***** M&S Kaituna Hills Chardonnay 2000, 75cl, 13%, £5.99.

Region: Gisborne

Nose: A definite cut of pure fresh pineapple from leaf to core with a light lemon bite.

Palate: A chunk-filled wave of ripe juicy pineapple and light ginger touch that spices up the gums before a surprising pina colada finish.

Good Value for Money (VFM) in a juicy new vintage that will certainly add some sunshine and cheer.

*** M&S Kaituna Hills Cabernet-Merlot 1999, 75cl, 12.5%, £ 5.99.

Region: Hawkes Bay

Nose: A soft vanilla wood box of jammy blackcurrant.

Palate: A sharp-edged mix of blackcurrant and cherry dries off to powdery bitter vanilla wood tannins.

Lacks the excitement of its stable companion.

***** Windermere Wine Stores (WWS) West Brook Sauvignon Blanc 1998, 75cl, 13.5%, £6.99.

Region: Marlborough

Nose: A rich flurry of greengage and nettle freshness with a maturing scent of elderflower.

Palate: A ripening complexity of flavours cheekily holds on to an initial zingy-edged grass and nettle freshness before coming of age in an icing-dusted gooseberry finish that stays around like an old friend.

This is a flower in full bloom.

A great opportunity at a sensible price to drink now.

A concentrated and well-structured example of a maturing Sauvignon that's fattening up nicely but still keeping refreshingly fit.

****+ WWS West Brook Merlot 1998, 75cl, 13%, £7.99.

Region: Henderson

Nose: Hot and heady aromas of juicy dark plum compote with just a sprinkle of spice.

Palate: Smooth textured plum and light cherry fruit is matched with fine bitter-edged tannins that flow hand in hand to a smoky plum skin finish.

Warming earthy red that's medium to full bodied, ripe and elegant - also ready now.

****+ Oddbins Montana Reserve Riesling 1999, 75cl, 13%, £7.99.

Region: Brancott Valley/Marlborough

Nose: Rounded citrus oil scents with a fresh honey-grilled grapefruit sting.

Palate: Fresh, racy and juicy grapefruit citrus and honey flavours unite in a balanced pithy and zest finish.

A beautiful experience.

Aromatic with light floral and citrus fruit intensity that retains elegance with a good honeyed balance.

****+ Oddbins Villa Maria Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 1999, 75cl, 12.5%, £7.99.

Region: Hawkes Bay

Nose: Beautifully-balanced aromas of juicy fresh blackberry fruit and subtly spiced vanilla oak.

Palate: A meaty yet fruit-filled medley of blackcurrant and blackberry rich tannins that never lose touch with the skins they came from caressed with spiced vanilla oak.

One of the few wines tasted recently that doesn't smell of pencil shavings.

This is a skilled example of how to combine fruit and wood in perfect harmony.

**** Asda Nobilo White Cloud Medium Dry White 1999, 750ml, 10.5%, £4.79.

Region: North Island

Nose: Refreshingly clean Germanic floral and grapey aromas.

Palate: A floral-spiked tropical fruit cocktail dominated by spiced lychee with a crisp drying finish.

A lunchtime friendly wine at only 10.5 per cent that will refresh the taste buds before, during and after any light salad-based meal.

**** Asda Montana Cabernet-Merlot 1999, 75cl, 13%, £6.79.

Region: East Coast

Nose: Soft and warm jammy whiffs of young leafy blackcurrant, plum and cherry fringed with spiced vanilla wood.

Palate: Smooth and still youthfully fresh-edged blackcurrant and plum fruit is wrapped in creamy subtle oak and spice tannins.

Quality fruit that's soft and easy - not sure about the price tag though.

*****+ Co-op Montana Sauvignon Blanc 2000, 75cl, 12.2%, £5.99.

Region: Marlborough

Nose: Clean as a whistle, fresh gooseberry and grass breeze.

Palate: Razor sharp acidity cuts its way through gooseberry, lime and lychee richness before settling down amid a fresh grassy harvest.

Excellent VFM.

The balance of this wine is a sheer delight and what Kiwi Sauv Blanc is all about - classic.

The 2000 yield might be disappointing but the quality is stunning and worth every penny.

***+ Morrisons Kapua Sprigs Medium Dry White 1998, 75cl, 11%, £3.99.

Region: Hawkes Bay

Nose: Scents of waxy, firm pear are accompanied by just a hint of orange blossom and a drip of honey.

Palate: An initial unripe twang of pear and green grape mellows with a lightly floral honeyed sweetness before closing in a rebellious and refreshing bite of lime marmalade.

Good party drop that's easy on the alcohol and your pocket.

*** Morrisons Montana Chardonnay 1999, 75cl, 13%, £5.99.

Region: East Coast

Nose: Fresh lime soaked oak and buttery nut tones.

Palate: A happy marriage of oak and butter develops a spiciness that has a bitter walnut edge.

Intense, high-acid flavours, softened out by new oak barrels but who kidnapped that juicy fruit we all got to love?