So many occasions, so many bottles of wine...

But what to buy – that’s the question.  There’s so much choice out there it can be bewildering and, if you’re anything like me, you’ll gravitate towards tried and tested favourites to minimise the risk of getting something that won’t live up to the occasion.

Spier Private Collection Petit Verdot 2005- Majestic £10.99
Grape variety: 100% Petit Verdot
 
Petit Verdot is traditionally found as part of a Bordeaux blend. This 100% Petit Verdot, from South African producer Spier, is dark and inky black in colour. With aromas of blueberries and blackcurrant fruit and a warm spicy note, the wine is rich and opulent on the palate with intense black fruit flavours, a hint of smoky pepper spice and a elegant backbone of tannin. Perfect match to steak.

McGuigan Signature Hunter Valley Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2006 - Majestic £8.99
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
 
Made from strictly selected fruit grown in McGuigan’s premium vineyards, this Chardonnay has a complex, rich, burgundian-style nose of stone fruit, citrus and apple. Full bodied on the palate, with layers of generous fruit, well-integrated toasty oak, and the rich, biscuity flavours coming from the wild yeasts used in the fermentation. An excellent quality wine well suited to accompanying rich seafood or poultry dishes.

Nepenthe Tryst Sauvignon Blanc 2006 - Tesco £8.99
Grape variety: 86% Sauvignon Blanc 14% Semillon
 
Nepenthe Tryst Sauvignon Blanc is a vibrant wine from the heart of the cool, pristine Adelaide Hills. A delightfully fragrant style with guava, citrus and snow pea notes complemented by the fine, crisp palate and fresh acidity the region is renowned for. A perfect wine as an aperitif or with salads.

Nepenthe Wine Thief Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2006 - Oddbins £6.99
Grape variety: 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon, 5% PInot Gris
 
This classic blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc from South Australia's cool, pristine Adelaide Hills is fresh and vibrant, with tropical fruit, a full flavoured palate and a crisp, zippy finish. Perfect with some fresh seafood or a Caesar Salad.

Nepenthe Altitude Riesling 2006 - Waitrose £9.99
Grape variety: 100% Riesling
 
The cool climate Adelaide Hills region and the winemaking skill of Peter Leske (who previously worked with Grosset at Polish Hill) result in a stunning aromatic Riesling. Fresh and fruity with balanced crisp acidity, complex minerality and amazing length. It is great with seafood or fish.

Nepenthe Altitude Sauvignon Blanc 2006 - Waitrose £7.99
Grape variety: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
 
Produced in tiny volumes, this is a top quality wine from a new cool Adelaide Hills estate , Nepenthe. Made by a perfectionist winemaker (formerly with Grosset), this is an up-and-coming 'Cloudy Bay' lookalike, with intensely concentrated gooseberry flavours, which is also eminently drinkable, and with unusual ageing potential.

Tempus Two Copper Pinot Gris 2006 - Threshers/Bottoms Up £9.99
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Gris
 
Our Pinot Gris is sourced from the cool climate of King Valley in Victoria. As Pinot Gris is a pink grape with quite tough skins, the fruit is whole bunch pressed to avoid colour or tannin pick up in the juice. Bottled early to capture the intense aromatics and pure fruit characters typical of the variety, the wine is medium bodied wine, rich in fruit flavours and backed by a crisp acid structure giving refinement and length to the well balanced palate.

McGuigan Signature Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2005 - Majestic £6.99
Grape variety: 100% Shiraz
 
Made from Shiraz grapes grown in the Langhorne Creek and Barossa Valley, this is a smooth, full-bodied red wine with smoky blackberry flavours and a hint of spice given by ageing in American oak barrels. Perfect served with red meat dishes.

Tempus Two Copper Moscato 2007 - Tesco £7.99
Grape variety: 100% Moscato
 
In true Moscato style, this wine is lively and vibrant set apart through its intensity of fruit flavours. It is perfect served well chilled with its lifted aromas of passion fruit, kiwi fruit and a hint of musk. The crisp frizzante finish combined with the soft perfumed sweetness deliver an excellent wine perfect for enjoying at brunch, lunch and dinner.

