This week I am continuing the classic and eclectic mix, with two fabulous wines: one is a classic blend of red varieties and the other a single variety, which you may not be familiar with.

Beginning with the white, from Austria of all places, and the Kamptal region, comes the Rabel Winery Gruner Veltliner 2010, which is available at £7.99 from Marks and Spencer, Kendal. Gruner Veltliner is Austria’s signature white wine and this un-oaked edition made by the award-winning Rudolf Rabel is a stunner. From the first pour, the straw like colour leads us to a nose of apples and elderflower, then takes us to refreshing crisp floral and apple sensation in the mouth. This would be perfect with chicken ceasar salad or grilled fish.

This week's red is a classic Cote Du Rhône Village Plan de Dieu 2010, again available from Kendal's Marks and Spencer at £8.49 a bottle. The wine is a blend of grenache, syrah and carignan; each of the grapes brings a little to the blend from alcohol to body and flavour and this shows in the wine. From pouring into the glass the youthful purple colour is then followed by a rush of spice on the nose and blackcurrant and pepper in the mouth and finally, a lingering smooth taste. Match this with hearty dishes such as roast lamb or beef casseroles.

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