Wine Box: High street half-dozen

1992 Chateau Fondarzac, Entre Deux Mers ( pounds 3.99, Asda). A refreshing, textbook bordeaux blanc with gooseberry fruit undertones of sauvignon blanc.

1992 Domaine du Biau, Vin de Pays des Cotes de Gascogne, Hugh Ryman ( pounds 3.99, Victoria Wine). Vin de pays des Cotes de Gascogne showed that there was life after muscadet, but may have had its heyday now muscadet prices are going down again. Even so, this is especially good with aroma, life and zip.

1992 Chateau de la Jaubertie, Bergerac Blanc ( pounds 4.99, Thresher, Wine Rack, Bottoms Up; also at Victoria Wine). If you liked the unusual rose, try this aromatic, catty semillon/sauvignon blend with its fresh nettley, gooseberry character.

1992 Minervois ( pounds 2.99, Waitrose). What, under pounds 3 at Waitrose? It can happen, and this spicy, southern French red, made in the modern, fruity style, is a good-value example.

1991 Tesco McLaren Vale Chardonnay Ryecroft ( pounds 5.99, Tesco selected stores). And it is also possible to find wine costing more than pounds 5 at Tesco. The price is well worth paying for this super-rich, intensely flavoured Australian chardonnay whose oaky character is well balanced by fresh, citrus acidity.

1992 Hindmarsh Hills, Barossa Valley Chenin Blanc ( pounds 3.19, Oddbins). This is the soft, tropically fruity Australian white that Independent readers have been drinking at the Royal Horticultural Society events this summer. No complaints so far.