White
Alexander the Great, Sauvignon BlancRoditis, Tsantalis, 1998 (Dunnes Stores, £4.49). You might wince at the name, but this new arrival from one of Macedonia's biggest producers is perfect for budget summer drinking - light and fresh with subtle citrus and tropical overtones.
Strofilia Nafiska 1997 (Oddbins, £7.49). I've written about the basic Strofilia white before, but for an extra 50p this has loads more flavour and interest. It's quite fat and luscious, all lemons and honey - the Attica equivalent of a good dry Vouvray.
Antonopoulos Adoli Ghis 1997 (Oddbins, £7.99). This one, from the Pelponnese, has that honey and lemon character, too, but it's leaner, more austere, with higher acidity making for extra freshness. Delicious.
Red
Cava Tsantalis 1994 (Dunnes Stores, £4.49). If you like jammy fruit and plenty of spicy, vanillin oak, this could be your Bottle of the Week. A blend of Xinomavro and Cabernet, it's a more serious, structured wine than the Nemea - one to keep in mind for hearty winter stews. And look at the price.
Tsantali Nemea 1995 (Dunnes Stores, £4.49). The gentler, younger sister of Cava Tsantalis is Agiorgitiko (also known as St George), the main red grape of the Nemea appellation in the Pelponnnese. Perfect for summer quaffing. See Bottle of the Week.
Amethystos, Kosta Lazaridis, 1997 (Oddbins, £9.99). A serious wine, with lashings of ripe, dark fruit and clove spice, from a man who made his fortune in the marble business and ploughed it into wine. (And a solid marble winery.) From Drama, in northern Greece.
Agiorgitiko, Boutari, 1994 (Oddbins, £9.99). Another wine which shows that Greece shouldn't be automatically shunted into the bargain basement. A richer, fleshier, spicier version of the Bottle of the Week - same grape, same region, same velvety appeal. Well worth trying.
Mitchell's Summer Sale
It began on last Monday and ends next Saturday, offering reductions on over 50 wines including many French classics. The soft, plummy St Emilion Chateau de la Cour is a great buy (1995 down £2 to £10.95, 1996 now £10.85); Mitchells' bestselling Corbieres Chateau Baronis is now just £5.99, and there are plenty of other temptations including Lamole di Lamole Chianti Classico 1997 (now £11.50). Hurry to 21 Kildare Street or 54 Glasthule Road, Sandycove.
Bouquet For Baltimore
Spurred by my recent (and ongoing) criticism of restaurant wine lists, Ian Parr of the Customs House in Baltimore has sent me a copy of his list. "I think it offers the best value in Ireland, as indeed does our food," he writes. A hefty claim. "Not all restaurateurs are villains trying to rip the public off." Indeed - which is why this column singles out good lists for mention pretty regularly as well as moaning about lazy, overpriced, dull ones. But yes: the Customs House list is excellent, offering a small, carefully chosen selection of interesting bottles at quite exceptional prices. Chateau Tahbilk Marsanne 1995 for £13, Savennieres Clos de Varennes 1997 for just £19, Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico 1996 for £18, Domaine Tempier Bandol 1994 for £20 . . . They're arranged by style with brief details. What more could you want? Time for a jaunt to West Cork, that's all. Tel 028 20200.