Two wines to try: An easy-drinking Italian white and a light, juicy red from Argentina

Two wines from Marks & Spencer this week. M&S stocks fewer wines than previously but still offers a great range of interesting, well-priced wines, usually under the M&S Classic range, M&S Found, or M&S Expressions. These are all intended to take some of the guesswork out of buying wine, and I think it works. It certainly encourages consumer to try out something new at a reasonable price. I feature two today.

Vermentino has been very fashionable for a few years and this grape variety is becoming more popular with growers in Italy and elsewhere. However, Sardinia is its spiritual home and a source of some great wines.

Argentina is famous for its rich and powerful Malbec, but it also has substantial plantings of bonarda, a grape that is known as Charbono in Savoie, where it originates. The wines are typically light, juicy and fruity, perfect for drinking solo or with lighter meat and cheese dishes.