Tempus Two Botrytis Semillon 2005 - Threshers £9.99
Grape variety: 100% Semillon
 
This wine is powerfully rich and opulent displaying the quintessence of Botrytis Semillon. The flavours of dried apricots, citrus fruit marmalade are underlined by a subtle nuance of wild honey. The wine displays restrained acidity ending with a refreshing citrus lift, balanced by the concentration of flavours that give overall elegance and finesse.

Marques de Monistrol Clos Monistrol Cava Brut 2003 - Sainsbury's £8.99
Grape variety: Chardonnay, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada
 
For over a century Marques de Monistrol has been making quality cavas in the traditional way. Elegant gold in colour with fine, persistant mousse, this Cava is made from a selection of the best Chardonnay, Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada grapes, and subsequently aged for 36 months in underground cellars to add complexity.

arques de Monistrol Premium Reserve Cava Rose Brut - Sainsbury's £9.99
Grape variety: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Monastrell
 
This splendid vintage rose cava, made from Pinot Noir grapes, is the only Reserve Rose Cava produced in Spain. Delicate pale pink in colour with fine, persistant mousse. On the nose aromas of deliciously ripe red fruit. On the palate it is fresh, well balanced, full-bodied and creamy

Marques de Monistrol Vintage Cava Brut 2003 - Tesco £7.99
Grape variety: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada
 
This Cava has been produced following the traditional method which has been used by Marques de Monistrol since 1882. The use of indigenous grape varieties and the extended ageing of 30 months gives this vintage Cava elegance, style and finesse

Marques de Monistrol Vintage Cava Rose Brut 2003 - Tesco £7.99
Grape variety: Monastrell, Pinot Noir
 
This cava has been produced following the traditional method which has been used by Marques de Monistrol since 1882.  The use of indigenous grape varieties and the extended ageing of 24 months gives this vintage cava elegance, style and finesse.

Berberana Etiqueta Negra Reserva 2003 - Tesco £8.99
Grape variety: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha
 
Berberana is one of the oldest and finest names in Rioja. Deep berry red in colour, this Reserva 2003 Rioja is ripe and packed full of rich summer pudding fruit flavours. Aged in American oak, the wine is beautifully balanced, with fruit, elegant tannins and a long fresh finish.

Berberana Rioja Gran Reserva 2000 - Majestic £10.99
Grape variety: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha
 
Deep ruby red with tawny hues in colour, this Gran Reserva has a subtle aroma derived from ageing in both oak barrels and bottle. Harmonoius and smooth yet full bodied, this wine has classic characteristics of a Gran Reserva. Perfect with roast meats, pastas, tomato dishes, barbecues and game

Marques de la Concordia Rioja Crianza 2004 - Majestic £7.99
Grape variety: 100% Tempranillo
 
Marques de la Concordia is one of the most exciting new project developments in Rioja and brings together the best of both the New and Old World. With deep, dark ruby hues, this Crianza shows a classy nose of ripe berry fruit balanced by the use of new oak. The palate is well-knitted together showing great concentration and length. The ultimate wine match for lamb and perfect with any meat or poultry dish.

Marques de la Concordia Rioja Reserva 2003 - Majestic £9.99
Grape variety: 100% Tempranillo
 
Deep ruby red with a great depth of colour, the Reserva has a concentrated bouquet of ripe fruit and cedar notes showing extensive barrel ageing. The palate is concentrated, intense, velvety rich and well balanced by firm acidity. The finish is long and elegant. Served with full flavoured dishes, this Reserva wine will stand out and enhance any meal.
 
Durius Natural Reserve Tempranillo 2005 - Tesco £6.99
Grape variety: 100% Tempranillo
 
Garnet red with a brighter ruby rim, the wine has an intense fruity flavour with a hint of soft spice on the nose. An added dimension is the subtle use of oak which combines well with soft ripe tannins. Delicious on its own and ideal with meats, pasta and tapas.