There’s no disputing that summer is upon us so blushes aside — pun intended there’s no better time to enjoy lighter fare and great bottles of summer wines.

Prosecco

My sparkling wine of choice for this summer is Prosecco. This is a really great sparkling wine option from Italy for the summer because it is usually low in alcohol, very refreshing.

I recently had the opportunity to taste a pleasant new Prosecco on our market produced by Italian wine giant Ruffino. Ruffino Prosecco is produced from grapes grown in vineyards located in the North-eastern regions of Italy, defined by the Prosecco Doc code of production. Ruffino is a trusted Italian winery founded in Tuscany in 1877. This release marks the first time in the brand’s history that a sparkling wine has been added to the extensive Ruffino portfolio.

Ruffino Prosecco is straw-yellow, and shows aromas of apples, pears and citrus fruits. On the palate, the wine begins with intense apple and peach flavours, giving way to a bright, fruity and floral finish. It is ideal to serve as an aperitif and with a variety of foods, pairing well with baked fish, gourmet pizza and marinated shellfish dishes. Ruffino is available everywhere wines are sold and is imported in Jamaica by Select Brands Ltd.

Moscato

Globally, Moscato sales have skyrocketed over the past couple of years. This wine falls in the category sometimes referred to as the “light and refreshing” tier of products. Moscato has been recognised as the world’s oldest grape variety and is celebrated in wine regions across the globe for its intense floral aroma. The historic Beringer Vineyards bring you another great way to enjoy this storied grape variety with the introduction of the new Pink Moscato. If you like White Zinfandel, you will like this wine even more.

The Beringer Pink Moscato is a fun, light-hearted wine bursting with the signature aromas of Moscato; it is also extravagantly perfumed with luxurious aromas of creamy white peaches, caramel and honeysuckle, with a hint of tropical fruit notes and a smooth, refreshing finish. Serve chilled. Beringer is available wherever wines are sold and is imported in Jamaica by Betco Premier Ltd.

White and Red for Summer

The warmer the weather, the lighter the wine you might want to try. Recently I had the opportunity to taste a really great white and red wine that I have not had for a while.

Matua Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough has aromas of vibrant tropical and citrus fruits combined with attractive herbaceous characters on the nose. The palate is generous and fruit- driven, with classical Marlborough acidity giving length and structure. A fresh Sauvignon Blanc perfect for drinking in the summer.

Our red wine suggestion hails from the Beaujolais region of France. The Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Village is a light-bodied refreshing wine made from Gamey grapes. Maison Louis Jadot is one of the oldest and most respected producers of Burgundy wine in France. The 2010 has a gorgeous red-purple colour. Fresh red fruits on the nose with a hint of dark cherry. Slightly spicy with a touch of grey pepper, liquorish and a touch of rose flower. The Louis Jadot Beaujolais-Village wine is very well balanced with a nice acidity and the tannins present on the finish.

Chris Reckord — Entrepreneur & wine enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Follow us on twitter: @DeVineWines @Reckord