Wines of the Week: Legaris Reserva 2004; Aliwen Reserva Pinot Noir; Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009

Sunday lunch

Legaris Reserva 2004

May is National Wine Month, aimed at encouraging more adventurous wine drinking – so some recommendations in that spirit. First, proving that Spanish wine is not all Rioja (though it comes from the same Tempranillo grape) is this amazingly concentrated, barrel-aged red from the Ribera del Duero. Lots of port-like liquorice, coffee and raisin fruit flavours best savoured with roast rare meats. £18.99, Oddbins

Weekday supper

Aliwen Reserva Pinot Noir

Not everyone thinks of Chile when it comes to Pinot Noir, but this is a great example of Old World elegance in South American wine. Medium-bodied, full of red-berry fruits and a lovely long savoury finish, it is a great accompaniment to pizza or tomato-based pasta dishes. And since May Day is about universal socialism, it is worth pointing out that for every bottle sold, a donation is made to help educate the young of the indigenous Mapuche people

Bargain basement

Starborough Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009

May is also the peak of the British asparagus season, a delicacy considered difficult to pair with wine. But since we are being adventurous, why not try a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc such as this crisp mix of herbaceous green grass and rounded tropical citrus flavours, which does the job splendidly. On a weekend when there has been a lot of talk about marriage, this is a union that really works.

The independent