Wines of the Week: The Vidal Legacy Syrah 2009; Château Clément Termes Gaillac Blanc Perlé 2011; Old Vines Garnacha 2011

Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy

(Pixeleyes)

Sunday lunch

The Vidal Legacy Syrah 2009

A really classy, well-balanced Syrah from the top-rated Gimblett Gravels area of Hawkes Bay in New Zealand, this is packed full of aromas of blackberries, plums, violets and pepper on the nose and then repeated on the palate, with an amazing freshness and vibrancy that makes it very food-friendly. Plenty of texture and some tannins give body and ageing potential if you can resist opening now. Drink with roast pork or lighter game dishes such as quail.

£13.99, thewinereserve.co.uk; £16.19, thedrinkshop.com

Midweek meal

Château Clément Termes Gaillac Blanc Perlé 2011

Lowish in alcohol at 12 per cent ABV and with a very slight sparkling quality, this is a speciality from the south-west of France for when something relatively light and undemanding is required. Pure and clear as spring water, it has deceptively subtle flavours of lime, lemon and sherbet, and as a whole is refreshing and enlivening. Great as an aperitif with fishy canapés, but also perfect for simple fish dishes or salads. £8.99, Marks & Spencer

Bargain basement

Old Vines Garnacha 2011

Made from Garnacha (or Grenache) vines up to 50 years old grown in the Campo de Borja in Zaragoza province of northern Spain, this is a really concentrated, rich, smooth red, with loads of character and perfect for the first casseroles of the autumn, particularly if mushrooms are involved. Should get better in the bottle if you buy some to put aside for Christmas at this encouraging discount. But just two days remaining… £5 (normally £8.99; until Tuesday), Tesco