Something For The Weekend?

4 Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde; 2000 Altano Reserva Douro; 2002 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Douro

Under a Fiver: 2004 Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde, £4.99, Booths; buy 2 = £4.99 (or £5.49), Majestic

Vinho verde is the quintessential summery dry white, a zingy refresher made from loureiro and arinto with a refreshing spritz and tangy acidity that needs chilling to be enjoyed at its most refreshing.

Under a Tenner: 2000 Altano Reserva Douro, £6.99, Waitrose from Monday

From the Symington family, this sleek Douro Valley red reflects the growing trend towards producing table wines from Douro grapes, producing in this instance a vibrantly spicy red with toasty oak and blackberry fruit.

Splash Out: 2002 Quinta do Crasto Reserva Douro, £11.99, Adnams ( www.adnams.co.uk, 01502 727222)

An inviting nose of damson plum and spicy vanilla is followed by exuberant, smooth-textured blackberry fruit flavours framed by a sheen of spicy oak and just the right level of fresh acidity.