Recently we asked the key wine and spirits importers for their summer wine suggestions, and to date we have received 73 really great suggestions. Here’s my attempt to shortlist the top 20 wines that Jamaicans might wish to try to beat the heat.

What’s the difference?

“Why is a ‘summer wine’ different from a regular wine? asked a regular reader of this column recently. When it’s this hot, we need something to quench our thirst, so the wine we select cannot be too heavy; those need to be consumed in the cooler months. Light, crisp and fruity wines are best suited for the outdoors, by the poolside, at the beach or just chilling out with friends.

This week I give the nod to four wines from the portfolio of Betco Premier. We met up with Jhannel Townsend, brand manager, and customer service representative Len Lewis at The Wine Shop to sample their Cupcake Riesling, Louis Jadot Beaujolais Village and Caposaldo Prosecco. A fourth wine came into the mix when The Wine Shop’s Shaneka Johnson suggested that the Gabbiano Promessa Pinot Grigio was a summer hit for the shop. While they were all great wines, ideal for the warm weather, my favourite of the bunch was the Cupcake Riesling.

Jamaican’s should drink more Riesling

Riesling: The unsung hero of white wines and a champion summer wine, it is one of the most versatile wines, especially 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. Rieslings work well with most of our spicy dishes, and with the mixed flavours of Asian food as well. This week’s Riesling is made by Cupcake Vineyards, a producer that has been making hit after hit and has become very popular in North America and here in Jamaica also.

The Cupcake Riesling

From Germany’s famed Pfalz region, this Riesling delights with aromas of ripe honeydew and lemon chiffon. The wine fills the palate with creamy lemon, bright citrus and a hint of sweetness, finishing with a zesty thirst-quenching zing.

Do try something new, light, crisp and refreshing this summer!

Christopher Reckord — Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. Instagram: @chrisreckord Twitter: @Reckord