Campfire Stories and Fizz

The campfire is that all important part of the camping experience, the place that gives a bit of warmth, that cooks the baked beans, that repels the insects or brings about the hearty sing songs. You haven’t really been camping unless you’ve cooked on an open fire (or camping gas stove) many will say and how very true this is especially for the younger ones enjoying the experience! In fact, campfires hold a long and welcomed tradition that has been adopted globally.

“A new analysis of burned antelope bones from caves in Swartkrans, South Africa, confirms that Australopithecus robustus and Homo erectus built campfires roughly 1.6 million years ago.” source wikipedia

Of course, we do not always have to be camping in order to enjoy an outside fire. We can have that fire pit in the garden or even experience the open flame on the beach, this can be something we do alone, with family, friends or it forms part of the evening party agenda. Many times we will think of hot drinks around the fire, but we also enjoy the odd tipple too and that includes wines and sparkling wines.

Campfires and fizz

The perfect way to enjoy the evening campfire, be it a summer’s evening or winter, is with a glass of well chilled bubbly. If you sit close to the flames you will soon heat up so a chilled glass of sparkling wine can help chill you down inside. A perfect match would be a deeper coloured rosé or even a red sparkling wine that will likely we a heavier / fuller style and dark fruit berry tasting experience and what many of the judges say at the Glass of Bubbly Awards is a perfect winter warmer wine. Add to that someone who has some interesting stories to share or a guitar and can play some tunes then we are set for a wonderful evening…

 

As the stars come out and the wine starts flowing it’s unavoidable that the mood will move towards these great sing-along campfire guitar songs. Everyone knows the tunes to these classics. Add in some simple guitar chords and words that are actually correct, and you’ll be drawing in the crowds from the rest of the campground in no time. Popular songs include:

American Pie — Don McLean
“A long, long time ago I can still remember how that music used to make me smile”
Dream — Everly Brothers
“Drea-ea-ea-ea-eam, dream, dream, dream”
Hotel California — Eagles
“On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair, warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air” (source coolofthewild)

If there are any barbecued foods on offer during your time outside then a red sparkling wine will pair perfectly for such cuisine especially barbecued chicken or pork.

Red sparkling wine is the lesser known and popular of the sparkling wines we see for sale. Normally we see white or rosé coloured, but red sparkling wines are gaining popularity globally with many countries offering quality labels to include Italy, France, Slovenia, England, Australia and more.

 

Vinarstvo Rebula – Penina Terra Rosanera – Slovenia

Tasting notes: “Fresh and dark berry fruity nose with added silky edge on the nose. Great display of freshly picked and crushed blackberry and plum with a smooth length and close. Medium plus acidity.” Vivino