can of beer can taste like, and Volcano Sauce is one of their most beloved creations. This smoothie-style fruited sour is brewed with massive quantities of blackberries and blueberries, then conditioned with vanilla and creamy milk sugar for a body that’s described on the can itself as “lava-thick and totally decadent.”
At 6% ABV, it pours a cloudy reddish-pink with a fine pink head. The aroma is a burst of fresh berries, blueberry, blackberry, and a hint of vanilla, like opening a container of berry ice cream. The taste follows: tart, fruity, and creamy all at once, with the blackberry and blueberry leading and a sweet vanilla creaminess rounding everything out. The finish is crisp and refreshing. It’s a sour that even sour skeptics tend to love, because it’s more fruit-forward and less aggressive than many in the category. Perfect for summer afternoons when you want something interesting and cold in your hand.
Volcano Sauce Pairings
Best enjoyed ice-cold straight from the can, or with:
• Cheese pizza or anything salty to balance the sweetness
• Vanilla ice cream (yes, really, float it)
• Spicy wings or jalapeño poppers for a sweet-heat contrast
• A charcuterie board with sharp, aged cheese
Pabst Light
Some classics are classics for a reason. Pabst Light is the easy-drinking, no-fuss lager that’s been showing up to the party for generations, clean, crisp, and ice-cold, exactly when and where you need it. Light-bodied with a subtle malt sweetness and just enough hop character to keep things interesting, it’s the beer that knows its role and plays it perfectly.
Whether it’s a backyard cookout, a tailgate, a day on the water, or just a Tuesday evening that calls for something cold and uncomplicated, Pabst Light delivers. No pretense, no fuss. Just a great, honest lager that’s been earning its place in coolers across the country since 1844.
Pabst Light Pairings
Built for every occasion. Try it with:
• Grilled burgers and hot dogs
• Fried chicken or fish fry
• Pizza straight from the box
• BBQ ribs or pulled pork
• Salty snacks, pretzels, and good company
Whether you’re popping Taittinger for a special toast, pouring La Vieille Ferme Sparkling Rosé at a long summer lunch, cracking a Volcano Sauce for something wild, or keeping it classic with a Pabst Light on ice, this lineup has every version of summer covered. Stock the cooler, open something cold, and enjoy the season.
