Best-value wines and spirits to entertain with this summer

Summertime, and the living certainly should be easy when it comes to drinks, even when a crowd is heading over. Save the fancy decanters and venerable old vintages for Christmas – instead pick youthful, easy-going wines, brightly fruity, unoaked and with refreshing, zippy acidity. Preferably in bottles with screw caps.

If you’re entertaining a pack, make the wines affordable, too. It’s tricky to prise out the rare gems at around £5-£6, but here I’ve done just that, saving some of my best-value recommendations of the whole summer for this column.

They are, on the whole, light and juicy styles, certainly not wines to hang on to, but they do suit high summer and a holiday vibe. For more serious food-matching, there’s a premium pinot and a gorgeously ripe viognier here too.

Fizz sales are really sparkling this summer so I’ve hand-picked a trio of bubbles to suit any celebration, from prosecco (party pop and the base for cocktails), French crémant (a lot like champagne, but without the price tag) and an impressive English bubbly for very special moments.

Finally, to the other bottles – a gin of exceptional quality, a summery new liqueur and a stylish non-alcoholic drink, because those who don’t want the booze should never be fobbed off with boring old OJ.

Keep everything well-chilled, except the richer reds, even if means filling a paddling pool with ice and plunging the bottles in.

Raise your glasses – here’s to high summer!

Whites

Santa Ema Sauvignon Gris 2016, Chile Majestic, £9.99 or £7.99 in a mixed six

Richer in flavour and texture than its cousin. A good match for a range of savoury dishes.

Gayda Viognier 2016, Pays d’Oc, France oxfordwine. co.uk, £9.99

Peachy, quite rich but also dry. It’s a clever wine to pair with grilled chicken or fresh salmon.

Le Stelle Vermentino 2016, SardiniaSelected Waitrose stores, £8.79 (£6.99 until 29 Aug)

Here’s an affordable example of this popular grape. A dry, elegant cocktail of tangerine and pink grapefruit.

Reds

Pure South Pinot Noir 2016, Tasmania, Australia M&S, £15 (£13 until 4 Sept)

Premium New World pinot, silky smooth and brightly fruity. Pour on its own.

The Wine Atlas Minervois 2015, France Asda, £5.48 (£5 until 13 Sept)

Ace offer on a versatile, laid-back southern French red, rounded and soft with brambles and cassis.

The Takeout Sangiovese 2015, Rubicone, Italy Sainsbury’s, £4.95

A lighter red, juicy and tangy with fresh red cherries. Give this bargain buy a gentle chill.

Rosé

Torres Viña Sol Rosé 2016, Catalonia, Spain Asda, £6.98 (£6 until 23 Aug)

A popular pink and quite right too. It’s dry and delicate – perfect for summer sipping.

Tanners French Rosé 2016, CÔtes de Gascoigne tanners-wines.co.uk, £8.20

Always one of the most attractive rosés and this year’s has lots of lively red berry fruit.

Villa Maria Private Bin Rosé 2016, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand Wine Rack, £9.99

Super-fresh and off-dry, bursting with cranberry and raspberry flavours.

Sparkling

Sylvoz Prosecco, Treviso Le Colture Brut, Italy corneyandbarrow.com, £12.95

A cut well above the average prosecco. Think fresh peaches, lemon and plenty of satin-soft froth.

L’Extra par Langlois Rosé NV, Crémant de Loire, France Majestic, £13.99 or £10.99 in a mixed six

Well-crafted with the tang of raspberries at its heart. A rosé fizz fit for a celebration.

Lyme Bay Brut Reserve 2014, Devon, Englandgreatwesternwine.co.uk, £21.50 (£18.95 until 30 Aug)

Delicious notes of lime, toast and light biscuit… great for a brunch.

Spirits and softs

Pothecary Gin, Dorset, England ginkiosk.com, £39 for 50cl

One of the best new gins around, with floral scents of lavender and lily, with a gorgeously smooth texture.

Cointreau Blood Orange Liqueur, Angers, France Waitrose, £17 for 50cl

Top up a dash with plenty of cold prosecco for a cool and refreshing sundowner.

Fentimans Ginger Beer & Muddled LimeAsda, £1.80

These vibrant flavours are made for a hot day. Not oversweet, it makes a neat change for drivers and non-drinkers.