Wine: Something For The Weekend

1 Viña Herminia Rioja Crianza; 2003 Rully La Bergerie ; 2003 Gilles Robin Crozes Hermitage, Cuvée Albéric Bouvet

Under a Fiver

2001 Viña Herminia Rioja Crianza £4.36, down from £6.55, Waitrose

The juicy strawberry fruit flavour of rioja's tempranillo grape with a typical undertone of sweet vanilla from ageing in French and American oak barrels, makes this a perfect all-purpose red for hot and cold meats over the festive period.

Under a Tenner

2003 Rully La Bergerie £5.99, down from £9.99, Co-op

This is a delicious white burgundy from Domaine Roland Sounit in the Côte Chalonnaise, a dry white with lightly toasted oak, rich, creamy texture and the full panoply of buttery flavours of chardonnay. A real treat.

Splash Out

2003 Gilles Robin Crozes Hermitage, Cuvée Albéric Bouvet £12.95, Great Western Wines (01225 322800; great www.westernwine.co.uk)

Northern Rhône syrah at its best. Vividly ruby, powerfully spicy and aromatic with a supple-textured, blackberry richness and spicy sweet oak with peppery and cleansing acidity.