Something for the weekend?

Montalto Sangiovese Nero d'Avola; 2002 Drylands Sauvignon Blanc; 2001 Gigondas Les Espalines

Under a fiver: 2002 Montalto Sangiovese Nero d'Avola £4.99, Safeway

This southern Italian red combines the chianti grape, sangiovese, with Sicily's native nero d'avola to pleasing effect. The full-flavoured blend of ripe berry fruitiness is suitably chunky for pasta and pizza. Encouraging too to see the Italians finally acknowledging the benefits of screwcaps for everyday reds.

Under a tenner: 2002 Drylands Sauvignon Blanc £9.93, Asda, selected stores

From Nobilo's new Drylands winery in New Zealand's Marlborough region, this aromatic dry sauvignon displays the classic, assertive green bean-like piquancy of the Marlborough style. Tropical passion fruit and gooseberry flavours in abundance and a tangy freshness make it ideal for white fish, grilled or baked.

Splash out: 2001 Gigondas Les Espalines, Cuvée Les Tendrelles £12.99, Waitrose

This fine dry red is how Gigondas should be. Patrick Lesec's estate blend of the southern Rhône grapes has the aromatically peppery and spicy cut of the syrah jib and beyond it a mouthful of voluptuously spicy fruit whose old vine concentration and richness coats the tongue in powerful blackberry flavours.