WINE: Funny Valentine's (From Croydon Guardian)

WINE: Funny Valentine's with John McNerney

12:43pm Tuesday 24th January 2012 in Drink

In the current economic climate it may not be easy to add a touch of romance to your life but something as simple as a glass of bubbly can add zest at an affordable price.

You needn’t stretch to the cost of Champagne either, as the quality of some alternative fizzes is constantly improving.

Freixenet Cordon Negro is a classic, instantly recognisable bottle with its sexy matt black finish. £9.49 widely available and is a consistently reliable elegant fizz.

Or, as we are near Valentines Day, you could opt for a bottle of Freixenet Cordon Rosado (£9.49) Waitrose 25% Off, £9.49 - £7.09 its fruity aroma, fresh taste and pale strawberry colour are reminiscent of languid days in the Mediterranean sun.

Codorníu Reina Maria Cristina 2008 Blanc de Noirs £14.99 Majestic, Noel Young Wines at nywines.co.uk. This is Codorníu’s premium cava and offers a more complex and intricate style of Cava full of reserved, red berry fruits and leesy, yeasty sophistication.

If it has to be Champagne then Waitrose have Bollinger Rosé NV Champagne, France, 20% Off, £49.99 - £39.99. Inimitable style and class in a delicate pink hue with depth of flavour and concentration.

Or if you prefer a still wine Villa Maria Reserve Wairau Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011 RRP £13.99, Majestic Wine, Wine Rack, nzhouseofwine.co.uk. This has a fine, zesty, lime streaked gooseberry tone with ripe exotic fruit tones underlying the lively acidity.

Villa Maria Reserve Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 RRP £13.99, Sainsbury’s, Oddbins, nzhouseofwine.co.uk has more of a chalky limestone feel to the palate with a delicious minerality to the flavour.

Villa Maria also have a couple of even more enticing Sauvignon Blancs.

Out there is the zesty complex Villa Maria Single Vineyard Graham Sauvignon Blanc 2011 RRP £14.99, Majestic Wine, Ocado and the crisp crunchy, beansprout and lime toned Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylor’s Pass Sauvignon Blanc 2011 RRP £14.99, Tesco.

Following a strong year’s trading in 2011, The Wine Society has not put up prices in the new January list and has even lowered prices on more than 300 wines.

The Wine Society is a non-profit maximising organisation, where profits are ploughed back into the business for the benefit of members.

Therefore, around £1m of profit has been reinvested to keep prices as low as possible.

The excellent buying team has continued to seek out the best wines, which give members the best value for money – their judgment never being clouded by the need for deep discount deals or BOGOFs.

The Wine Society won the wine trade’s two most prestigious awards in 2011, Decanter Magazine Merchant of the Year and International Wine Challenge Merchant of the Year.

The Society’s St Emilion 2008 (10.95 instead of £11.95) is s delicious warm plumy mouthful with that edge of cedary vanilla and depth of concentrated blackcurrant that make the best of St Emilion.

Exhibition St Aubin Rouge 2009 (£9.95 instead of £10.95) an intoxicating nose of fresh raspberries and wild strawberries with a breath of summer meadow precedes a smooth, ripe red fruits mouthful of delight. More please.

Viña Pomal Rioja Reserva 2006 £12.99 Majestic, Yourfavouritewines.com, Everywine.co.uk, Screw It & Pull It (Croydon) is a delicious Rioja Reserva full of blackberry and raspberry flavours and soft velvety tannins.

Viña Pomal Crianza 2008 Majestic Everywine.co.uk and Rhythmandbooze.co.uk is a ligher more everyday drinking Rioja with fresh vibrant cherry fruit and a hint of anis.

The spicy vanilla tones from the oak ageing add a savoury aspect. Just the thing for a quiet night in with a friend...