Here they are, the WYCPICASIs—Wines You Can Put Ice Cubes And Stuff In. The pronunciation is whippee-CASS-ees; the first C is silent, like the first one in BCRIC, as in shares. (Ask your parents”¦)

Among the overriding requirements are cheerful cheapness, full flavour, a bit of bite, some sweetness, and preferably a screw cap to get it open fast. Wide availability also counts. The customary baker’s dozen unfolds below.

Gallo Family Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($9) Just a little flowery, but biting back with lots of grapefruit. Clean, very crisp, and in-your-face fresh; well worth the reasonable price. For pork with grilled vegetables and just olive oil and fresh rosemary.

Gallo Family Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 ($10) Not as good as the Sauvignon Blanc but round and full, if a little mushy. Can handle the same pork as above and makes a reasonable sangria.

Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Selection Pinot Grigio N/V ($10) Limey and fresh. For fish and creamy pasta, and grilled chicken. One of the ongoing best buys in town. Even better: the three-litre bag-in-a-box for $34.

CITRA Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 ($9.99 for one litre) Smells all right, tastes all right, but why would you put plastic wrap over a screw cap? Great pizza piss-up party wine, but a little rough around the edges for anything more complex in the food department.

Obikwa Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($9.99) This is a reliable South African line producing fresh, clean, fruity table wines at excellent prices. A bright and perky Sauvignon that would welcome lime, lemon, and orange slices and a few brandy-soaked sugar cubes.

Obikwa Chardonnay 2007 ($9.99) If it had 10.5 percent rather than 13 it’d be easier on the digestion, but it’s got some decent fruit and a bright freshness. Lotsa ice cubes this time. And then chicken livers with fresh sage and prosciutto, steamed chard with goat cheese and rock salt. Afterward, one of those Georgian whole-wheat baguettes and fresh pears with honey and black pepper.

Obikwa Shiraz 2008 ($9.99) Spicy, berry-fruity antipasto wine that also handles smoked Cheddar and jalapeño-studded cheese. Nothing complicated, but a well made and solidly matchable dinner red.

Gandia Castillo de Liria 2006 ($10) Made from the Spanish bobal grape and shiraz, it’s what sangria was created for. Chill it, spritz it, or take it straight with paella, cold cream soup with watercress and garlic, or tapas of any type (even Romy Prasad’s present offering of Alsatian Tapas at So.Cial at Le Magasin, any five for $25).

Lindemans Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc/Bin 85 Pinot Grigio/Bin 65 Chardonnay Always-reliable quality, great taste, and super value. These are all 2008s, all $12. Bin 95 Sauvignon Blanc is gently green-tangy, not so overtly kiwi grassy; in many ways, it’s the perfect WYCPICASI white, meant to be drunk young—like, today. Apparently it shows “lifted” tropical flavours. I’ve never understood what that means—does it come up your nose? Adhere to the roof of your mouth?

Bin 85 Pinot Grigio throws out some lemon flavours but doesn’t fly very high in the face of B.C. Grigio competition. We’re taking a pass here.

Bin 65 Chardonnay is a good, fresh gulper with a touch of smokiness and not a lot of oak, which is just fine.

De Bortoli Traminer Riesling 2008 ($10.99) Some spice from the Traminer and some middling sweetness from the Riesling mean that if you’re sangri’ing it don’t add any more sugar, just some soda and sliced white nectarines, a bunch of berries, and maybe a spike of Cachaí§a. Or pour it with Asian stir-fry with strips of snapper. One of the standouts on this list.

Santa Rita 120 Merlot 2007 ($11.99) A big, roasty, raisiny food wine—bring on the blackened anything (even if it was inadvertently blackened). Add plums and cherries and blackberries, cherry soda and a slice of lime, lots of sugar and a handful of candied violets if you’re feeling flush.

Three-star selection

Best of the Bunch: De Bortoli Traminer Riesling

Favourite Red: Gandia Castillo de Liria

Favourite White: Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Selection Pinot Grigio