Best reds
2000 Da Luca Primitivo Merlot (£4.99, Safeway, Waitrose)
The sort of value that Puglia delivers on a regular basis, this blend of 60% Primitivo and 40% Merlot is underpinned by vanilla and sweet spice. My favourite sub-£5 red.
2000 Mas Collet Montsant, Celler de Capçanes (£5.99, Waitrose)
You'd pay more for a wine from neighbouring Priorato, but you wouldn't necessarily end up with a more pleasurable wine in your glass than this smoky, Grenache-based wine from northern Spain.
2000 Graham Beck Pinotage (£6.99, Wine Rack, Bottoms Up)
Graham Beck consistently produces some of the best value red, white and sparkling wines in the world. Pinotage can be something of an acquired taste, but this minty, deeply coloured red is stylish and supple.
2000 Chianti Classico, Basilica Cafaggio (£8.99, Marks & Spencer)
The wines from this estate in Greve have shown enormous improvements in the last five years. A stylish, savoury, plum-skin, liquorice and black cherry-like red that will age for another five years but is delicious now.
1999 Vieux Château Gaubert, Graves (£10.97, branches of Asda)
A classic claret blend of 50% Cabernet, 45% Merlot and a little Cabernet Franc for perfume and finesse, this is a youthful Graves with fleshy tannins and notes of cassis and chocolate. A good one for the turkey.
2000 Saint Joseph, Pierre Gonon (£11.25, Vine Trail, 0117 9211770)
From a great producer in one of the northern Rhône's most overlooked appellations, this is a spicy, violet perfumed Syrah with just a hint of oak. As good as many an Hermitage or Cornas, but at half the price.
Best whites
Tesco Simply Gewürztraminer, Hilltop Neszmely (£2.99)
My pick as the best value white in the country, produced at the Neszmely winery in Hungary. This is a floral, but restrained white with elegant, peachy flavours and a creamy middle.
2001 Chablis, Cave de Chablis (£6.49, Majestic; buy 2 save £1)
A classic, unwooded, mineral and green olive style Chablis with citrus fruit flavours and acidity that's as taut as a sail in a gale. Great value in a classy package.
2002 Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc (£7.49, Sainsbury's)
South Africa has started to take on New Zealand and the Loire Valley in the Sauvignon Blanc stakes. This zesty white is one the Cape's bests, full of grapefruit, gooseberry and quince and buzzing with flavour and intent.
2000 Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina, Sannio (£8.99, Oddbins)
The south of Italy, especially the area around Naples, makes some of Italy's most distinctive white wines. This is a rich, honeyed, spicy number with notes of quince, peach and ginger spice.
2001 Peregrine Pinot Gris, Central Otago (£9.75, Berry Brothers & Rudd, 0870 9004300)
Pinot Gris or Pinot Grigio is a grape that often disappoints in the bottle, but this wine from the coolest climate in New Zealand's South Island is bright and harmonious.
Sweet and fortified
1992 Warre's Late Bottled Vintage Port (£14.99, Sainsbury's, Safeway, Bottoms Up, Wine Rack, Thresher)
Remarkably consistent. Served it blind, I would identify it as a single quinta Port or better, rather than a more humble LBV.
