A Midsummer Lunch's Wine

Subtle does not mean lacking in flavour when it comes to vino. I am not a fan of the intensity of New World sauvignon blanc, it leaves me cold. So when it comes to choosing a white wine these days, I frequently opt for a little Old World restraint.

This week’s trio of white wines would be just right with light summer lunches in the garden: those summer lunches that go on until teatime.

Verdicchio, the signature wine of the Marche region on Italy’s Adriatic coast, is a great choice for al fresco drinking. Monte Schiavo Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2013 is a quality example and new to the shelves at Majestic.

It is lightly creamy in the mouth but very fresh too, suggesting lemon, lime and tropical fruit flavours, with intriguing almond notes.

I don’t always recommend buying a wine by the caseload but that is my advice for Dr L Grey Slate Riesling 2013. Currently on offer for £7.49 a bottle at Waitrose, it is worth every penny.

It’s from the Mosel region of Germany, best known for its fantastic off-dry riesling, with relatively low levels of alcohol. But Dr L Grey Slate only shows a hint of that sweetness, essentially it is quite dry and it has a crisp, balancing acidity.

With flavours of peach, citrus and honeysuckle, it has a pronounced minerality on the finish. It is a perfect summertime aperitif.

Or try Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny “Les Genièvres” 2012; an unoaked example of the chardonnay grape from the Mâconnais district of Burgundy.

This is an elegant, fresh wine, with very long flavours of apple, citrus, and mango, spiced with white pepper, ginger and minerals.

Monte Schiavo Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2013, £6.74 (when you buy two) at Majestic 18/20

Dr L Grey Slate Riesling 2013, Mosel, £7.49 (down from £9.99) at Waitrose 19/20

Louis Latour Mâcon-Lugny “Les Genièvres” 2012, £10.99 from Bon Coeur Fine Wines (bcfw.co.uk) 18/20

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