Susie’s Christmas Bellini

So here it is: Susie's Christmas Bellini. As featured in this month's Waitrose Food magazine. You didn't ask for it. You may not even know you want it (yet). But it's delicious and thoroughly seasonal. It's a twist on the classic Bellini, which is Prosecco and peach....

Rioja Reserva 2010 Cepa Alegro

Taste the Difference Rioja Reserva 2010 Cepa Alegro, Spain, 13.5% (£7, Sainsbury's)  We're big fans of Ben Tish in this household and his Saturday Kitchen dish this weekend made his stock rise even further. I mean, who couldn't love roasted partridge with caramelised chicory, orange, honey and...

Triade Bianco di Campania 2015

Triade Bianco di Campania 2015, Italy, 13.5% (£6.59, Waitrose or via Wine Searcher)  There are few better endorsements of your work than when people enjoy the wine you're recommending. This was certainly the case on this weekend's Saturday Kitchen when former Madness frontman Suggs was clearly a big fan...

Want good value Pinot Noir? Try Chile.

Most wine lovers have a soft spot for Pinot Noir. It's a masochistic tendency. Not only does good Pinot Noir tend to be expensive, it can also be very hit and miss. For a slightly elusive wine that inhabits a tantalising middle ground between white and red,...

Jordi Miro Garnacha Blanca 2015

Jordi Miro Garnacha Blanca 2015, Spain, 13.5% (£9, Marks & Spencer or via Wine Searcher) White wine for game? And from a little known Spanish region (Terra Alta) to boot?! This one raised a few culinary eyebrows when I recommended it on Saturday Kitchen. But, as ever with game, it's...

A fine Barbera for grouse

Taste the Difference Barbera d'Asti 2014, Italy, 13.5% (£7, Sainsbury's) This own-label Barbera from Sainsbury's is really good value - and very autumnal in feel, with a heart-warming touch of spice to an otherwise silky dark-fruited style. It made a fantastic Saturday Kitchen match for a very autumnal dish...

Finest Cotes de Gascogne 2015

Finest Côtes de Gascogne Colombard Gros Manseng 2015, 11.5% (£6, Tesco) Bit of a bargain, this Côtes de Gascogne. And a really versatile food wine, too. We all know Côtes de Gascogne as a source of affordable, fresh - but perhaps slightly simple whites. This one isn't a...

Valdesil Montenovo Godello 2015

Valdesil Montenovo Godello Valdeorras 2015, 13% (£9.89 when you buy 6, Majestic, or via Wine Searcher) We find we're turning more and more to the Godello grape variety as a reliably food-friendly, frequently good value wine. It has that unique blend of freshness but textural elegance that...

Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso 2013

Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso 2013, 13.5% (£10.99 when you buy 6, Majestic or via Wine Searcher) So what to choose with a classic bolognese ragu with focaccia by the delightful Italian maestro Gennaro Contaldo? There are plenty of options, from Bardolino (in a lighter style) to Chianti (in a...