Wine Box: Onset of summer

The average London man won't go within a supertanker's turning circle of the kitchen cooker, but light a barbecue and he's brandishing the tongs like a Samurai warrior.

We relish pulling chilled whites from a cool box. Trouble is, we often pick the wrong wines to put in it. An oaky Chardonnay will turn limp and flabby as soon as it warms up.

Choose wines with some bite and acidity - aromatic or off-dry whites, soft, juicy reds and light, fun fizzes. And don't forget those freeze blocks/jackets - even a wine that's frozen solid will thaw fast.

Schloss Wallhausen Riesling Kabinett 1999 (Sainsbury's, £7.99). This is a light-alcohol, high-quality vintage full of apple, peach and apricot flavours, plus a streak of fresh lime, which is fantastic with spicy samosas and bhajis.

Ch?teau de Coulaine, Chinon 1999 (Safeway, £5.99). Some Chinon reds have a real gush of raspberry and blackcurrant flavours and this organic version is a good example. Delicious chilled and a terrific partner to salad ni?oise.

Tyrrell's Old Winery Semillon 2001 (Majestic, £6.99). Lovely waxy, toasty Semillon from Oz's Hunter Valley with fleshy apple, dried apricot and smoky leather aromas. Lovely with fresh smoked salmon and those giant Indian Ocean prawns.

Previously on Wine Box