The Guardian

Victoria Moore says canny knowledge of the big wine brands has saved her bacon on more than one occasion. "A bit of brand savvy can make the difference between paying through the nose for wine you realise too late you'd prefer not to drink, and a glass of something quite good actually." Villa Maria is one such label that has often acted as her white knight, she says. Others tips include the 2005 Jacob's Creek Riesling Steingarten (13.19, Tesco) and the 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Casillero del Diablo (4.49, Sainsbury's). "Easily dismissed by wine snobs, not all brands should be written off," Moore concludes emphatically.