Now for a real treat this week from the northern Rhône and the ubiquitous Gamay grape, normally found in Beaujolais, but also found in the Ardeche region and thriving on the granite soils there.

It is aptly named the vin de pays de l Ardeche Gamay 2011. The wine has delightfully refreshing flavours of morello cherries and spice with hints of black pepper and refreshing red berry fruit that linger, making it great for easy drinking and an ideal party, midweek, or weekend wine, and can be drunk on its own or with lightly flavoured meat such as pork or veal.

Television celebrity, Oz Clark, voted this the best wine he tasted for under £5 and I agree – this one will fly off the shelves. Available from Marks and Spencer at £4.79 a bottle.

The beer this week is a local choice and a fine one at that from the Coniston Brewing Company and its famous Bluebird Bitter, which won the title of Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 1998 from CAMRA. Once you have tried it you will see why, the beer is a fine session ale with a light-golden colour, an intense spicy hop character, followed by a soft, fruit finish and a floral hint on the nose. Available from Booths £1.82 a bottle.

  • Graeme Hedley is sommelier and expert on food and wine at Kendal College’s Lakes Hotel School