Sir Alex Ferguson likes his reds. By that I mean he knows his claret from his Beaujolais. The soon to be former Man U gaffer is known to have a passion for fine wine.

An Italian newspaper, Gazzetta dello Sport, reported him as saying that, “The best French wines are still the best in the world.”

I’m sure he will go on enjoying the finest vino, with all that extra time in his retirement. Sadly the majority of us are not on legendary football manager wages or pensions; so those first growth clarets are out of our league.

That’s not to say all Bordeaux wines are prohibitively expensive. I am beginning to believe some offer really good value for money. I’ve picked a Bordeaux red, white and rosé this week and although they are not in the bargain basement, you won’t need to have Fergie’s credit card to afford them.

Made from merlot and cabernet franc, Château Roques Mauriac Classic Rosé 2011 is quite appealing. It will work on its own or with a variety of foods. Nicely dry and creamy in the mouth, it has strawberry ice lolly aromas and flavours of red berry fruit, with herbs and spices.

I think Bordeaux white wines are often underrated, so why not try one instead of your usual New World sauvignon blanc? The Wine Society has Vieux Château Gaubert 2010, Graves, which is a 50-50 blend of sauvignon and semillon.

It has rich, long flavours of grapefruit, lemon, pineapple and honey, with a crisp acidity and a hint of toasty oak.

If you are after a good partner for roast lamb then head to M&S for a bottle of Château Saint-Paul 2010, Haut-Medoc. This is a blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot with just a soupçon of petit verdot.

Concentrated, smooth and balanced, it suggests cherry, cassis and plum, with dark chocolate notes and vanilla.

Château Roques Mauriac Classic Rosé 2011, £8.20 from Bordeaux Undiscovered (bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk) 16/20

Vieux Château Gaubert 2010, Graves, £12.50 from The Wine Society 18/20

Château Saint-Paul 2010, Haut-Medoc, £14.99 at M&S 17/20