Wines of the week

White 1998 Capel Vale Verdelho, pounds 6.99, Majestic Wines (rising to pounds 7.99 after 3 August). With its jasmine and honeysuckle scents and refreshing, citrus-zest spritz, this Western Australian white wine has a a taste redolent of exotic dried fruits. The packaging also makes quite a statement, with its tall, Italian-style bottle.

Red 1997 Metala Shiraz/ Cabernet Sauvignon, pounds 6.99, Safeway. There's always something a little special about Metala's traditional reds from South Australia's Langhorne Creek region. Made by Nigel Dolan, this is a Mediterranean- style red with aromas redolent of rosemary and sage and a velvet-textured fruitiness that slips down moreishly.