SUSY ATKINS claims that it is now 'de rigeur to recommend wine instead of lager with a curry'. She says what is needed are soft, rounded reds such as Shiraz-Cabernets or Zinfandel, or whites with bags of ripe fruit such as Chardonnays and Chardonnay-Semillons. Her 'Try These...' are: 2005 Les Jamelles Viognier, Vin de Pays d'Oc (4.99, Co-op); 2004 McWilliams Hanwood Chardonnay (5.99, Morrisons); and 2003 Leasingham Magnus Shiraz-Cabernet, Clare Valley (7.99 Somerfield).
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Fruity fizz or wines with a little sweetness are the perfect match for Asian cuisine, says JAMIE GOODE. He suggests NV Deutz Marlborough Cuve (10.99; Oddbins) and 2005 Cono Sur Limited Release Gewrztraminer, Bo Bo, Chile (5.49; Morrisons, Majestic).
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Apparently cider is taking the place of alco-pops for drinkers in their twenties. Magners Irish cider is taking the lead, but JANE MacQUITTY's favourite is Aspall Dry Cyder from Suffolk (1.69-1.79 for 500ml; Waitrose, Tesco, Asda).
Her varied wine selection includes four wines from South Eastern Australia - a red and a white from the Settlement 29 range (both down 2 to 3.99; Somerfield) and a red and a white from Penfolds Koonunga Hill range (both down 1.70 to 4.99; Waitrose).
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ANTHONY ROSE is not so enamoured of Ruinart's Valentine's offering: More like a post-Christmas opportunity to sell, if you ask me.' Instead of pink bubbly he opts for a selection of wines to match The Independent's Valentine recipes. He says Grard Thomas' 2005 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Murgers des Dents de Chien (14.99; Waitrose) and 2005 Taste the Difference Grner Veltliner (6.99; Sainsbury's) are the perfect choice for Lobster Thermidor.
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This week it's MATTHEW JUKES' turn to recommend pink bubbly for 14 February. He tells us to trade up if in doubt and recommends NV Billecart Salmon Brut Ros (34.95-41.50; Oddbins, Lay & Wheeler, BBR); NV Krug Ros (79.07 for 37.5cl; Bibendum); and NV Ruinart Ros in a gift pack carrying case containing a half-bottle and two glasses (39.95-45; Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, Jeroboams). Jukes points out that he usually thinks gift boxes are naff' so doesn't review them, but this one is so cute you are guaranteed to score an enormous number of points'.
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The Martin Codax from Ras Baxas also comes up among SUSY ATKINS' recommendations for her readers' after Christmas 'retox'. She suggests refreshing white wines to awake a 'sluggish, hibernating palate'. She points to the Loire, Mosel and the Rueda and Ras Baxas regions of Spain, along with Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling and light Italians - Soave, Frascati, Orvieto and Verdicchio. Her 'Try These...' include the Codax Albario as well as 2005 Italian Icons Orvieto Classico (5.99, Thresher) and 2005 Kiwi Cuve Sauvignon Blanc, Vin de Pays du Jardin de la France (4.99, Sainsbury's).
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JOANNA SIMON can't get enough of quirky' wines - made in offbeat ways and places by individuals who are invariably passionate about what they're doing'. She recommends Alberto Longo's 2004 Cacc'e Mmitte di Lucera from northern Puglia (9.95; Lea and Sandeman) and his 2004 Le Cruste made from the local Nero di Troia grape (14.75; Lea & Sandeman).
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VICTORIA MOORE'S dinner schedule takes her to Jerez, Spain, this week.
Although cream and pale cream account for 68% of UK Sherry sales, she suggests trying Fino and Manzanilla. Her recommendations include Hidalgo La Gitana Manzanilla (6.49 for 75cl; Majestic, Sainsbury's); and Fernando de Castilla Classic Fino (8.99 for 75cl; Hedley Wright, Valvona & Crolla).
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A tour and tasting at Mot & Chandon's cellars in Epernay is enough to convince JONATHAN RAY that its wines deserve more respect than he has previously given them.
He confesses that he has found its wines unexciting in the past, but a tasting of the past 10 vintages convinces him otherwise. He has a sneak preview of the 2000 vintage, which will be launched in March, but can reveal no more than that it compares well with its forebears.
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TIM ATKIN MW is a Nebbiolo convert. He used to think that Nebbiolo was overrated: a dry, tannic, old-boot-ish grape whose high prices bore no relation to the stuff in the bottle'. He now compares the wines of Piedmont to heaven on earth.
Modern producers such as Angelo Gaja and Ello Altare, and traditionalists including Bruno Giacosa, have changed his mind, but he admits that Nebbiolo can still be disappointing and inconsistent.
He recommends Sainsbury's 2002 Taste the Difference Barolo, Ascheri (12.99), up to the more costly 2001 Asili di Barbaresco from Bruno Giacosa (59.33; John Armit).
