Bottle Of The Week

Still a little early in the year for a champagne Bottle of the Week

Still a little early in the year for a champagne Bottle of the Week. Instead, I've been on the lookout for the kind of red wine that seems just right for summer entertaining. Not expensive, not heavy, not boring . . . Not easy! A whole bottle-bank of Chileans has been trawled through and found wanting. Then along comes Pere Ventura Tempranillo, Penedes, 1994 (Costcutters at Collins Avenue, Orwell Shopping Centre, Windy Arbour and Ballyboden in Dublin and many Mace and Swift outlets countrywide, usually £5.99). Enticing, typically Spanish aromas of strawberry jam, warm spices, leather; lively, interesting flavours and tangy acidity springing from a svelte body. And yes, there's a smokey edge to suit the barbecue. It's made for food.