In Tipping's Tipples, Mike Tipping's vote goes to Sainsbury's.

No fashion conscious supermarket can be seen without an extra wine aisle at the moment. It seems the entire supermarket world is thrusting cut-price wine offers down our throats. Staff can be seen frantically hauling baked beans and toilet rolls off the shelves to make way for the latest consignments of Chateau Demi de Prix and Warne's Wrongun Cabernet Shiraz.

My vote (topical huh?) goes to Sainsbury's which at least has some new and interesting wines in its latest drinks festival selection. The promotion runs until the end of May, you could do far worse than trying any of the following.

Nice to see a German riesling in there. Put aside any preconceived notions of sweetness you may associate with German wine and impress your tastebuds with The Naked Grape Riesling 2004. Erring on the dry side of off-dry and ever so slightly effervescent, this is a well-balanced example. A refreshing wine with plenty of crisp acidity and subtle notes of apple, peach, citrus and minerals, it's the work of Decanter Wine Man of the Year, Dr Loosen. I'll be trying some more of his wines in a forthcoming Tipping's Tipples.

There's plenty of spicy food taming acidity in Spy Mountain Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004. This is Kiwi sauvignon with the volume turned up to 11. Pungent elderflower aromas and lush grassy flavours combine with a little spritz. This will keep fans of the grape variety very happy.

There are two unchallenging reds in the festival which would be perfect to take to a barbecue.

No points for guessing the country of origin of Woop Woop Shiraz 2004. This is a very approachable and soft Aussie shiraz with juicy dark fruits and stewed rhubarb. There's loads of liquorice and mellow oak too.

Banderas de la Tierra Shiraz/Malbec 2004 is Argentinian but made by an Australian Peter Bright. Almost creamy in texture, this wine also has ripe black fruits to the fore with spice and oak too.

I've noticed how Spain keeps coming up trumps for wallet-friendly, quality reds. Proving the rule is Frutos Villar Muruve 2003, from the Toro wine-producing region. This wine is made from the tempranillo grape clone, tinta de toro. It has purple hues with black cherry and damson fruit to match.

There's some tasty oak too but not too much and hints of vanilla pod. You'd be foolish not to try this smooth, rich, dense, vibrantly tannined red at the offer price.

The Naked Grape Riesling 2004, £4.49 from £5.99 at Sainsbury's. 17/20

Spy Mountain Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2004, £4.99 from £7.99 at Sainsbury's. 16/20

Woop Woop Shiraz 2004, £4.99 from £8.99 at Sainsbury's. 16/20

Banderas de la Tierra Shiraz/Malbec 2004, £3.49 from £6.99 at Sainsbury's. 15/20

Frutos Villar Muruve 2003, £5.99 from £3.99 at Sainsbury's. 18/20

Updated: 09:03 Saturday, April 30, 2005