week beginning 03/11/2008

Why not print this page off as your shopping list?

the Times - Jane MacQuitty

2007 Gran Lopez Airén, La Mancha, Spain, Waitrose, £3.99

well-made, lively, spicy, exotic, citrus fruit-spiked wine

2007 Réserve de la Perrière, Corbières, France, Waitrose, £3.99

splendid, fat, ripe, peppery, juicy southern French red

2007 Domaine Py Merlot, Vin de Pays d’Oc, France, Majestic, 2 @ £5.99

bold, ripe, curranty, raisiny fruit with that telltale sweet, slightly burnt finish

2006 Rioja Single Vineyard, Ramón Bilbao, Spain, Majestic 2 @ £5.99

superb, ripe, spicy, plummy tempranillo/garnacha blend

2006 St Chinian Cigales, Domaine La Linquière, Berry Bros, £12.25

gorgeous, sweet, rich, spicy, peppery fruit. Bravo.

2005 Tokaji Noble Late Harvest, Oremus, Hungary, Berry Bros, £14.95

luscious, apple, apricot and pineapple-laden pudding wine

2005 Rustenberg John X Merriman, £9.99-£11.99 Majestic, Stone Vine, Harrgte

Cabernet-merlot blend with succulent fruit and a fresh coffee note

2005 Ken Forrester Three Halves, £10.99 Waitrose

Rich, spicy, Rhône-like blend of shiraz, grenache and mourvèdre

2004 The Foundry Syrah, £11.99-£20 VIneking, Harrgte, Planet OTG

Top-notch, powerful but polished, peppery syrah

2007 Côtes du Rhône Villages Saint Maurice. £5.99, M&S

typically vivid, modern style; succulent berry fruit flavours

2006 Douro Reserva, Quinta de la Rosa. £9.99, Waitrose

pristine, rich-mulberry succulence defined by subtle rounding oak

2006 Ch St Ferréol, Viognier. £11.95 / £10.75 case, Berry Bros & Rudd

rich in dried apricot fruitiness and with such finely balanced acidity

Sandeman Royal Esmeralda 20-Year-Old Amontillado (£11.75 stockists 01865 263 300)

bone dry, thrillingly austere

Harveys Palo Cortado (£18.95, www.johnharveyandsons.com)

nutty, multi-faceted

Taste the Difference 12-Year-Old Oloroso, E Lustau (£6.99 Sainsbury's)

savoury, off-dry

Hidalgo Manzanilla Pasada Pastrana (2 @ £8.49 Majestic)

salty, bitter-edged; what they serve as an apéritif at El Bulli

2005 La Cuvée Mythique, France (£4.49 runtil Nov 16; Co-operative)

robust and concentrated oak-aged blend

2007 Shepherds Ridge Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, NZ (£6.99 Marks & Spencer)

crisp, zesty and citrussy, with plenty of gooseberries and herbs on nose and palate

2005 Waitrose Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore, Italy, (£9.99; Waitrose)

deliciously complex and moreish red; lovely sweet, mouth-filling ripe fruit

Maycas del Limari Syrah Reserva 2007, £8.99, Tesco, Oddbins

Inky, dense; Reminiscent of bitter chocolate