Wines of the week: Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2010; Doña Dominga Single Vineyard Shiraz 2010; The Ned Black Label Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy

Sunday lunch

Wente Morning Fog Chardonnay 2010

Made from Chardonnay grapes grown in California's fog-cooled Livermore Valley by a family that has been making wine there for more than 125 years. This isa wonderfully balanced, elegant bottle, with enough spice from ageing in old oak barrels to counter the upfront flavours of tropical and orchard fruits. Very food-friendly – try it with herby roast chicken or smoked haddock with parsley sauce. £11.99, oxfordwine.co.uk; £11.21, vintage marque.com (minimum order 12 bottles)

Midweek meal

Doña Dominga Single Vineyard Shiraz 2010

Is there any European grape the Chileans cannot work their magic on? Some more oak-ageing does the trick of taming the often-wild Shiraz here, but there is also added complexity from a dash of Malbec. The result is nicely fresh on the palate, underpinned with lots of dark fruits and some fairly restrained black pepper and other spices, making this an excellent choice for a midweek baked pasta – a cannelloni or lasagne. £7.99, Waitrose

Bargain basement

The Ned Black Label Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Perfect with the last of this year's asparagus or a grilled new-season mackerel, this is a terrific deal on one of the best Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs, a region where the competition is extremely tough. Absolutely bang-on character aromas of nettles and cut grass lead to refreshing, minerally and mouth-tingling tastes of gooseberry and green herbs. £6.49 (for two as part of six mixed bottles; single bottle £8.11, normally £9.99), majestic.co.uk