RAISE A GLASS

THE expression “oooh, its summer in a glass” can be over-used but I’ll drop it here, right now, because I can.

I’m feeling quite smug because I shared some summer drinking ideas with friends and (for your benefit) we did a bit of “proper tasting” with a few wines.

There’s nothing better than introducing people to new wine, then watch their faces light up.

“Oooh it’s summer in a glass” said one pal as she sipped Louis Jadot Beaujolais Villages 2016 (RRP: £11.70, Tesco, Wine Rack, 12.5% abv). Beaujolais red wines are made in a way which keeps the fruit notes, from the gamay grape, youthful and fruity with strawberries, raspberries and red fruit. My pals loved this wine’s tumbling red fruits, fresh and jammy, unctuous, rich with fruit but light in sensation. It is indeed, summer in a glass. There are tiers of importance in the Beaujolais appellation and Beaujolais Villages (our Louis Jadot bottle) is the second level, above the basic Beaujolais AC. The third tier is the Beaujolais Crus – the class acts – which are 10 villages with their own distinctive tastes.

Look out for Fleurie, one of the lightest in style, which is my favourite. We tried Fleurie from Marks & Spencer (£11.50, 13% abv) – ripe and fruity with a lightness of touch – but agreed the Jadot had the edge in the “that’s nice” satisfaction factor.

Over to a couple of whites which we enjoyed on our little tasting night.

Esk Valley Verdelho 2017 (RRP £13.75, thewine reserve.co.uk, 14% abv) is a traditional Portuguese variety given a New Zealand twist by grapes grown in the Gimbletts Gravel region of Hawkes Bay. It has tropical aromas of mandarins and peaches and a peep of lemon. To taste, all those fruits appear again, with a zesty finish and a slight dash of spice (from somewhere).

Finally, we popped over to South Africa in our summer sipping safari and Creation Wines Viognier 2017 (£14.50, winetrust100.co.uk, 14.5% abv). Ah, this is creme fraiche with an excitement of peaches and apricot. The stone fruit aromas are so enticing; fresh, fresh, fresh. There’s a frisson of spice – perhaps a dash of five-spice – which tickles the senses. The palate is inviting, as those same fresh fruits add more layers to your enjoyment.

■ Also in my glass… I made the very summery Pink Limonata with the new Malfy Gin Rosa (£27.95, 31dover.com). Well, when I say I made it, I asked my friend to do it because she’s not as clumsy as me. The Italian gin is produced just outside Turin and is distilled with the peel of Sicilian pink grapefruits, Italian juniper, rhubarb, and four other botanicals. My friend is just discovering gins and she loved its fresh citrus bite.

Back to the limonata which is two parts Malfy Gin Rosa, one part limoncello, topped up with three parts soda; except we went a bit sideways and preferred tonic water. Add a finishing flourish with a wedge of lime and a raspberry. Very, very tasty.

■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.