Something For The Weekend?

3 Douglas Green Cinsaut Pinotage 2002; Saint Véran Blason de Bourgogne 2003; Villa Maria Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Under a fiver: 2003 Douglas Green Cinsaut Pinotage (£4.49, Safeway, Tesco)

I've no idea who Douglas Green is but this unpretentious rustic South African red, with good honest berry fruitiness, is in the classic Côtes du Rhône mould. A juicy red to wash down sausages or a hearty chicken broth with lentils and chorizo.

Under a tenner: 2002 Saint Véran Blason de Bourgogne (£5.99, Waitrose, reduced from £7.99 until Sunday week)

Blason de Bourgogne is a belated attempt by burgundians to keep up with New World chardonnay. At this price, this delicate wine, with its underlying minerally notes, from vineyards next to Pouilly Fuissé, certainly does that.

Splash out: 2003 Villa Maria Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc (£11.99, Oddbins)

The quintessence of Marlborough sauvignon, intensely, aromatic, with lovely richness and length of flavour perfectly balanced by crisp and zesty tones of grapefruity acidity. This is as good as New Zealand sauvignon blanc gets.