Bargain of the week
Zalze Shiraz/Mourvedre/Viognier 2011, £6.39 (usually £7.99), Waitrose
An inspired blend of three red grapes from the Western Cape in South Africa that is, in a word, plush.
Can I have another word? Bargain. Another? Refill.
White WINE
Paul Cluver Ferricrete Riesling 2012, £11.99, Marks & Spencer
An aromatic delight from South Africa, this is honeysuckle and lime delivered with a tingle on the tongue. Part of this year’s Wine Relief effort, at least 10 per cent of sales until Red Nose Day will be donated to Comic Relief.
Food pairing: Serve it with a Thai curry for a further feel-good factor.
Red WINE
Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, £6.99, Sainsbury’s
What Chile does brilliantly is a big, bold, unbelievable value Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks to a proportion of the grapes being sourced from the Maipo Valley, you’ll find spice and tons of luscious blackcurrant fruit flavours in the glass.
Food pairing: Think comfort food - shepherd’s pie, burgers, lasagne . . .
Rose WINE
Tesco Finest Domaine de Sours Rose 2011, £6 (normally £7.99), Tesco
Say Bordeaux and I see red. Wines at the top end of the market can sell for thousands of pounds for a single bottle. But at the other end there are some brilliant wines. I love this redcurrant-scented Bordeaux rosé made from Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Food pairing: Fishcakes and a huge herby salad.