Food & Drink: Summer Choice

IN A Victoria Wine summer tasting the following stood out: 1992 AC Gaillac Blanc (pounds 3.75, reduced to pounds 3.49 for June; also pounds 3.59, Safeway, pounds 3.69, Oddbins). Intriguing bouquet and fresh lemony fruitiness.

1992 Lazio White Pallavicini (pounds 2.99). Fragrant if innocuous off-dry white.

1992 La Serre Sauvignon Blanc, vin de pays d'Oc (pounds 3.99). Aromatic, refreshing new-wave sauvignon.

1992 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Chardonnay, (pounds 4.99). Classic Australian tropical-fruit character, slightly drier than the Lindemans Bin 65 Chardonnay 1992.

1992 Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc (pounds 2.99 half). Pungent gooseberry-like New Zealand dry white sauvignon.

1992 Coopers Creek Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (pounds 6.39). Classier version of the previous wine.

1991 Leziria Red (pounds 2.59, reduced to pounds 1.99 for June). Rustic Portuguese best-seller.

Santa Julia Argentinian Red (pounds 3.59). Juicy, good value, new world claret-like red.

1988 Great Western Brut, Seppelt (pounds 4.99). Crisp, tangy. Best of the under-pounds 5 sparklers.

Moscato del Piemonte, Ca Bauda (pounds 1.99). Good value grapey/sherberty off-dry fizz.

1990 Green Point Vineyards (pounds 9.99, also at Majestic, Oddbins, selected Sainsbury's). Latest release of Australian sparkler, threatening to put its Moet et Chandon parent in the shade.

Optional wine range, available to order and well worth it: Chivite Reserva Navarra (pounds 4.49) Strawberry fruity Navarra red with a hint of vanilla. 1989 Cabernet Alto-Adige tenuta Schlosshof Riserva, Barone Felix Longo (pounds 4.99). Appealing, soft-textured peppery cabernet sauvignon/franc blend. Albarino Condes de Alberei, D O Rias Baixas 1992 (pounds 6.99). Exciting dry white from the west of Spain.