DEAR JESSICA: I'm going to spend a long weekend with my parents. What wine do you suggest I bring to get me through endless hours of game shows, programmes about the good old days' and crossword puzzles?

Romy Smith, Henley

JESSICA UNCORKED: I'm not sure it really matters what wine you bring as long as there's enough of it.

In reality, you probably won't be drinking the wine you choose anyway. Your parents will have a bottle of red open and breathing or some white chilling to serve with dinner.

But don't let this discourage you from bringing good plonk. The wine you bring will go into their cellar and served up on a future visit.

For something light and easily sipable that on a sunny day, try a Louis Latour, Grand Ardèche Chardonnay. This French 2005 is ready to drink now, or can hold for a few years if your visits aren't as frequent as your parents would like.

The colour is a deep yellow, similar to the banana in Carmen Miranda's turban, with legs to equal the Brazilian entertainer. The bouquet continues the tropical fruit theme. Opening up with citrus aromas tinged with vanilla. On the palate it is rich and viscous, coating the mouth with layers of ripe fruit nicely balanced with freshness so as not to be too heavy. It finishes with the glorious French Oak. Lasting longer than the boyfriend your parents preferred.

This white is strong enough to hold up on its own if you're desperate for a drink before dinner. However, it pairs nicely with gammon, roast pork, or pasta salad with grilled artichokes, sun-dried tomatoes, and Parmesan. So relax and enjoy their wine now, knowing soon you can drink a glass of this French Chardonnay on your next visit.

Oh, and if your parents offer you both red and white with dinner, the next question will inevitably be why you haven't made them grandparents yet.

You can buy the Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay at Majestic Wine Warehouse, normally £7.99, but you save a £1 when you buy two bottles.