Looking for wines that are versatile enough to accompany any occasion from a picnic meal to a dinner party? Bordeaux wines have the range and are well priced from é5-é15.

Choose from the Bordeaux Blancs secs, which have a refreshing kick of acidity and marry well with summer salads, fruits and cheeses eaten al fresco.

One highly recommended is: Vieux Chateau Gaubert, 2001, é9 from Asda.

The Medoc and Graves, powerful reds, which are also good value, work well with meat dishes. A good buy: Chateau Anthonic, 2001, é8-9 from Corney & Barrow.

Indulge at the end of a meal with a sweet Sauternes to partner the dessert course. Try: Chateau Haut Bergeron, 1999, é9.48 from Asda.

Contact Bordeaux Wine Information Bureau on 020 7915 4788/www.vins-bordeaux.fr

* Jack Daniel's has always been a favourite tipple of music stars from Frank Sinatra to Rolling Stones' Keith Richards.

But who would have thought that it also makes a great marinade for meat and poultry.

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

1/4 finely chopped onions

1/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup Jack Daniel's whiskey

1 tsp salt

dash Worcestershire sauce

pepper to taste

Combine all the ingredients. Blend well. Use to marinade shrimp or scallops for one hour, or beef, chicken or pork in the fridge overnight. Tweet