It’s too hot to drink red wine, so it’s time to experiment with some wonderful light, refreshing white wines. I said this to someone recently and they looked it me with a rather puzzled expression and said that they only drink red wines. I suggested that they need to go and broaden their horizons and experiment with some of the exciting light white wines which are actually much more refreshing in hot weather. Let me suggest a few different varietals to try.

Orvieto – this region (most wines from Europe go by the name of their home, instead of the grape that they are made of) produces some of Italy’s best white wines. It is a light-bodied, dry, crisp wine with citrus and melon aromas and it is great for sipping in hot weather. A great product available locally is Ruffino Orvieto Classico.

Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris) – This is one of the white grapes of the Pinot Family which includes Pinot Blanc (also white) and the red grapes Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular wine varietals requested in restaurants in the US and also here in Jamaica. Many different countries produce wines from this grape and as such, a number of different styles exist on the market. The more popular Italian style of Pinot Grigio is light-bodied, fruity and crisp with good acidity to give you that refreshing mouth feel. Two great products available locally are Bollini Pinot Grigio and Zonin Pinot Grigio.

Riesling – the unsung hero of white wines and one of the most versatile wines with food. Originally from Germany, this grape is used to make some of the best wines from Alsace, France and many other wine-producing regions around the world. These wines can be dry or sweet, consumed young or aged. Riesling is usually light-bodied, with aromas of peach and pear and is very refreshing on the palate. True Riesling wines have two dominant aliases, Johannisberg Riesling and White Riesling, both of which refer to the authentic Riesling. With food, Rieslings work great with most of our spicy dishes and also with the mixed flavours of Asian food as well. The Fetzer and the Hogue Rieslings are delicious wines that are an instant hit wherever I pour them.

When all else fails, there is always the perennial summer favourite: Sauvignon Blanc. This white grape originates from France and is very popular in New Zealand. It’s what I call a ” love it or hate it” varietal.

Sauvignon Blanc also grows in South Africa and in California and Washington State. Its wonderfully wild, untamed flavours are often reminiscent of grass, herbs, green tea and limes and often overlaid with a touch of smokiness. In California, Sauvignon Blanc can also take on green fig and white melon flavours. Wines made in California from this grape are also known as Fumé Blanc. The name change came about when Robert Mondavi experimented with ageing the Sauvignon Blanc in oak to try to give it a flavour that Americans would like.

A number of great Sauvignon Blanc-based wines are available here including the Robert Mondavi Napa Fumé Blanc, another Robert Mondavi product, Woodbridge Sauvignon Blanc, and one of my new favourites, the Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This was on the Wine Spectator Top 100 last year. Try it, I believe you will like it. Next week we’ll explore Rosé and Blush Wines.

Cheers! Now go forth and try a few new wines. Please send your wine stories, comments and questions to creckord@gmail.com. DeVine Wine Services is operated by Chris and Kerri-Anne Reckord and its mission is to improve wine appreciation through wine education and events.