MIKE TIPPING indulges in some Chilean reds in the knowledge they are good for you.

Aren't flavonols brilliant? They are antioxidants that are believed to protect against heart disease, cancer, degenerative illness and the effects of ageing.

Good enough already you might think but flavonols go one better. There are lots of them in red wine. If I was a flavonol, I'd go for that option too!

Recent findings at Glasgow University reveal that Chilean reds are the richest in flavonols. Not that I ever need much of an excuse but that sounds like a good reason to indulge.

I've tried three wines from the MontGras range to start with. Only one is available locally, MontGras Limited Edition Syrah 2002.

It's full of burnt toast, tar, dark fruits and treacle toffee.

If I had a criticism, it would be to say that there is just a little too much oak.

But this is a whole lot of wine for your money and it's not for the fainthearted.

I also tucked in to MontGras Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Reserva 2000.

I could wax lyrical about the strawberries, cherries and black pepper flavours and how much I enjoyed this wine. Sadly it's only stocked at Waitrose, the nearest one's in Newark I believe.

Not doing so well in the Tipping's Tipples taste test was the MontGras Limited Edition Malbec 2001, which I found fruity but rather tannic. Stockists for this wine aren't available yet but I've found a better replacement courtesy of Playford Ros.

Montes Malbec Reserve 2001 has lovely soft tannins with blackberry flavours which keep the oak in check. There's a sweetness too, a hint of toasted marshmallow.

I'm sure this wine, with it's deep purple colour, is kinder to the palate than the teeth.

On this note, my dentist suggests drinking water after supping reds. This neutralises the acids before you brush.

Staying with health, it's important to remember that the recommended daily allowance of alcohol units is three to four for men and two to three for women. That's up to four medium-sized glasses of wine for the boys and no more than three for the girls. I must buy some bigger medium-sized glasses!

MontGras Limited Edition Syrah 2002

£7.49, Safeway

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Creosote for the palate

Montes Malbec Reserve 2001

£6.95

visit sales@playfordros.com

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Charming example

Updated: 14:07 Tuesday, April 20, 2004