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3 Macon Rouge; 2000 Chianti Classico; 2001 Palazzo della Torre

Southern Burgundy's Macon region is better known for its whites. But the warm 2003 helped the gamay grape to produce wines of substance and flavour like this perfumed red.

Under a fiver: 2003 Macon Rouge, £4.79 (from £5.99), Marks & Spencer

Southern Burgundy's Macon region is better known for its whites. But the warm 2003 helped the gamay grape to produce wines of substance and flavour like this perfumed red. Vivid cherryish fruit resembles a youthful red burgundy.

Under a tenner: 2000 Chianti Classico, Pieve di Spaltenna, £8.49, Oddbins

Well-proportioned and juicy, the sour cherry character of Tuscany's sangiovese grape, lightly tinged with oak spiciness, expresses itself here in an attractive, medium-bodied style made for a heartwarming pasta with pesto siciliano.

Splash out: 2001 Palazzo della Torre, IGT, Allegrini, £12.99-£14.99, Flying Corkscrew, Herts (01442 412311), Philglas & Swiggot, London SW18 (020-7924 4494)

Allegrini has modernised this traditional Veronese style by adding dried grapes to create a sort of super-valpolicella. Rich and juicy with ripe fruit flavours.