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With getting value for money in mind, you really must do your homework. If you are looking for a drinkable sub £5 wine, don’t do the research yourself, unless you’re not that fussed if you get a lot more failures than successes, and if push comes to shove, wine is just, well, wine. Every wine writer and blogger jealously proclaims that they were the one to discover their pet bargain wine. A minute on Google, and you will have one, or if you’re lucky two, £5 GBP recommendations for a supermarket local to you.

Don鈥檛 do the research yourself, unless you鈥檙e not that fussed if you get a lot more failures than successes

Joe Wadsack

Don’t be tempted to stray to another nicely-labelled wine next to it either. Trust me. We’ve tasted it. We just haven’t recommended it. Right. It wasn’t long ago that buying a Pinot Noir under a tenner was very sketchy ground indeed. Do not leave the path. These are rare examples indeed.

Tom’s beef & blue cheese risotto

1. Estevez Chilean Pinot Noir 2013 (Aldi £4.99)

Yes. Really. I am recommending a Pinot Noir at £4.99. Never done that before, and I imagine it’ll be a while before I do so again. Remarkably, it has genuine Pinot Noir perfume, lovely herby notes, and is crucially not at all soft and jammy. Brilliant.

2. Primarius Pinot Noir 2011 Oregon USA (Tesco £8.99)

Are you actually kidding me? Real American Pinot for less than £15 is as rare as a truthful politician. This is all heady aroma, and creamed raspberries. It’s so sensual; it cuddles you on the inside. Like a duvet in the mouth. If this wine had a personality, it would be Clarence, my teddy bear.

3. Fairbank Pinot Noir 2013, south-east Australia (Sainsburys £8)

It is richly textured, soft and generously fruited, with that telltale ripeness that Australian wines are famous for. Remarkable value, especially considering the tough Ozzie exchange rate at the moment!

Angela’s baked vanilla tart with Earl Grey prunes

With Angela’s gorgeous tart, I have gone for fragrant, inexpensive dessert wines made from Muscat. Woefully undervalued, Muscat dessert wines in all their forms surely offer the best value of all. To show you how varied they are, I have chosen these three cheeky blighters...

1. Collection Muscat de Saint Jean de Minervois (£5, Aldi)

Muscats from this picturesque corner of South West France are known for their lightness of touch, and beguiling orange blossom aromas. Made to make your mouth water.

2. Lustau Moscatel de Chipiona, Spain (£6.49 Waitrose)

This made from a different clone of Muscat, grown in the arid searing heat of the South West of Spain. Whenever I smell this wine it reminds me of earl grey tea. That scent of bergamot complements the honeyed fruit of the wine, and wonderful prunes with Angela’s cake. Mmm. A cocktail idea is forming in my head.

3. Moscato d’Asti 2013 Elio Perrone (£7.50 The Wine Society)

This is a more dessert wine like, sweeter, lighter version of the well-known fizz Asti. It’s irresistibly moreish, like drinking ice-cream. Delicate and delicious. Perfect with the tart or on its own as a palate freshener, mid-way through a meal.

*Please note that the retailers and prices listed were last updated on 22nd December 2014, and these drinks may also be available at different retailers.