Whites

2006 The Doctors’ Riesling, Forrest Estate, Marlborough, New Zealand, Adnams (01502 727222), £8.99. John and Brigid Forrest are doctors-turned-wine producers, hence the name of this ripe, grapey, floral riesling whose 8.5 per cent alcohol makes it the perfect spring aperitif.

Cuvée Prestige, Vin de Pays du Comté Tolosan, Maurel Vedeau, France, Tesco, down £1 to £2.99 until March 25. If it is a cheap and cheerful Easter wine you are after, rush to Tesco and pick up lots of this easy-glugging white with its lively, lemony, juicy fruit and zesty finish.

2007 Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, Majestic Wine, £9.99 or two for £6.99 each. My favourite Kiwi sauvignon gets better with every vintage. It is a powerful, spiky, verdant, gooseberry and white currant-stashed offering from a brilliant winery.

Reds

2004 Antiyal, Maipo Valley, Alvaro Espinoza, Chile, Adnams, £19.99. Alvaro Espinoza is one of Chile’s best producers and the vibrant, spicy, creamy fruit of his gorgeous, top-drawer carmenère, cabernet sauvignon and syrah blend proves the point at a high but not extortionate price.

2000 Château de Sales, Pomerol, Bordeaux, France, Majestic Wine, £19.99. Pomerol’s prices are usually stratospheric, so it’s a relief to find a good-value claret from this tiny commune. It oozes with the bold, currant, prune and plum merlot flavours you’d expect from a grand year.

Cuvée Prestige, Vin de Pays de l’Hérault, Maurel Vedeau, France, Tesco, down £1 to £2.99 until March 25. You don’t get a vintage date with this soft, simple merlot, grenache and cinsault-based red, but you do get oodles of vibrant, ripe, plummy fruit, which will slip down a treat at spring parties.

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