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Wines of the Week: La Vicalanda Reserva 2005; Tres olmos Verdejo Rueda 2010; Cuvée de Richard Rosé 2010

Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy

Sunday 07 August 2011 00:00 BST
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Sunday lunch

La Vicalanda Reserva 2005

From the vineyards surrounding the town of Hero, where there are bodegas on just about every street, this is a big, authoritative, elegant Rioja. Aged for one year in oak barrels, then allowed to think about itself for another two, the result is well-developed woody, black-fruit flavours and a long finish that deserve rare beef, game or mature, hard cheeses. £15.99, Wine Rack

Midweek meal

Tres olmos Verdejo Rueda 2010

A very different type of Spanish bottle from the Rueda region, where the Verdejo grape is dominant, this hasa Sauvignon Blanc-style crispness, minerality and a finish with notes of bitter almonds and lemons. Excellent with dishes such as shellfish risotto, it is part of a new range of decently priced, modern Iberians from the Wine Society. £7.50, thewinesociety.com

Bargain basement

Cuvée de Richard Rosé 2010

An utterly unpretentious, "does what it says on the label" Cinsault-based, screw-capped rosé from Hérault in the South of France, this is perfect for outdoor drinking at this time of year. Light, clean and refreshing with dry, berry-fruit flavours, it is best served ice-cold as a party drink or with tomato-based pasta dishes and salads. £4.99, majestic.co.uk (as part of a minimum purchase of your choice of six bottles)

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