Just for a change, I'd love to sample a real stinker of a wine, one that I could slate to high heaven. Alas I have no recent memory of a wine that was any less than drinkable.

Until I come across a vinegar red with hints of sticking plasters or acid-bath white with ear-wax afternotes, I'll just have to be content with words of praise.

Words of praise, high praise, are all I have for the following five wines. They're worth snapping up at their knock-down price, during the current Sainsbury's wine festival, ending on February 22.

Chilean and cabernet sauvignon are words that I hold close to my heart. I was glad not to be 'stood up' by El Dorado Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2002. An inky potion of mint, berry fruit, vanilla and sprightly tannins are all in balance.

If you like fruit bursting out of a wine then Buckingham Estate Reserve Shiraz 2002 will not disappoint. There are plump, juicy blackcurrant aromas and a compote of dark fruits on the palate with a lingering black pepper kick. Notes of clove too and the restrained use of oak. Good gluggable stuff from the Margaret River region of Western Australia.

Those of you who have avoided Spanish reds over the last decade or so should try Marques de Monistrol Reserva Privada 1999. A modern Spanish wine over-brimming with coconut and chargrilled oak, plums, brambles, pencil lead, fine tannins and sweet chocolate afternotes. This extrovert red, a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and tempranillo, is being given away at the festival price of £3.99. Do yourself a favour and buy some.

White wine lovers are catered for in the festival as well.

Firstly, a super sauvignon blanc bearing the shorter name of sauvignon on the label, which is commonly used in France. This is not surprising because, although this wine is from Chile, like the cabernet sauvignon mentioned earlier, it is the work of Frenchman Jacques Lurton.

El Dorado Sauvignon 2004 is almost colourless but certainly not lacking in any other respect. With cut grass on the nose and the characteristic elderflower notes of the grape, it's dry, fresh and crisp. All helped along by a nice weight of lime and pineapple flavours. This wine begs to be drunk.

As does a South African blend of chardonnay with the very fashionable and flowery viognier grape. Graham Beck Chardonnay Viognier 2004 is fish friendly but doubles as a top-notch aperitif. It's creamy with a blossom-fuelled bouquet and an apricot, honey and lemon combo' of flavours.

Jim Helsby, of York Beer and Wine Shop, is "really chuffed" after receiving a highest bid of £100 for his 1996 bottle of Chateau Pavie, featured in Tipping's Tipples at the beginning of the month. The money is being donated to the Asian tsunami disaster appeal.

El Dorado Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2002, £4.49 from £6.99 at Sainsbury's 16/20

Buckingham Estate Reserve Shiraz 2002, £4.99 from £7.99 at Sainsbury's 16/20

Marques de Monistrol Reserva Privada 1999, £3.99 from £6.99 at Sainsbury's 18/20

El Dorado Sauvignon 2004, £4.49 from £6.99 at Sainsbury's 17/20

Graham Beck Chardonnay Viognier 2004, £4.99 from £6.99 at Sainsbury's 16/20

Updated: 09:23 Saturday, January 29, 2005