With the summer gone AWOL again, leaving us cold and wet, the chilled whites we had been looking forward to just don't seem to fit the bill," writes Derek Kingwell.

Something slightly more substantial, like a fruity summer red, is what's required to get us through those pimpled picnics and bracing barbecues.

Here’s a selection of summer reds to warm the cockles ...

WineTime Valviadero 2006 13.5% £5.50. Spain – Toro. A ripe mix of raspberry and redcurrant aromas with a herby edge deliver refreshing sweet and sour fruit flavours with a mild hint of liquorice on the finish. Totally refreshing! Best Value.

WineTime Riff Rosso Merlot Cabernet 2006 12.5% £8.35. Italy – Northern Trentino. Mocha aromas wrapped in a fruity blackcurrant blanket lead to soft fresh blackcurrant flavours with a bitter hint of plum on the finish. Fresh, balanced and not too big – a perfect summer red.

Oddbins Castillo del Andaluz Tempranillo-Syrah 2008 13% £4.99. Spain (£3.99 as part of a mixed dozen). Juicy blackcurrant aromas with a mild paprika edge deliver initial violet flavours refreshed by a rush of young blackcurrant fruit before the return of paprika spice on the finish. Cheap and cheerful. Oddbins Chianti Poggio Tempesta 2007 12.5% £9.99 (£7.99 as part of a mixed dozen). Italy – Tuscany. Concentrated soft cherry aromas with a savoury spice background lead to ripe yet refreshing cherry and red berry flavours before a drying mineral edge on the finish. Quite big but still gentle and refreshing. Booths Portada 2006 12% £4.99. Portugal – Estremadura. Spiced plum aromas with a dark honey backdrop deliver ripe plum and bitter cherry flavours to a tangy finish. Barbecue winner, that's if we ever get the weather.

Booths La Madone Fleurie 2007 13% £8.49. France – Beaujolais. Soft perfumed cherry aromas with a hint of almond lead to refreshing juicy cherry flavours before a little pepper on the finish. A little glass of juicy summer sunshine. Connoisseur’s Choice.

Majestic Château de la Terrière Beaujolais-Villages 2007 13% £8.69. France - Beaujolais (Buy 2 save 20% = £6.95 per bottle. Warm aromas of cherry and raspberry with a pepper sprinkle deliver juicy young cherry flavours that carry a refreshing tang to the finish. Juicy, refreshing and ever so easy! Majestic Château Cazal Viel Cuvée des Fées St Chinian 2007 13% £8.99. France – St Chinian (Buy 2 save £2 = £7.99 per bottle). Herby blackcurrant aromas with hints of pepper and spice lead to deeper stalky blackcurrant and bitter cherry flavours before touches of green pepper, chocolate and pepper on the finish. A lovely summery balance of herb and fruit. Note: Majestic sells wines and spirits with a minimum purchase of 12 bottles, mixed by any style or price.