In this week's Tipping's Tipples, Mike Tipping indulges his sweet tooth.

DOES wine count as part of your five-a-day fruit and veg? This question appeared on a web forum last month, but I think it was asked with tongue in cheek.

The forum is part of the website of the Circle of Wine Writers. Yes, there is such an organisation, and I am a member.

I am bound by a strict code of ethics and at tastings I am expected to be capable of landing a gobful of wine in a spitoon (six inches in diameter) at a distance of five feet. I am also prone to rambling-wine-boreitis, an untreatable affliction, which is exasperated by good quality riesling and captivating red cuvees.

Of course, the answer to my opening question is no. But I have the perfect solution, allowing you to have your cake and eat it. Actually, in this case you can have your fruit salad and eat it, paired with a lusciously sweet pudding wine, the perfect end to a dinner. Plus if you have enough fruit salad, you'll be getting the best part of your five-a-day.

There really is no excuse for not serving a pudding wine when entertaining, aside from not having enough money left. You need look no further than the supermarket shelves for fairly decent sweet wines, and there are some reasonably priced ones too, even those with Sauternes on the label.

If you don't shop at Morrisons, it's worth making a special trip for a bottle of Sichel Sauternes 2003, which has far more about it than its price tag might suggest. It is gorgeous, lemon-scented stuff, with flavours of treacle tart, apricot, a nod towards oak ageing and fresh acidity.

Tesco Finest Sauternes 2004 is not as good and costs more. This is not a glowing recommendation I know, but actually I'd be more than happy to be served this wine. It's rich and golden with honey and baked stonefruit flavours.

Away from the supermarket and away from Sauternes, and perhaps the real bargain in this bunch, is a vin de pays from south west France. Domaine de Miselle Soleil d'Automme' 2005 vin de pays des Cotes de Gascogne oozes character. The wine, made from the dense-skinned, petit manseng grape, has treacle toffee and floral aromas, with notes of golden syrup, honey, mollases and minerals... and oohh look, a full 75cl bottle too! It's available from York based HC Wines (www.hcwines.co.uk).


Sichel Sauternes 2003, £8.99 (50cl) from Morrisons 17/20

Tesco Finest Sauternes 2004, £11.99 (37.5cl) from Tesco 15/20Domaine de Miselle Soleil d'Automme' 2005, £7.95 from HC Wines (www.hcwines.co.uk) 18/20