I used to love that soft drink with, “the totally tropical taste”.

Then I grew up, my palate changed and the syrupy-sweet, pineapple and grapefruit flavoured, fizzy-pop lost its appeal.

Besides, someone told me that the drink in question wasn’t available in the Caribbean, as the television ad portrayed. The illusion was shattered.

These days I’m more likely to look for the totally tropical taste in a dry white wine; flavours that are a refreshing tonic on a balmy evening, after a hard day’s toil.

Those tropical flavours abound in the following, which I can heartily recommend for summer-night sipping.

Try Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference South African Chenin Blanc 2009, which is made for the supermarket by the legendary winemaker Ken Forrester, nicknamed Mr Chenin Blanc. It’s rich and concentrated, with flavours of honey, lemon, tropical fruit and a long finish.

Online merchant FindWine has a tasty Aussie white made from verdelho, which is often associated with Madeira. Windowrie ‘The Mill’ Verdehlo 2008, from the Central Ranges in Oz, is generously fruity and full-flavoured. Fresh, lively and suggesting pineapple and lemons it is great drinking for under £7.

Or head to California’s Lodi growing region and a flavoursome un-oaked viognier. Clay Station Viognier 2009 has a creamy texture and long, perfumed flavours of peach and tropical fruit.

Brilliant as an aperitif, as are this week’s other wine suggestions, this wine will also pair with grilled chicken smothered in herbs.

  • Taste the Difference South African Chenin Blanc 2009, £6.99 at Sainsbury’s 18/20 .
  • Windowrie ‘The Mill’ Verdehlo 2008, Central Ranges, £6.99 from FindWine (www.findwine.co.uk) 17/20 .
  • Clay Station Viognier 2009, Lodi, £8.95 from The Wine Society 17/20 .