Another week in London for me this week, working at the International Wine Challenge. And in the evenings, I’ve gone crazy. Sort of. On Monday, an old wine friend treated me to dinner at Noble Rot, a new restaurant in Bloomsbury. Nothing rotten about it at all, rather it’s the most fabulous place for wine along with food and service that made me want to hug the waitress. The next night, a wine tasting for a HUGELY exciting project (I’ll tell you more about it as soon as I can) before a visit to The Garrick to see Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon in The Painkiller, a farce so funny I cried. Then on my third night out in a row (not done that since circa. 2005) a burger in Barnes with a friend. So, made the most. Now, home is calling.

Current white in the fridge: Collezione di Paolo

Price: £8.49 - Buy From Laithwaites

Much as I love a good Chianti, here’s another side of Tuscany and it’s all white. Made from a blend of Trebbiano, Malvasia and a dash of Chardonnay for good measure, this is such a joyous wine. Lemons, almonds and nectarine flavours all do their thing, along with a kind of herby character. Pre-food friendly or put it with a bowl of pasta and pesto.

Current red in the rack: Tesco Finest Rioja Reserva

Price: £6.00 - Buy From Tesco

Super smart Rioja that’s been left to age a while in oak barrels and then for a bit longer in the bottle. Smooth and mellow, with gorgeous black cherry fruits, this has got a couple of quid off the normal price at the moment. Great value at its normal price of £8 but really great value at £6. Needs food; roast lamb if you can.