Marquis de Fonseguille - Vacqueyras 2004

If you have never heard of Vacqueras, it has its own AOC in Southern Rhone and is well worth looking out for. It is just not that easy to find on UK supermarket shelves.

According to Wiki, Vacqueyras received the A.O.C. Côtes du Rhône (CdR) Decree appellation in 1937. It could add its village name to the CdR Village status in 1990 and received its own appellation - A.O.C. Vacqueyras in 1995. Vineyards are located in Vacqueyras proper and the neighbouring village of Sarrians. About 1300 hectares are under cultivation with a yearly production of roughly 40,000 hl.

Red and rosé wines are made from Grenache Noir, Syrah, Cinsaut and Mourvèdre grapes, white wines from Clairette, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Bourboulenc.

This one I found in a Calais supermarket for 6 euros a bottle and it is excellent. Really smooth but enough chunkiness and bite to go with any red meat dish.  Mainly Grenache (60%) and Syrah (30%), it will go down well at any dinner party and at this price is cheap enough to take to BBQs, although I would advise that you keep it to yourself and drink with pleasure, knowing full well that this could pass quite happily for a £16 bottle of wine.