Drink: Wine recommendations

Fizz of the week Lindauer Special Reserve, pounds 8.99, Thresher, Wine Rack, Bottoms Up, Oddbins, Sainsbury's. A step up from the popular New Zealand sparkler Lindauer, the Special Reserve, from Auckland-based Montana, is a flavoursome, malty, non-vintage blend of the Champagne grapes Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With its rich, intense fruit flavours and a textured, creamy mousse of bubbles, this Kiwi fizz not only tastes good but looks pretty stylish too.

White of the week 1996 Alsace Gewurztraminer, pounds 5.95, Somerfield. From Turekheim, one of Alsace's most dependable co-operatives, this spritz-fresh rose petal scented Alsace white is redolent of the Gewurztraminer's typically exotic flavours of lychee and spice. Sold also at Safeway and Sainsbury's under their own label, this opulent Turkish Delight of a wine has been chosen by Tim Atkin and me as one of Grapevine 1998's (Ebury Press, pounds 8.99) 12 white wines of the year.

Red of the week 1995 Cosme Palacio Rioja, pounds 5.99, Safeway, Waitrose, Oddbins, Wine Cellar, Berkeley Wines. A Grapevine 1998 red wine of the year, this is a stylish, modern Rioja from Frenchman Jean Gervais' Palacio winery at Laguardia in Rioja's northerly Alavesa region. Harmoniously combining vanilla-infused French oak with the firm blackberry and cassis fruitiness of the Tempranillo grape, this fruity red represents the modern face of Rioja today - and its future.