A few favourite wines that you might like to try. My budget is limited, so mostly they're inexpensive!

There are some expensive ones, but I bought them in France where they are at least affordable!

France

A good Bordeaux is always welcome. Asda currently sell their own-label Claret at under £3 a bottle and it's well worth it.
In France, look out for Malesan (best drunk young I think, it seems to become harsh as it ages - not that I've managed to get any to keep longer than three years!) and Baron de Lestac as inexpensive but enjoyable wines. Both are fruity, full-bodied, with hints of vanilla - Lestac is slightly heavier on the oak.

White Bordeaux can be excellent too. Last year we found Montesquieux in both red and white and both were superb.

For a cheap but drinkable white, Muscadet is the best of the Loire valley wines.

Cotes de Bourg - (Dulong Freres). A rich , spicy wine with a hint of oak.

Cote du Rhone. Always a reliable wine, but the Cuvee Prestige fron Les Caves Saint Pierre was particularly nice. Look out for Honore Lavigne in numbered bottles, and Chemin des Papes and Bois de la Cour are two that are better laid down for a couple of years. A reliable down-to-earth wine is Cellier des Dauphins, usually available in Morrison's and Sainsbury's. I've found this to be perfect with the version of chicken teriyaki I cook!

Medoc. Now we're talking! There are many fine Medoc wines, but Chateau Tour Christophe is a good budget version. The 97 is perhaps better than the 96. Chateau Fort Vaubin is a nice Haut-Medoc.

Beaujolais is tainted by the stigma of the "nouveau" wines, which really overshadows the finer wines of the Crus de Beaujolais. Look out for Brouilly, Julienas and my favourite, Morgon. Club des Somelliers have a nice one, and Auchan's own label Pierre Chanau is good too.

Bourgogne (burgundy) produce many fine wines, the 98 Chante Flute being one. Look too for the better Haut Cotes de Beaune and Haut Cotes de Nuit wines. Here too are some excellent whites, such as the Bourgogne Aligote.

Lalande de Pomerol seems to be little known outside France but is generally excellent. Duche la Lande is a good label, and better still, Croix de St Louis.

Looking for white? Chablis tends to be expensive and very dry; a Petit Chablis is cheaper and slightly less dry.

Another excellent crisp white is Pouilly Fume. Again, be prepared to pay for it.

Approaching the top of the tree we have St Emilion. This tends to be expensive even in France, though the Montagne versions ae cheaper. For a top wine for a special occasion, try Port du Roy, a Grand Cru.

Finally for France there is Pauillac. This is really expensive even in France! Chateau Haut de la Becade is one of the more affordable labels.

Spain

Spanish wines can be quite underrated. Top of my list at present is

Marques de Tena (Gandia), from the Utiel-Requena region. This region produces some fine wines, but Marques de Tena is excellent, smooth, rich, fruity. A wine for drinking socially or with a meal. And if anyone knows where I can buy some more, email me! STILL LOOKING!

Marques de Chive, and better still, Marques de Chive Reserva are available in Tesco. From the same area as Tena, though not quite as distinctive. Still worth drinking though!

Albali Tinto Reserva 1991 is available in Asda. Very smooth, fruity, with vanilla aromas, goes down a treat!

Riojas are usually good, and one I like is El Meson. This one too is available in Asda. For a top-notch rioja, seek out a Faustino, or of you can find it, Siglo. This bottle comes wrapped in its own sack!

South America

This part of the New World is producing some wines of character now. One of my current favourites is La Rural Malbec (Argentina), available in Asda. Or at least it was! Why is it when I find a wine I like, they stop selling it? Described on the label as " a wine of considerable richness and smoothness of structure and a hint of oak", which is accurate. (Asda have introduced their own label Argentine malbec, a little more expensive. Unfortunately it's not as good as La Rural).
There is also a white chardonnay/pinot blanc by La Rural, which has a curious combination of chardonnay bite and Germanic flavours.

Gato Negro Chilean Merlot is also very palatable, though a touch more expensive than the others.

Sorry there are few whites at the moment, I tend to drink more red as I don't have to plan ahead and chill it!