Wine: Something For The Weekend?

5 Kingston Estate Verdelho Chardonnay; 2005 Darracott Sauvignon Blanc; 2003 Brolio Chianti Classico

Under a Fiver: 2005 Kingston Estate Verdelho Chardonnay, £3.99, Co-op

This screwcapped new Aussie vintage impresses by packing sumptuously ripe tropical citrus and pineappley flavour into an unoaked dry white, mostly verdelho with a shot of chardonnay for extra smoothness at such a modest price.

Under a Tenner: 2005 Darracott Sauvignon Blanc, £7.19, down from £8.99 until 29 Jan, Marks & Spencer

One of the stand-outs in the M&S January wine sale, from one of the Cape's best sauvignon blanc producers. A mouthwatering aromatic dry white with capsicum flavours and zesty, refreshing tang.

Splash Out: 2003 Brolio Chianti Classico, £10. 99, Sainsbury's

Vibrant, cherry aromas mingle with background oak spice in a well-balanced, full-flavoured, sour-cherry blend of chianti's sangiovese grape. Tannins and fresh acidity make for a textured and food-friendly Tuscan rosso from the excellent Castello di Briolo.