Will this heat ever end? Not anytime soon, but my list of top picks for the summer wines will end this week with a few from Select Brands. I reached out to Tania McConnell and Debra Taylor of the Select Brands management team and I also spoke to Gillian Ferguson, general manager of Uncorked, who has an exclusive list of wines from the Select Brands portfolio, to get a feel of what was a hit for the summer.

Chateau d’Esclans Whispering Angel Rosé

Hailing from Provence in the southeast of France, where some really great rosé wines are made, the Whispering Angel does not disappoint. Whispering Angel is a blend of Grenache, Rolle, Cinsault, Syrah, and Mourvedre grapes. Light pink in colour, this is traditional rosé — dry, fresh and fruity. We loved this wine when it first landed in Jamaica many years ago, and we still enjoy it today.

Sperone Moscato Rosé

If dry is not your thing, as it is with most new wine drinkers, then you will love is light sparkler called Sperone Moscato Rosé. Its producer, Giacomo Sperone Spa, was founded in 1911 by Antonio Sperone, Sr just outside Turin, Italy. The very popular Sperone Moscato Rosé is an ideal party wine as it is very approachable, lightly fizzy and refreshing. Sperone Moscato Rosé has an agreeably delicate and sweet flavour, made from the moscato grapes, with a crisp, fresh, fruity and pleasant taste.

Santa Margherita Prosécco

Everyone loves Prosecco, the sparkling wine from the Veneto region of Italy, perhaps because as a Champagne substitute it’s more affordable, it’s lighter, usually much fruitier, which translates to being more casual and fun for most. The Santa Margherita Prosécco is straw yellow, with an aroma characterised by a fine fruity fragrance and an elegant long-lived mousse. On the palate the wine tastes pleasantly dry with a well-balanced acidity, making the wine fresh and lively.

FIordaliso Pinot Grigio

When I am looking for Pinot Grigio, it’s almost always an Italian Pinot because I prefer their style which tends to be lighter, balanced and fresh. This FIordaliso Pinot Grigio has a pale colour with fresh notes of green apple. A touch of honeyed richness, fresh and steely character making it a wonderful aperitif to be enjoyed on any summer occasion.

Primal Roots Red Blend

There are some wine lovers that are so polarised in their wine selections that they only drink this or drink that. So if you are one of those who only drink ‘red’, then do try one of the relatively new red blends on the market called Primal Roots. A red wine for summer is usually a tad lighter than this, but since you insist, here goes. This Primal Roots Red Blend is a blend of Merlot, Syrah, and Zinfandel to create a smooth, full-bodied, sensual wine. Merlot is the varietal that keeps this wine grounded. Syrah lends a deep purple colour, silky texture, and balanced structure to the wine. Known for its spicy characters, the Zinfandel rounds out the wine by adding a touch of warm spice. It’s flying off the shelves.

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

Your feedback is welcome.

Please let me know of you are looking for any of the 20 wines from the summer series and can’t find them; I can point you in the right direction.

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