Bottles Of The Week

Half the fun of laying in a summer supply is to pick an eclectic mix - plenty of different styles of wine, including some you…

Half the fun of laying in a summer supply is to pick an eclectic mix - plenty of different styles of wine, including some you may not have tried before. But at the core you'll need a classic pair - a multi-purpose white and red that will do you proud in most cork-pulling situations. Step into the embrace of St Bernard. Both Macon Blanc Villages, Pierre Ponnelle, 1997 (Dunnes Stores, £5.49) and Chateau de Gourgazaud, Minervois, 1997 (Dunnes Stores, also many other outlets, usually £5.99) are really attractive, subtle wines - the white crisp and fresh without being tart, the red full of meaty, interesting flavours that evolve by degrees. Look at those prices!