Something For The Weekend: Waitrose Blanc de Blancs Non Vintage Champagne<br></br>2000 1865 Carmenÿre Reserva<br></br>1999 Julian's Single Vineyard Petit Verdot
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Your support makes all the difference.Saturday: Waitrose Blanc de Blancs Non Vintage Champagne, £13.49 from £15.99, Waitrose
This is not a Marie Antoinette-style let-them-drink-fizz every Saturday decree, but when one of the best value champagnes in the high street is reduced by £1.50, it's worth putting in a few last orders (promotion ends tomorrow) for this creamy-textured, toasty, all-chardonnay blend from the Charles Heidsieck team.
Sunday: 2000 1865 Carmenère Reserva, Maule Valley, £8.95, Roberson Fine Wine, London W14 (020-7371 2121) on promotion; £9.99, Wine Rack
One school of thought points to the carmenère grape as Chile's best source for red wines. The theory is borne out by this textbook rich and concentrated example of the variety from Viña San Pedro. Coming over like a Chilean version of a Saint-Emilion grand cru, it oozes mulberry richness, stylish oak padding and a supple finish for balance. Try it with a traditional roast shoulder of lamb.
Any day: 1999 Julian's Single Vineyard Petit Verdot, Yaldara, South Australia, £4.99, Majestic
I have no idea who Julian is, but this is a typical one-off special Majestic "deal", a gluggy rhubarb and blackcurranty bin-end made from Bordeaux's late-ripening petit verdot. The grape does particularly well in Julian's vineyard at Coldridge Estate in the heat of South Australia's Riverland. A handy barbecue red for balmy summer days, should they occur. AR
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