Corks have been popping at Playford Ros, the Thirsk-based vintners, which has been picking up gongs recently.

Not only has it been named Restaurant Supplier of the Year in the Wine of Australia awards but it has also helped the Crown Inn at Great Ouseburn become the Northern Wine Pub of the Year in the Les Routiers awards.

Apart from supplying GNER as well as many local restaurants and hotels with wine, Playford Ros would also be happy to supply you. Bottles are sold by the case, which can be mixed. Check out the website at www.playfordros.com or telephone 01845 526777.

I've tried a French red and white this week, both personal favourites of Playford Ros boss Andrew Firth.

The Languedoc in France makes a habit of producing great wines at very reasonable prices. This is certainly the case (and I suggest you order one) with Mas de Jade Picpoul de Pinet 2003. Blossom nosed, lively and bone dry, this white is made from the picpoul grape native to the Languedoc. It's got fantastic acidity and lemon flavours tempered by apricot notes. All this and change from a fiver, a bargain indeed!

The red from Playford Ros is also from the Languedoc-Roussillon region but more specifically the Minervois appellation. Chateau Remaury Grande Reserve 2001 is slick stuff, smooth, full and rich with cherry and bramble flavours. This blend of syrah and mourvedre is remarkably fiery with lots of tasty vanilla oak to contrast. A nicely balanced, velvety tannined pleasure for your palate. Find me a better red for £5.99 and I'll be more than happy to drink it for you!

Away from Playford Ros to a pair of cheap and cheerful wines, with a difference. Either would be great to take to a Yuletide party.

Firstly a Spanish offering, Vinas del Vero Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo 2003, an old meets new fusion that works brilliantly. With huge amounts of cherry and redcurrant fruit and woodland berries on the nose, there's everything you'd expect of a modern red.

But the cabernet sauvignon has a twist of tempranillo, giving the wine loads of Spanish character. The Vinas del Vero is soft, approachable, economical glugging at £3.99.

New to the shelves at Asda is a South African wine that will bring back childhood memories of visits to the sweet shop. Dumisani Pinotage Ros 2004 has fruit chew aromas and strawberry ice-lolly flavours. The wine is dry on the finish, refreshing, fun and exceedingly quaffable.

Who said you can't get good wine for less than a fiver?

Mas de Jade Picpoul de Pinet 2003, £4.99, from Playford Ros ****

Chateau Remaury Grande Reserve 2001, £5.99, from Playford Ros ****

Vinas del Vero Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo 2003, £3.99, at the Co-Op ****

Dumisani Pinotage Ros 2004, £3.97, at Asda ****

Updated: 16:17 Friday, November 05, 2004