HAPPY new year and welcome to a slightly new-look Tipping's Tipples. It's out with the old five-star rating system and in with the new 20-point version.

I've found the star system a little restrictive. A good wine would rate four stars yet so would a truly excellent one. Hopefully, with the new system I can more accurately sum up my verdict on any wine tasted.

Here are four to start the new year with. Two reds and two whites guaranteed to get rid of those post-Christmas blues.

Starting off in South Africa and a red recommended to me by a regional TV news cameraman. Wine is a good subject of conversation and it turns out that his wife is South African and it is through her that he discovered this one.

The wine in question is KSV Roodeberg, a red blend from the Western Cape. The 2003 vintage is good but, better still, the 2002. Snap it up while you can.

Warning: the Roodeberg 2002 is medium-bodied, highly-quaffable, very smooth and all too easy to drink. Every slurp yields spices, pepper, chocolate and red fruit, with well-integrated oak.

Or check out a new vintage release of a Spanish red similar in style, being medium-bodied and an easy drinker. At under £5 it won't hurt you in the pocket too much. That's handy if you're pulling tight the purse strings after overspending at Christmas.

The blend of cabernet sauvignon and tempranillo in Osborne Solaz 2002 is appealing. Modern but with a distinctly Spanish character there are ample amounts of ripe berry fruit flavours present. A good oakey nose and some fine tannins too.

Flavour isn't lacking in two whites I've tried. Both are new vintage releases from New Zealand producer Villa Maria.

Riesling is just about my favourite white grape and Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling 2004 is a worthy example. Erring on the dry side of off-dry, this riesling delivers a bouquet of spring flowers with flavours of pear, melon, limes and a good fresh acidity.

I was even more impressed by the curry-friendly Villa Maria Private Bin Gewrztraminer 2004. Like the riesling, the gewrztraminer shows just a hint of sweetness kept in check by the wine's acidity. It's rich with exotic spices and flavours of lychees and passion fruit.

KSV Roodeberg 2002, £6.49 at Thresher, Morrisons and Safeway. 16/20

Osborne Solaz 2002, £4.52 at Asda, £4.99 at Budgens and Jacksons. 15/20

Villa Maria Private Bin Riesling 2004, £6.99 at Thresher, Majestic, Sainsburys, Waitrose and Budgens. 15/20

Villa Maria Private Bin Gewrztraminer 2004, £7.97 at Asda. 16/20

Bidding for the disaster appeal

Jim Helsby of York Beer and Wine Shop has come up with a corking idea to raise money for the Asian tsunami disaster appeal. Jim has a bottle of Chateau Pavie Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 1996 (good vintage, good region, good chateau). He says if he was putting this on the shelf in the shop it would have a price tag of around £50. Instead he is inviting bids for the wine and all the money will go to the appeal.

Ring Jim with your bid on York 647136, e-mail ybws@york10.freeserve.co.uk or drop in to the shop which is in Sandringham Street, off Fishergate. Offers in excess of £50 needed, bidding closes on Thursday, January 20, 2005.

Updated: 08:35 Saturday, January 08, 2005