Wines of the week: Gudarra Aglicanico del Vulture Bisceglia 2007; Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2010; Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy

Sunday lunch

Gudarra Aglicanico del Vulture Bisceglia 2007

Southern Italy now produces wines of real quality and this is top-notch. Made from the local Aglianico grape, aged in oak on the slopes of Mount Vulture in the Basilicata region, it is a voluptuous, darkly sensuous wine, with tastes of baked black fruits and a light touch of spice delivering serious depth of flavour. Decant and savour with a butterfly leg of lamb or rare roast beef. £15.73 (minimum purchase six bottles), bibendum-wine.co.uk; £17.99, lastdropwines.com

Midweek meal

Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2010

Another obscure area, the Côtes de Thongue near Pezenas in the Languedoc, produces this wonderfully drinkable, velvety smooth Syrah that would be perfect with any Mediterranean foods. Single varietals are uncommon in a region where red blends rule, but here it allows full expression of the grape, delivering perfumed aromas, rich raspberry flavours, very fine tannins and a lip-smacking finish. £6.96 (minimum purchase 12 bottles), rfvintners.co.uk ; £8.95, scarlet-wines.co.uk

Bargain basement

Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most familiar wines on supermarket shelves. Despite some duds, lovers of this wine will find many excellent examples at great prices. Named after the Maori god of winds, this bottle is typically full of refreshing acidity with a balance of tropical-fruit flavours, hedgerow nettles and green herbs. Match with grilled white fish. £6.99 (until 28 February, normally £8.99), Co-op stores