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JANE MacQUITTY presents the second week of her Top 100 Winter Wines: 25 bottles under 8. Star White is 2005 Chteau G Guiraud Bordeaux Blanc Sec, France (7.99; Majestic) and Star Red is 2005 Crozes Hermitage Les Gravires, Jean-Luc Colombo, France (11.99, down to 7.99 from 4 December; Waitrose).
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This week JANCIS ROBINSON MW gets involved in politics by hosting two wine tastings at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. The reader gets a blow-by-blow account of the tastings. The first features a selection of 30- to 50-year-old clarets, which, in virtually all cases, had mellowed to the most charming, delicate, subtle wines'. The Ukranian Prime Minister was particularly taken with the 1962 Lafite.
The second tasting, of an eclectic collection of wine styles, included the best Indian red wine Robinson has tasted - the 2003 Grover La Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon - vinified with the consultancy skills of Michel Rolland.
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After the success of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage last year, it's Burgundy's time to stand in the spotlight, says JONATHAN RAY. The general consensus from producers and buyers is that the 2005 vintage is more than a match for its counterparts in Bordeaux. And he says they have a distinct advantage: so ripe, fruity and approachable are they, you can open them and enjoy them from the very day you take delivery'.
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Burgundy is also the topic on JANE MacQUITTY'S lips. She says there are oodles of great 2005 reds on offer, plus a much more limited collection of dreamy whites'. She reviews the vintage in full and declares how much of a pleasure it was to attend Burgundy week.
However, her half-dozen recommendations for readers are all New World and priced at 7.99 or less. They include: 2004 Carmen Wine Maker's Reserve Chardonnay, Casablanca, Chile (down 2 to 7.99; Waitrose); 2005 Finest Hawkes Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, New Zealand (7.99; Tesco); and 2006 Porta Reserva Pinot Noir, Bo-Bo Valley, Chile (5.59; Waitrose).
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After singing the praises of the 2005 Burgundy's last week, ANTHONY ROSE gives readers a shopping list for the vintage, but warns of a lack of availability. He has plenty of recommendations and welcomes the move to six- packs by merchant Howard Ripley.
His wines of the week include the 2005 La Riada Old Vines Garnacha Campo de Borja (5.99; Thresher) and the 2001 Mount Langhi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz (9.99; Majestic).
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When it is good, white Burgundy is unrivalled and the most sensational treat,' says JANCIS ROBINSON MW. The 1999s, 2000s and 2002s are drinking particularly well now, although few of them are still commercially available. Even the 2003s are becoming difficult to find', apart from the excellent Domaine Cordier'. 2003 Domaine Cordier, Les Vignes Blanches Pouilly-Fuiss (19.95, Lea & Sandeman) is positively exotic, with its aromas of bittersweet orange peel'. Most buyers will be nudged towards 2004, which is looking an increasingly attractive vintage for white Burgundy.'
The 2004 Lequin-Colin, Les Charrires Chassagne-Montrachet (17.95, Stone, Vine & Sun) shows it's quite possible to find delicious Ctes d'Or whites under 20 a bottle'.
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MATTHEW JUKES looks back at the New Zealand tasting at Lord's cricket ground in London, which he claims was the best ever.
His Kiwi selection includes: 2006 Spy Valley Gewurztraminer from Marlborough (9.99; Highbury Vintners, Grapelands) and 2004 Palliser Pinot Noir from Martinborough (12.99; Justerini & Brooks, Philglas & Swigott). Wine of the week is the 2006 Felton Road Vin Gris Ros from Central Otago (14.95; Lea & Sandeman).
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In the first of a two-part pre-Valentine's special, SUSY ATKINS recommends three sparkling ross in honour of the saint of lurve'. She advises against all pink Cavas and instead opts for 2000 Veuve Cliquot Ros (41.99-48, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Majestic, Selfridges), Mumm Cuve Napa Ros NV (11.99; Majestic) and 2002 Green Point Brut Ros (13.99; Oddbins).
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With 10 days to go to the commercialised event they call Valentine's Day, JAMIE GOODE gives his recommendations for drinking on 14 February. He says that ros has shed its naff image of late' and picks out four sparkling ross and a still pink, including Taittinger's Prestige Ros NV (32.99; Tesco, Oddbins) and Lindauer Special Select Brut NV, New Zealand (9.99; Oddbins, Waitrose).
He also selects accessories to accompany the wines, including a pair of glasses adorned with a tasteful gold heart'. The accompanying photo of the glasses is enough to put off anyone with an ounce of taste.
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JOANNA SIMON echoes Tim Atkin's views on the better retailers involved in Wine Relief and encourages readers to trade up, as the more expensive the wine, the bigger the 10% donation will be.
The pair both recommend the 2005 Gobelsburger Grner Veltliner, Austria (6.49; Waitrose) and the 2004 Friuli Merlot Bidoli (7.49; M&S).
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