Cometh July, come the summer lunch, an event that gets us thinking about a nice glass of wine – or two. But, given that mindful of a firm emphasis on quality – not quantity – is the manner in which we should proceed, we thought we’d get some top tips from a lady that really knows when it comes to what we should drink this summer.

Step forward Debra Meiburg, an award-winning author and speaker who holds the top honour in the wine world: Master of Wine.  A resident of Hong Kong, Meiburg Wine Media, her multimedia platform for wine “edutainment” reaches over 60 million Chinese viewers monthly through videos, books and a wine travel television show called Taste the Wine.  Debra is a champion of the wine trade in Asia having founded the first truly Asian wine competition, the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition, as well as the Guide to the Hong Kong Wine Trade. In 2012, the drinks business named her the 7th Most Powerful Woman in Wine.  Here are her recommendations for the wines we should be drinking this summer.

Riesling: Crazy as we are about Mosel riesling (like the Dr. L from Dr. Loosen), this summer we’re exploring new ground with rieslings from Pfalz and Franken that are lean and racy (just the way we want to look in our bathing suits).  From Pfalz, try Reichsrat von Buhl Riesling Trocken, from Franken (in Bavaria, normally beer country) try Juliusspital Riesling Kabinett Trocken.

Sparkling wine: Champagne is a no-brainer for high-end celebrations, but if you want to take your bubbles to the beach try Lucien Albrecht’s Cremant d’Alsace for a lightly aromatic, frothy tipple that still speaks with a French accent, or something truly funky like a Lambrusco di Sorbara from old school Chiarli, a red sparkler to wipe away all memories of the sweet red Italian fizzes of less enlightened days.

Shiraz: No need to cellar your red wine just because it’s sweltering out.  There’s nothing better for smoky barbecue than equally smoky Aussie shiraz.  Marks and Spencers put out a bargain stunner called Marananga Dam (from Barossa rockstar Torbreck) while d’Arenberg The Wild Pixie Shiraz Roussanne is a fun twist on the more traditional Shiraz Viognier blend that delivers a Shiraz punch with a cleansing herbal finish.

Pictures: Debra Meibury, Reichsrat von Buhl Riesling Trocken, Lucien Albrecht’s Cremant d’Alsace, Marananga Dam