Chateau Pique-Segue 2003, Montravel, 9.49 An old favourite of mine for many years now, a great value wine from the southwest of France. As with the wine below, a blend of Sauvignon, Semillon and Muscadelle, this has mineralladen pineapples and apples in a dry, quite austere style.

Some of you might find it a little severe to drink on its own, but it would certainly provide a great foil for white meats, fish, and salads.

Available from: Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; The Vintry, Rathgar; Martha's Vineyard, Rathfarnham; McHughs of Malahide and Kilbarrack; Cork's, Terenure

Under 20

Marques de Alella Clasico 2004, Alella, Spain 12 Alella is a tiny area tucked in amongst the hills to the north of Barcelona. The grape is the local Pansa Blanca, the flavour quite different. The wine is light, a mere 11.5% alcohol, a little off-dry, but none the worse for that, with delicious, distinctive pineapple fruits.

Perfect sipping wine and a great aperitif.

Available from: Mac's, Limerick; Claudio's, Drury Street, Dublin 2; Castle Off-licence, Tralee; Sweeney's, Glasnevin; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Red Island Wine Company, Skerries; The Wicklow Wine Company

Anything goes

Clos Floridene Bordeaux Blanc 2002, 24.50 This is a rare style of white wine, one that changes out of all recognition with a few years age. In its youth, it is dry and oaky but nothing out of the ordinary. Give it a few years, and it develops the most wonderful complex, rich flavours of lime, grilled nuts and all sorts of other things. The 2002 is drinking perfectly now, although you need not be in any great rush to drink it up. A quite brilliant food wine (although I would very happily drink it solo) to partner all manner of fish, pork and chicken dishes.

Available from: The Baily Off-licence Howth; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; The Wicklow Wine Company