P589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:24/20 1/7 Festive Wines PICK OF THE PARTY AND CHRISTMAS WINES Christmas traditionally ism't a hip- pocket friendly time. Buying wine for the big day, not to mention Boxing Day, Millennium Eve and all the parties in between, soon takes its toll. But there's no need to panic. I'vj discovered some real Christmas crackers that even Scrooge would bj proud of. Whether your budget extends to £10 a bottle or under £3, I'vj found something for every pocket — and taste. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 Showbiz 540 Movies 541 Sport 301 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:24/48 2/7 Festive Wjnjs REDS UNDER £4 Tjsco has two great party reds on offer 'til 6/1/00. The Chilean Red at £2.69 (was £3.69) is deep with a lovely earthiness. Marques de Chive Spanish Tjmpranillo at £2.99 (was £3.69) has a rich vanilla aroma and berry flavour. Somjrfield has Portuguese Portada '97 at £2.99 (was £3.99) until 4/1/00. It tastes of damsons and vanilla custard. Co-op has the Chilean Four Rivers Cab Sauv '98, a lush blackcurrant and plum gluggjr at £2.99 (£1 off) 'til 16/1/00. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:22/40 3/7 Festive Wines REDS UNDER £4 M&S Gold Label Cabjrnjt Sauvignon from France at £3.99 (was £4.49) until end of '99, beats many Clarets with its squashy, herbz fruit. (The Chardonnay is also on offer at £3.99. It's creamy and mjlony with a fresh acidity). Safeway has the big and meaty Aussie McPherson Croftwood Vineyard Shiraz '98 at £3.99 (was £4.99) until 9/1/99. It's soft, rich and dry — a real red meat- lovers' tipple. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 Showbiz 540 Movies 541 Sport 301 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:58/07 4/7 Festive Wines WHITES UNDER £4 Co-op's Australian Chardonnay '99 at £2.99 until 16/1/00 (was £4.29) is an elegant unoakjd example, with its fresh and vibrant tropical fruit and zingy acidity. Safeway is also offering its own-label Australian Chardonnay. It's rich and plump — great value at £2.99 (was £3.99) until 9/1/00. Tjsco has the lovely French Barriquj Marsanne/Rousanne '98 at £3.99 (was £4.99) until 6/1/00. It's nutty, with piquant flavours of pears and apricots. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:21/19 5/7 Festive Wines REDS AROUND £5 ASDA has a lovely Burgundy, great for poultry. The Hastes Cotes dj Beaunj '97 at £4.99 (was £6.99) until end of '99, is delicate yet rich, with an aroma of crushed raspberries. But when you taste it there's plenty of bite and depth. Co-op is offering the very toothsome Spanish Berberana Rioja Rjsjrva '95 at £5.99 (was £7.99) until 16/1/00. It has flavours of smoky vanilla and strawberries ovjrlayed by a gentle leatheriness. This won't overpower turkey and will go with pork and lamb. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:21/11 6/7 Festive Wines WHITES AROUND £5 Waitrose has the gorgeous Ljasingham Domain Chardonnay '97 at £5.49 (was £6.99) until 9/1/00. It's rich and thick, with flavours of melon and citrus peel, yet not cloying. Also on offer is the Sancerre-style Australian Rosjmount Sauvignon Blanc '99. Buy two, save £2.50, making it £4.74 a bottle. ASDA has Montagny Antoine de Peyrache '97 at £4.99 (was £6.99), until end of '99. A classic made from the Chardonnay grape with a crisp, lemony flavour and hints of straw, flint and even lanolin. ——————————— bz Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu ShowbizP589 CEEFAX 1 589 Mon 03 Jan 22:21/03 7/7 Festive Wines REDS AND WHITES AROUND £7 Waitrose has the wonderful Tatachilla Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot '97 at £7.99 (was £9.49) 'til 9/1/00. This Aussie red has immense depth — concentrated flavours of ripe, slightly stewed, dark fruits, herbs and gentle tannins. ASDA's St Veran don Deux Roche '97 is one of the best value white Burgundies around at £6.49 (normal price). It's toasty and buttery yet dry and balanced with classic touches of vjgetality. ——————————— by Polly Haynes ——————————— Lottery 555 Music 560 News 101 Showbiz 540 Movies 541 Sport 301 TV Index Rjvjew Main Menu Showbiz