Under a fiver

2004 El Dorado Sauvignon Blanc Reserva

pounds 4.49, down from pounds 6.99, Sainsbury's Wine Festival (until 22 February)

From Jacques and Francois Lurton's Chilean venture, this is a fresh, grapefruit-zesty, aromatic, dry white with richness and crisp acidity. Good aperitif-style or with food.

Under a tenner

1999 Twin Wells Semillon

pounds 7.99, M&S

A nicely evolved dry semillon from Tyrrells in Australia's Hunter Valley, and a weight watcher's delight with its light 10.5 per cent alcohol. It combines the twin virtues of bottle age and astonishingly youthful, refreshing lemon- grass and citrus flavours.

Splash out

Jean Moutardier Brut Rose NV Champagne

Around pounds 17.95, Great Western Wine, Bath (01225 322800), Noel Young Wines, Cambridge (01223 844744), Addison Wines, London SW11 (020-7924 2416)

Bronze-pink fizz redolent of red berries with a toasted brioche-like aftertaste for Valentine's Day.