With the summer months, comes lovely long evenings sitting outside sharing a bottle of something fab. R is the main wine buyer for our family – and he errs on quality not quantity – which means we get to enjoy some lovely tipples. As winter fully gives way to spring, and the onset of summer, we’ve been making the most of some of the more seasonal things on offer. Here are a few faves we’ve been loving:

Chene Bleu Rose 2012: a full-bodied rose from the Rhone, made with Grenache and Syrah. It has great depth of flavour, is crisp but lightly sweet, £17.99, Waitrose Cellar)

Quinta De Azevedo Vinho Verde 2013: I drank buckets of this stuff last summer, a really light vinho verde, it has the slightly tingle on the tongue you’d expect, and at only 11% is infinitely quaffable. Great for a summer party (£9.99, Majestic)

Coteaux du Giennois, Domaine de Villargeau 2013 Rose: This is a lovely rose to have with food, really warm and flavourful it has enough body to match with spiced chicken or smoked fish, and feels very summery (£12, Wine Society)

Viñalba Malbec-Touriga Nacional Reservado 2013 Mendoza: Finding a good red wine to drink in the summer can be tricky, but I think this is a definite sunshine wine. Robust black fruit and a long finish, it goes really well with spicy, barbecued meats; but it’s equally drinkable on its own. (£11.99, Majestic)

Cotes De Nuits Villages Blanc Bertrand Ambroise: This delicious white was a present, so it’s a little on the pricier side, but well worth the extra pennies. A crisp and fresh Chardonnay, with some strong oak coming through, it has a nutty, buttery flavour which I just love. (£22.49, Fraziers)