Whenever I'm introduced to someone as a wine writer there are two frequent reactions.

Most commonly people say: "I don't know much about wine but I know what I like."

That's fair enough but in this country we have such a huge range of wines to chose from. For me that diversity is part of the joy of wine drinking.

So my advice is to avoid sticking with the same tried and trusted wines all the time.

Almost as frequently people will ask: "Which is your favourite, red or white?" To which I answer that I like all three; red, white and ros.

Indeed we shouldn't disregard the pink stuff. I came up with a few choice examples in Tipping's Tipples a few weeks back. In that instance I suggested that ros, although not everyone's first choice, was at the very least a versatile wine.

A Bordeaux ros, Chateau de Sours 2003 was one of my suggestions. I'm glad to say that the 2004 vintage continues to be one of the best ross I've come across.

Unlike previous years, Chateau de Sours Ros 2004 is sealed with a screwcap. This is very handy for picnics, you don't need to pack a corkscrew. In fact I can't think of a wine better suited to picnicking.

More ruby red than pink, the wine is made entirely from merlot grapes. Jammy berry aromas give way to dry, rich flavours of strawberry with citrus fruit to finish. A wine with a decidedly summer outlook.

Snap up a bargain at Somerfield, which has a deal on an Argentinian red and white pairing, starting April 20.

Inti Reserve Shiraz 2004 is full and smooth with a good twist of smoky oak. It's a well-balanced wine with oodles of ripe raspberry, bramble fruit, spices and vibrant tannins.

I sometimes find it difficult to enthuse about Chardonnay. It's rather like a bird-watcher getting excited about seeing a pigeon, they're just so common. Nonetheless Inti Reserve Chardonnay 2004 is OK. It is nicely dry, creamy and smooth with citrus and tropical fruit. There's some vanilla and caramel flavours in there too, with white pepper to finish.

Chateau de Sours Ros 2004, around £8 at Majestic and Playford Ros 17/20

Inti Reserve Shiraz 2004, £6.99 (buy one get one free from April 20 to May 3) at Somerfield 16/20

Inti Reserve Chardonnay 2004, £6.99 (buy one get one free from April 20 to May 3) at Somerfield 15/20

Updated: 16:42 Friday, April 08, 2005