MAYBE it is a symptom of the recession or perhaps I’m getting fussier, but there isn’t much being given away at the supermarkets these days. Although if you take a casual glance down some outlets’ wine aisles, you could be mistaken for thinking there are bargains galore.

As a rule of thumb, I think that so called ‘half-price’ offers should be avoided. I find myself wondering if any of these wines are indeed even worth their offer price.

In the interests of research, and believe me it was no great pleasure, I’ve tasted a few of these apparent ‘bargains’. Most don’t take up much space in my wine notes and were found desperately lacking.

There are always exceptions, such as Promenade des Papes, Plan de Dieu 2007, Côtes du Rhône Villages, which features in Tesco’s autumn wine festival. A blend of grenache, mourvèdre and syrah, it delivers lots of smooth, spicy, cherry and bramble flavours, laced with chocolate and liquorice.

Sticking with supermarkets, and okay this one is not half price but is reduced by £2, there is Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner 2008, in Waitrose’s Around The World Iin Wine promotion. This is a good, basic grüner, Austria’s signature grape, and is well worth a try instead of your usual sauvignon blanc or chardonnay. Dry and fresh, with a hint of effervescence, this has suggestions of honey, apple, citrus and green peas.

The Co-operative has its own label Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 on offer, also with £2 off. This fruit-laden smooth red from the Cantina Madonna dei Miracoli winery is chockablock with cherries ‘n’ berries, and enough acidity to ensure it will cut it with the pasta.

On a separate note, I’d like to raise a glass to TV cook and bon viveur Keith Floyd, who died this week. Although he was no role model, Floyd’s food programmes made essential viewing and did much to lift this country out of the gastronomic doldrums. He also had excellent taste in music. Cheers, Keith.

• Promenade des Papes, Plan de Dieu 2007, Côtes du Rhône Villages, £4.99 down from £9.99, until October 6 at Tesco 16/20

• Domäne Wachau Grüner Veltliner 2008, £5.99 down from £7.99, until September 27 at Waitrose 16/20

• The Co-operative’s Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007, £5.99 down from £7.99, until September 29 at The Co-operative 17/20