​Cheap ‘n’ cheerful food and wine while the sun shines

And there you have it- Aubergine Parmigiani alla Raymondo. A simple, cheap and very tasty and wholesome veggie treat for two or even three- perfect for eating out on the patio on one of these glorious sunny evenings. And you thought this was just a wine column!

Still, it does rather beg the question- what wine ought I imbibe if I'm tucking into something similar? Well, tipplers, I have a confession to make. Like the wise punter at Royal Ascot who throws the form book out the window because he knows it's horses for courses and that the ones who slogged home first on the muddy tracks of Spring won't be troubling the judge too often on the faster racing surfaces of high summer, I too disregardall the brawny reds and complex whites which have sustained me most agreeably through the last few months. Give me nothing too fancy in the sunshine. All I want is a chilled, straightforward and inexpensive Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Today's first recommendation is therefore the fresh, fragrant and gloriously refreshing 2021 Dino Trebbiano Pinot Grigio ( currently £5.75, Tesco). This unoaked Italian white is brimful of juicy peach and sharper lime flavours alongside grassy and herbaceous aromatics. One can imagine sipping it with a warm chicken and coriander salad with rocket, sundried tomatoes and black olives. But only if one has run out of aubergines.

If you'd rather have a splash of pink, you shouldn't have to splash out too much on today's WINE OF THE WEEK, the elegant, refined and racy 2021 Tempus Two Quartz Series Rose (supplied to many local off-licences and wine merchants by United Wine Merchants- prices may vary but typically about £5-£7). This delicate salmon-pink rose is packed with rose petal, strawberry and tangy forest fruit flavours which are expertly complemented by beguiling backnotes suggestive of lemony biscuits. My beloved wife, the redoubtable Madame G. and I, had ours out on the patio of our lovely home, Rose Cottage, with grilled salmon, noodles and an Asian-style stir-fry.

Lovers of red, I have not forgotten you because I am you. The sun will not shine forever. But if it does you'll be looking for a light-bodied, delicately spiced drop. Step forward today's final selection- the smooth, supple and exuberantly juicy 2021 Tierra Y Hombre Pinot Noir (£8, M&S) is full of juicy red berry and cherry flavours alongside backnotes of dark chocolate and subtle hints of coriander and clove. It will go wonderfully well with either grilled fish or poultry. Better still, my Madame and I had ours with grilled Ciabatta topped with garlicky butter, grated cheddar and Parmesan, oregano and rosemary. Unusually for a red, it will also benefit from being served lightly chilled.

Aren't we very lucky to be living in a country where we can enjoy all this magnificent food and wine in such wonderful weather? And wouldn't we be even luckier if we lived in a country where it was like this more often? Try not to think too hard about the answer to that one. Till next week, tipplers, sante!