Last updated at 16:13, Wednesday, 09 June 2010

You can tell it’s summer – the northerlies are blowing again and there’s a nip of frost in the mornings...

It’s about this time of year when wine drinkers switch stews for salads and reds for rosés.

But I’ve not stowed away my stewpot yet and I’m grateful for the Co-op putting the beefy Pacha Mama organic Malbec on offer.

This is a big, brooding inky purple-looking wine, matched by deep and lush flavours.

The flavours are chocolate-dipped prunes and plums and oak ageing provides a touch of butterscotch.

Available at £4.99 until June 15.

Booths have halved the price of the Post Stones chardonnay and shiraz.

Both are perky, fruity, bottles of fun. The chardy is a weighty, melony mouthful, with 14 per cent of alcohol, while the shiraz is a warming l blackcurrant thing.

I’d struggle to pay £8.99 for each of these, but they’re value at £4.49 until June 20.

Sainsbury’s have knocked £2 off the excellent Leasingham Magnus Riesling.

This is a racy Aussie stunner, with a peachy-limey taste a hint of elderflower and a touch of honey.

Great, zingy stuff for £6.20 and just what summer is for.

Booths have another excellent warmer on offer with their Berberana Rioja Gran Reserva.

Full, meaty flavours of roast plum and blackcurrants, but with added vanilla and touchfrom the oak as smooth as George Clooney.

Reduced from £11.99 to £7.99 until June 20, you could even buy a few now and try and save some for the autumn...

First published at 09:06, Saturday, 29 May 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk