Get yourself to the Great Yorkshire Show and uncork some fine wines, says MIKE TIPPING.

If I was visiting the Great Yorkshire Show this year I'd make a beeline for the 35 South wine trailer, where you can get free samples from the 35 South range. Free wine is always good, unless the wine is bad. I'm glad to say the four wines being offered at the show aren't bad, I've already tried them!

The quartet of wines are all of the 2003 vintage and shouldn't cost more than £4.99.

My mate Kippa favours two economical reds which can usually be found in his wine rack.

One is Banrock Station Shiraz Mataro (perhaps more on that wine another week) and the other is 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon.

The cabernet sauvignon punches above its weight with brambles, dark chocolate, vanilla and peppery spices.

Showing similar fiery qualities is the 35 South Merlot. This wine is big on plums but is also equipped with a nettle afterburner to boost it's lingering flavours. It made a great partner to the generously spiced Lincolnshire sausages I was enjoying for dinner.

35 South Chardonnay is a real rooster booster, I had this one with chicken the next night. Toast and pungent blossom fill the nose with this wine but the real surprise is the banana flavours therein. It's buttery and moreish and very good value.

Now when I said the four wines at the show were good, I was bending the truth slightly. It's just that I like my sauvignon blancs best with fresh lime and cut grass flavours. The 35 South Sauvignon Blanc doesn't have these qualities but if, unlike me, you like alcohol-enhanced elderflower cordial then you'll be as happy as Larry with it. I'll have an extra glass of the chardonnay instead.

35 South Cabernet Sauvignon 2003, rrp £4.99 at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Somerfield and Spar ****

35 South Merlot 2003, rrp £4.99 at Safeway ****

35 South Chardonnay 2003, rrp £4.99 at Asda ****

35 South Sauvignon Blanc 2003, rrp £4.99 at Asda, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Somerfield and Spar **

Updated: 08:30 Saturday, July 10, 2004