With all the entertaining and dining to be done in the next few weeks the right selection of wines and vintages will take you through the seasons without a hitch.

1. Corte Giara Prosecco Millesimato Dry 2016

Start the evening with a glass of the aromatic Corte Giara Prosecco Millesimato Dry 2016. Medium- bodied with fresh and fruity aromas of apple, pear, citrus and white flowers, the pale yellow Prosecco is a wonderful late- harvest vintage that portrays the Veneto region’s distinctive climate of heavy rainfall in spring and summer, with temperature fluctuations from day to night. Sip a glass with an entrée of fresh seafood and a dash of oriental flavours before moving on to the next course.

2. Castello di Ama Rosato

Always a delight is the Castello di Ama Rosato, which was first introduced nearly half a decade ago. The Rosato 2015 is just as lovely, with its blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, proportions of which change from year to year, but no less a delectable. Grown in the same terroir as the Castello di Ama San Lorenzo, the grapes thrive on sunny days and summer heat from early August through to mid- September, and cool as temperatures slip for a short two weeks before the late September and early October harvest. What comes of these climates is a pale cherry pink vintage, that’s exudes fresh red berries, wild strawberry and cherry notes, along with hints of pink grapefruit, for that citrusy touch.

3. Corte Giara Pinot Grigio 2016

If you enjoy a fruity white that’s just a touch of tangy, the Corte Giara Pinot Grigio 2016 is bound to hit all the right notes. Grown in the stony, well- drained terroir on the eastern hills of Lake Garda, the grapes for this vintage had a particularly difficult spring due to unusually high rainfalls in the region. As the weather normalised towards summer, the vintage developed its unique aromatic profile of elegant oral nuances with hints of golden apples, while it’s dry, medium-bodied character makes a delicious pairing with grilled sh and baked sea bass, peppered mussels and clams, or a light chicken salad.

4. Cadet d’Oc Chardonnay 2015

Moving on from lighter dishes of seafood and salads to the heartier mains is always the highlight any dinner soiree, no matter how many hor d’oeurves or entrées you’ve enjoyed so far. Spice things up a notch with the a glass of the Cadet d’Oc Chardonnay 2015, which is a rich, well-balanced vintage that aptly opens with
a touch of cumin. The glittering golden yellow chardonnay that hails from the south of France and showcases a blend of two terroirs – one of the Upper Valley with clay and limestone soil and the other an Oceanic terroir with sandstone soil and damp climates and hot spells. Tasted before picking, the grapes are lightly crushed and macerated before pressing, making it a round and smooth on the palate, with a long mineral finish and freshness.

5. Cadet d’Oc Merlot

If game or red meats are on the mains, two red wines are primed to compliment the robust flavours and textures of the meats with its ripe fruit flavours and rm body. The first is the Cadet d’Oc Merlot, with grapes grown in the highest quality parcels by Baron Philippe de Rothschild’s winemakers in a variety of terroirs and climates, then carefully monitored year-round by the team and vinified separately before blending. Fruit flavours and rounded tannins come through the intense, claret colour of the vintage, while the touch of aromatic herbs like rosemary make for a perfect pairing with a medium-rare grilled tenderloin or flank steak, as well as cheeses.

6. Cadet d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

The second is the Cadet d’Oc Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, which is crafted from a variety of gravelly micro- terroirs around the Limoux region. The different climates at these lots again play a part on the distinctive features of the grape – from black fruit and mild spice aromas to its garnet red and purplish hues. On the palate, the vintage is round with notes of ripe black fruit, along with prune and black cherry jam, and rm tannins that lend a lingering finish.