My Round: Richard Ehrlich accepts a slap on the wrist with good grace

My favourite email, sent to me by someone who worked in the legal department of this newspaper, said, in part: "We've received a (very) minor slap on the wrist for describing the International Wine Challenge competition as the wine Oscars. The Academy has registered Oscars as a trademark, and doesn't want the phrase diluted or used in any context which is (in its words) 'harmful to its reputation and the prestige of its awards'." Other trademark-owners who have made similar complaints (though not about yours truly) include Tetra Pak, Thermos and Formica.

The Oscars are a special case; I doubt anyone would describe Hellmann's, for instance, as "the Formica of the industrial mayonnaise world". And I have rather more sympathy for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which owns the Oscars, than I'd have expected. If I were in its position, I wouldn't want my name used in connection with the annual awards presented by, say, the Association of Hernia Truss Manufacturers.

But what do you do if you have one of the most famous wine names in the world yet can't apply it to your own wines? This is the position in which Michael Mondavi, of the famous California wine family, finds himself. The Mondavi company was acquired in 2004 by Constellation Brands, the largest wine company in the world and owner of such names as Hardys, Banrock Station and Kumala. Constellation paid around $1bn (about £526m) for Mondavi, so it's entirely understandable that it wants to keep the name for itself.

The problem is that Michael Mondavi has stayed in the wine business, and is expanding by spending an undisclosed number of millions on the well-established Carneros Creek winery in the Napa Valley. He aims to make a range of wines there, including a super-premium Cabernet Sauvignon, using fruit from his already sizeable vineyard holdings. And, naturally, he wants to be able to use his name on at least some of the wines.

At the moment, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times, relations between the two parties remain cordial. But if it's understandable that Constellation wants to keep the Mondavi name for itself, it's also understandable that Mr Mondavi would like to be able to use it too. It's his name, after all. And putting it on the label would undoubtedly help his prospects, especially with the high-end Cabernet (which is expected to retail in the USA for around $150 (about £80).

One outcome of the forthcoming discussions can be taken for granted: lawyers will make piles of money. But it would be nice to see the disagreement resolved through reasonable compromise rather than costly litigation. If I were in Constellation's position, for instance, I don't think I'd object too strenuously to seeing Mr Mondavi's signature on the labels as long as he didn't call the wines Mondavi. Things will get more complicated if Mondavi's father, Robert - and his siblings - try to get back into the wine business. And they seem to be planning to do just that. The lawyers may already be shopping around for new Lear jets - and I hope I'm allowed to use that trademark name in this context.

Much more mundane news over here from Tesco. Its annual Autumn Wine Festival begins this Wednesday (or tomorrow on www.tesco.com) and ends on 10 October (15 October online). As always, it has genuinely good wines on genuinely good offers. Three are featured on the right. Others include several old favourites, especially - star attraction - Tim Adams The Fergus (£7.49 from £9.99), Tesco Finest Barolo 2002 (£8.99 from £12.99), Tesco Finest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2004 (£7.49 from £9.99), and Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2005, a real steal at £5.98 from £7.98. Each one a bargain worth buying in bulk.

Three bargains from Tesco

Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (£3.99 from £5.99) From the Concha y Toro winery of Chile, a supple, plummy, nicely oaked middle-weight Cabernet. Great price, great with a steak.

Tesco Finest South African Chenin Blanc (£3.74 from £4.99) From South Africa's Emperor of Chenin, a clean, crisp, exemplary entry- level introduction to this potentially outstanding grape variety.

Graham Beck Pinotage 2004 (£4.99 from £6.99) Another South African, this one a great expression of the country's indigenous grape variety. Packed with spicy, savoury, aromatic fruit.