Having given some recommendations for the reds, now we have something for the white wine drinkers. To get your barbeque off to a perfect start, why not begin with a glass of fizz? A glass of something sparking always seems like a bit of a treat to me but without having to cost a fortune. My top tip at the moment is a beautiful glass of Prosecco di Conegliano. This wine is made to be drunk out in the sun, coming from the home of beautiful food and outdoor living - Italy. Packed with light, fresh apple and melon flavours and with the benefit of only being 11%, it makes it the perfect aperitif. It is worth knowing that if it has’ frizzante’ on the label then it means it is semi-sparkling and therefore will not have a champagne cork to go pop! There are many to choose from on the market at the moment, including pink Prosecco, so lots to try.

Moving onto the food. Chicken is always a popular barbeque choice. With this meat I would recommend quite a rich creamy Chardonnay. The Grand Ardeche Chardonnay by Louis Latour is exactly what you are looking for with it’s nutty, buttery flavours. If you prefer a slightly lighter chardonnay and are looking for a real bargain then try Neblina Chardonnay from Chile. Full of ripe tropical fruit, it’s perfect for a party.

Seafood has so many great options to match it with, from Sherry to Sauvignon Blanc. Garlic prawns, either cooked in a foil parcel or on skewers, make a truly traditional match with a nice chilled glass of Manzanilla Sherry. Produced and matured in Sanlucar de Barrameda, it echoes the sea with it's crisp salty tang. This sherry will also match to side dishes like olives and salted almonds. Light seafood salads partner very well with a glass of New Zealand Sauvignon. There are so many great offers around at the moment on a range of New Zealand Sauvignons that I can understand how it may be hard to choose. My tip would be Fairleigh Estate Sauvignon; with it’s lashings of gooseberry fruit and balanced acidity, its summer drinking encapsulated.

If you are looking for something to go with a range of different dishes or are just looking for a great party white, then try one of the increasingly popular Pinot Grigios on the market. Pinot Grigio Superiore, Cantina Breganze fills the mouth with delicate, light honeysuckle and citrus flavours. This wine is great value for money and offers a lot more fruit on the pallet then many of it’s rivals.

To finish off your food, how about some grilled pineapple - paired with a glass of Brown Brothers' Orange and Flora Muscat? Pudding wines seem to be sadly underrated by many people, but they really do turn a simple pudding into an indulgent treat. The balanced acidity of this one leaves you with a clean fresh palate, full of orange blossom and spice. Why not convert your friends to the joy of these wines?

If you are interested in trying any of these wines I recommend a web search to find out who is offering the best prices. As I have mentioned before these wines can mostly be found in the following: Majestic Wine, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Oddbins. Happy barbequing!

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