Wines of the week- The Independent

Wines of the week: The Independent
Terry Kirby
Catena Malbec 2008

A big, juicy, plummy, black-fruit-flavoured example of Argentina's finest grape, produced by one of its best exponents from high-altitude vineyards in the Mendoza region. A lovely, smooth mouthful, with touches of spice and leather and a lengthy finish that makes it ideal with roast or confit duck or a prime, rare, fillet steak. £11.99, Waitrose, ocado.com, majestic.co.uk (where it is also available for £9.99 per bottle when buying two bottles as part of a case of six bottles)

Midweek meal
Reserve de La Saurine Rose 2010

Not all southern French rosé has to come from Provence and taste of strawberries. This has a sharper, spicier taste, although still sufficiently fruity. Made in the neighbouring Gard region from Grenache, Cinsault, Carignan and Syrah grapes, this needs to be drunk ice-cold on a summer's evening, perhaps with a robust fish soup, accompanied by rouille croutons. £6.49 Marks & Spencer

Bargain basement
Southbank Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2010

A good deal on a top-quality Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc from the esteemed Marlborough region. Characteristic flavours of nettles, gooseberries and green apples mingle with passion fruit and other tropical fruits to create a crisply refreshing wine just right for the last asparagus of the season or almost any shellfish. £5.99, majestic.co.uk (when buying two bottles as part of a mixed case of six bottles; – A personal favourite of the Wine Ranger

What to take to a BYO?

Wine: What to take to a BYO? | Life and style | The Guardian

Fiona Beckett

Mas Belles Eaux Vin de Pays de Caux Rosé 2010 (£7.95,fromvineyardsdirect.com; 12.5% abv), an elegant blend of syrah and mourvèdre from an estate just north of Pézenas . At that price it is at least £2 less than a comparable Provençal rosé would be.

Neutral, minerally whites such as the flexible Austrian grüner veltliner really useful. Waitrose has a good offer on the Domäne Wachau Terraces Grüner Veltliner 2010(12% abv), which from next Wednesday will be reduced from £8.49 to £6.36 (though you may well find the 2009, which is also fine).

Australian chardonnay with some bottle age, such as the sumptuously creamy Leeuwin Estate Prelude Chardonnay 2008, from Margaret River (14.5% abv), currently £23 from the Wine Society, it's perfect for scallops, salmon, roast chicken or veal, so covers a fair number of menu options.

Reds that you can chill and drink with fish are also handy, for instance a beaujolais, Loire red or a pinot noir. The luscious Errazuriz Wild Ferment Pinot Noir 2009 from Chile (£9.59 if you buy two or more at Majestic; 14.5% abv) should keep everyone happy. It's really impressive for a big brand.