Blaye, on the Right Bank of the Gironde, offers outstanding claret at affordable prices. This is thanks to a growing number of producers determined to match the standards of Saint-Emilion nearby. Les Grands Maréchaux has been on top form since new owners, Christopher Reboul Salze and Etienne Barre, bought it in 1997. They introduced the legendary Stéphane Derenoncourt as consultant (he has worked at many top Saint-Emilion estates, including La Mondotte, Canon La Gaffelière and Pavie Macquin). A fine Merlot-rich claret that always offers exceptional value and here with a decade of age. Stand the bottle upright to allow any sediment to drop to the bottom. Then pour carefully. Enjoy with simple game, roast chicken or mushroom goulash.

Grapes for this fine Gran Reserva were taken from 30 to 60 year old vines grown at 400 metres above sea level – key to the wine’s elegance, richness and complexity. Matured in French and American oak to lend subtle spice notes, this fine Gran Reserva makes a delicious partner to game or lamb. Best to decant early.

Andresen passionately believe that port is one of the world’s finest wines – and have won a host of awards from international competitions. Thanks to their dedication to quality at all levels their ready to drink ruby port is seductively luscious. Established in 1849, Andresen are one of the last remaining family owned and run port houses. They have built a stellar reputation based on using an ultra rigorous grape selection to make only the finest wines. Owner Carlos Flores de los Santos presides over a magnificent collection of aged ports, resting in barrel in his extensive cellars, and is ably assisted by chief winemaker Alvaro Van Zeller – the former Head of Tasting at the Port Wine Institute. Ruby is the youngest, fruitiest style of port, aged for no more than two years. This strikingly powerful cousin of the vintage style can be enjoyed without decades of ageing. Andresen Ruby makes a delightful after dinner tipple, delicious as a glass on its own or with mature Stilton.

"Richer, fuller and more complex than its stable mates. Plenty of technique on display - barrel ferment notes, introducing both yeast and spicy oak plus malo driven lactic notes, which all increase the volume of the wine. The impression is of a ‘polished sweetness'...90pts " (Halliday).

The late, great Peter Lehmann was a fifth generation Barossa winemaker and a legend in his own lifetime. The son of a Lutheran preacher, he became a champion of small independent grape growers in the region, buying their grapes through the tough days of the 1970s when the big wineries reneged on their contracts. This earned Peter the title ‘Baron of the Barossa’. Those growers never forgot his generosity and always stayed loyal. With a fabulous wine range including the world class Stonewell, no one did more to elevate the Barossa to cult status than Peter. His generous spirit lives on in this hearty, big spice Shiraz. Rich, chocolatey, with a peppery vanilla edge, it’s supreme with rare beef, roast lamb or veggie casserole with dumplings.

Saracosa is inspired by the ‘Super Tuscans’ – a style first developed in the 1970s. These wines kickstarted the region’s renaissance and became some of the most exclusive and expensive in the world. Saracosa is from the Barbanera family estate, where half the vineyards are in the Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, and the remainder just beyond. In the 5-Star 2017 vintage Saracosa’s old vines delivered exceptional concentration. Dense, dark cherry and chocolatey tones make this a serious choice for pasta with pork ragù or bistecca alla fiorentina (steak with cannellini beans in tomato sauce).