Food and Drink: Wine Box

SEEN in the catalogue of auctioneers James Owen & Co this week: 'Lot 212: One case of Dom Perignon Champagne 1982. Lot 213: A black vinyl steel-framed side chair.' Some of the knockdown prices at this sale of Elite Wines' bankrupt stock were enough to raise eyebrows at Christie's and Sotheby's. Wine merchants, too, are getting in on the recession act. Laytons (20 Midland Road, London NW1; 071-388 5081) has a pounds 3m treasure chest of fine wines following the closure of Atkinson Baldwin. Cash discounts are tempting (but add the VAT) for a host of clarets: Chateau Cos d'Estournel 1988 at pounds 215 a case, Montrose 1986 at pounds 185, Calon-Segur 1985 at pounds 125.

Following the sale of Chateau Talbot by Cordier, Turville Valley Wines (The Firs, Potter Row, Great Missenden, Buckinghamshire; 02406 8818) is offering six of the best vintages of this classified St Julien property: pounds 110 for the 1985 and pounds 105 for the 1986. Prices are in-bond, so add pounds 12 for duty plus VAT on the total.

Hungerford Wines (Unit 3, Station Yard, Hungerford, Berkshire; 0488 683238) has a nine-day bin-end sale starting today; and Corney & Barrow (12 Helmet Row, London EC1; 071-251 4051) promises 'an abundance of bargains'.