Five crowd-pleasing budget pours for your BBQ, including an Aldi Malbec for under €10

Sure, if it’s a small intimate affair, or if you’re just feeling flush, you might like to break out the big guns. A recent Californian Wines summer tasting reminded me of how brilliantly these wines evoke the sunny climes they’re grown in, and how well the generous flavours of oaked Chardonnay or full-throttle Zinfandel would stand up to bold marinades and seared proteins with their Maillard-effect caramelisation.

The snag is that the better-made expressions come with correspondingly big price tags, and anything under the €30 or €40 mark can be kinda clunky — with the standout exception of Cline Family Cellars Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2020 (€23.50, jnwine.com) with its punchy pineapple and spiced apple character and balanced oak. But besides, oaked Chardonnay is not everyone’s bag, even well-made examples, so a bit risky if inviting a gang.

Instead, today I’ve recommended wines that are crowd-pleasing in style and easy on the pocket. One-litre bottles are always a fun party pour, and our wine of the week comes in at the equivalent of €16 for 75cl.

A little cheaper is the juicy red blend from a smart new range of Alicante wines, which also includes a Rosé Monastrell (think candied plums) and an Airen Sauvignon Blanc blend (herbed peach and white flowers), or there’s a solid Malbec from Aldi’s seasonal spring-summer cellar.

For rosé fans, this week’s suggestion is pretty in appearance and character, with more aromatic concentration than many very pale Provencal style rosés.

Finally, a booze-free suggestion from Niamh Hegarty’s BKultured, whose previously featured water kefir is widely available in flavours like Jamin’ Ginger & Turmeric (€4, 330ml, Ardkeen). This new product has no added flavouring, so just well water, cane sugar and the water kefir cultures that consume much of the sugar to produce a naturally sparkling fermented drink with lots of tangy character. The 750ml bottle offers an alcohol-free alternative that can be served in champagne flutes for non-drinkers to partake in a celebratory party.

Hegarty has also developed a bespoke version for the Michelin-starred Terre restaurant, flavoured with Mexican Marigold foraged from Castlemartyr Estate, bringing subtle pineapple and passion fruit flavours.

Wines of the week

Sonnhof Social Club Gruner Veltliner Landwein, Kamptal, Austria, 12.5pc, €24.50 (1 litre) An organic charmer in a litre bottle that’s perfect for getting the party started, especially if there’s herb-heavy fish burgers on the barbecue, though the rich lemon curd and roast pear fruits, generous weight and lively acidity make this a versatile pairing for a range of flavours. Look out too for the organic Giol Pinot Grigio (€22.95, 1 litre, same stockists) for a crowd-pleaser with lemongrass notes and food-friendly acidity. Ely Wine Shop, The Wine Pair, O’Leary’s Cootehill, Neighbourhood Wine; Quintessential Wines; quintessentialwines.ie

Terrós Garnacha Monastrell Merlot, DOP Alicante, Spain, 14pc, €15 A ripe and spicy red with juicy black fruits and enough tannins to tackle mixed grills, but not so much that you couldn’t chill lightly to sharpen the cherry tartness and fragrant hibiscus character. Cappagh Stores, Carpenter Off-Licence, Country Crest Farm Shop, Larry’s Off-Licence, Mullin’s Foodstore, Myles Creek Off-Licence, Next Door Kilcoole, SuperValu Santry, The Bell Carryout, The Lime Kiln

Mejor Y Mejor Malbec Reserva 2022, Bío Bío Valley, Chile, 14pc, €9.99 From one of Chile’s most southerly cool-climate wine regions comes this very aromatic take on the Malbec grape, with concentrated blackcurrant and cherry fruits layered with herbal pot pourri aromas and good freshness and cherry lift on the palate. A solid choice for a crowd; perfect with burgers and bangers. Aldi

Domaine Petit Candumy Rosé 2023, Var IGP, France, 12.5pc, €13 A very pale rosé almost onion skin in colour with restrained, delicate character that still delivers. Think ripe raspberry, peach and pretty floral notes, and very fresh but with decent weight to stand up to barbecued seafood and salads. Number 21 (various), Ardkeen, Cappagh Stores, Country Crest Farm Shop, DrinkStore, Mace Black Bull, Reilly’s Daybreak, Simpsons Letterkenny, Sweeney’s Claddaghduff

BKultured Sparkling Water Kefir , Cork, Ireland, 0pc, €19 750ml Tangy and refreshing with subtle fruity notes and naturally bubbly for a booze-free alternative to sparkling wine, it’s amazing to think these flavours can be derived from core ingredients of well water, cane sugar and water kefir cultures. An interesting alternative to de-alcoholised wine. Selected independent food stores, bkultured.com