The drinks edit

It’s sunny outside and lovely al fresco meals are crying out for a special bottle – or two!

sublime summer wine

Spar secrets

✢ This stunning bottle of wine looks like it came from a fancy cellar and was first drawn to my attention by our Beauty Director. ‘It’s from SPAR!’ she revealed after buying it up in bulk. Smooth and full of chocolatey floral aromas, this Romanian number pairs well with roasts and any dishes with rich, sticky sauces.

Wildflower Pinot Noir, £6.50, SPAR branches

✢ Another SPAR special is this award-winning red, also for under a tenner. Full of hedgerow fruits with undertones of vanilla and oak, it partners nicely with barbecued beef, ratatouille or herby chicken dishes. Languedoc Rouge,

£7, SPAR branches

ROYAL BARGAIN

Wine suppliers to the Queen and Prince Charles, is it any wonder there’s a branch of Berry Bros. & Rudd just outside the back door of Clarence House? This utterly delicious fizz is truly posh with a very classy label, but no Champagne price tag. Tastes just as good, we say! Crémant de Limoux, £12.95, bbr.com

BRITISH PINOT

This lovely ripe, lightly oaked Pinot from awardwinning Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex is begging to be taken on a picnic. Perfect with smoked fish, ham and sausage rolls. A very nice new vintage! Bolney Estate Pinot

Noir, £19.99, Waitrose, Rushfields Farm Shop and bolneywineestate.com

FANCY FIZZ

Add a touch of class to summer garden parties with this beautiful Tiffany-blue label emblazoned with gold print. It has lovely toasted apple undertones and really keeps its bubbles. taste the difference Brut Non-Vintage Champagne, £18, Sainsbury’s

SICILIAN DREAM

This dark, rich and fruity red would go perfectly with any of the main dishes from our Sicilian food shoot (on page 156). It coats the palate, combining immediate pleasure with a great ageing capacity, so it’s a keeper for special occasions as it will go up in value. Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2016, £45, Waitrose and Armit Wines