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Wines of the Week: Azamor, Alentejo, 2007; Château de Fayolle Red 2010; Les Pierres Bordes Marsanne-Viognier, Pays d'Oc, 2011/12
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy
Sunday lunch
Azamor, Alentejo, 2007
The first of three wines (and suggested food pairings) offering great value for money is a complex blend of traditional Portuguese port varieties such as Touriga Nacional combined with Bordeaux staples such as Merlot and Petit Verdot. Packing real punch, this is powerful, aromatic, with big, ripe, fruit flavours, a kick of spice from some oak and a long finish. Beware of the 14.5 per cent ABV and savour with slow-cooked casserole of pig's cheeks and chorizo. £9.20, slurp.co.uk; £9.99 (minimum order six bottles), aitkenwines.com
Midweek meal
Château de Fayolle Red 2010
An award-winning alternative to its bigger and brasher neighbour in Bordeaux, this is Bergerac rouge at its best and represents a substantial bargain compared with most claret prices. Fruity Merlot lushness again here, with some steel from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, all from low-yield vines, aged in oak. Savoury and lip-smacking; a dish of slow-braised duck legs with thyme, bay and garlic would be a great match. £7.95 (minimum six bottles), fromvineyardsdirect.co.uk
Bargain basement
Les Pierres Bordes Marsanne-Viognier, Pays d'Oc, 2011/12
Most Wine Society bottles below £7 represent good value for money and they have kept many prices below inflation for some time now. Make a retro moules marinière (plus frites) to accompany this lovely, refreshing combination of creamy, peachy Marsanne and aromatic, spicy Viognier from near Saint-Chinian in the middle of the Languedoc. £5.50, thewinesociety.com
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