Under a tenner

Hecula 2003, Bodegas Castano, Yecla, Spain 9.99, O'Donovan's, Cork; The Goose Off-Licence, Drumcondra; Cellars, Naas Road Yecla lies an hour's drive from Alicante and La Manga, one of the original Spanish resorts. It is, however, a different world, an arid landscape with vines and olive groves.

Hecula is made from Monastrell, a local grape kidnapped by the French, who call it Mourvedre. The hot dry climate makes for big, powerful wines full of fruit and alcohol.

This is a huge, rich wine, packed with loganberries and some firm structured tannins. Perfect with a juicy steak or a hearty winter beef casserole.

Under 20

Chateau Virant Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rose Tradition, 2004, 12.99, Country Choice, Nenagh, Co Tipperary The enterprising Peter Ward of Country Choice (one of Ireland's finest delicatessens) imports this wine directly from Provence, along with an excellent red and a fruity olive oil from the same estate.

The rose is a delicious, mouth-watering fresh wine, with crisp strawberry fruits, and a dry mineral finish. A great way to remind yourself of the warm Provencal sun, this would go very nicely with pates, and lighter dishes. Try it with salad Nicoise.

Anything goes

Palari Rosso del Soprano, Sicily, Italy, 2001, 24.95, Baily Wines, Howth If this seems expensive for a Sicilian wine, I beg you to try it. Palari is one of the leading producers on the island, and this is a superb wine, big yet wonderfully elegant and complex, the sort of wine that evolves and improves with every sip. The dominant impression is of delicious, soft, subtle strawberries with hints of coffee, and a smooth finish.

Drink alongside red or white meat dishes.