Wines of the week: Abbotts & Delaunay Cumulo Nimbus Minervois; Quinta dos Carvalhais Colheita; Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon

Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy

Sunday lunch

Abbotts & Delaunay Cumulo Nimbus Minervois 2011

Leave detoxing for warmer months and banish January chills by savouring this concentrated blast of southern French sunshine. A brilliant, elegantly structured blend of subtle spicing, some dried and red fruits and enough power to handle the biggest winter roasts and casseroles. £16.99, averys.com

Midweek meal

Quinta dos Carvalhais Colheita 2010

Sounds like a port and uses some port grapes, but this inky black, deeply flavoursome red is actually from the Dão region of central Portugal. Rich and smooth, with black fruits and oaky vanilla touches, this tastes and looks like a much more expensive wine than it is, so relish with chicken and chorizo stew. £8.99, Tesco

Bargain basement

Santa Rita Medalla Real Cabernet Sauvignon 2010

Characteristic oak-induced flavours of vanilla and menthol mark out this satisfying, full-bodied, easy-going bottle from a long-established Chilean producer. Will warm even the coldest evening, particularly if consumed with a comforting cheesy baked pasta. £7.99 (each for two bottles as part of a purchase of six mixed bottles, until 2 February; normally £11.99), majestic.co.uk