Q: Two friends are taking me to Glyndebourne this month. They will bring the picnic and I, the wine. Champagne would be ideal but I cannot afford a pricey one. Any suggestions? — Mrs Doris Coote, Redhill, Surrey
A: Fortunately, good champagnes can still be had for around a tenner, although plenty of supermarket champagnes are now £12 or £13. Over at Majestic Wine Warehouses, the rich, nutty, herby Brossault Brut is £13.69, or £10.95 each for two or more, and the slightly classier biscuity, lemony L. Jaunay Brut is £12.49, or £9.99 each for two or more. Watch out, there are only 3,000 cases of L. Jaunay left, so buy, buy, buy.
PS for David Harding, of London, and others with impending nuptials, both of these champagnes make ideal wedding wines. Majestic also offers a sale or return, free delivery to venue and free glass hire agreement.
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Q: Following your recommendation earlier this year of Henschke wines from Lay & Wheeler, I tried to order two cases but was told delivery to Northern Ireland would be £24 a case: outrageous, given that Berry Bros deliver free for orders of one case or more. What’s your view? — Raymond Maw, Northern Ireland
A: Irritatingly, UK merchants’ delivery charges vary from destination to destination and from time to time, with no logical explanation. Experience has taught me always to check carriage costs at the outset. The Wine Society is the least punitive for offshore delivery charges.
Q: Recently I enjoyed Valdivieso’s big, burly Caballo Loco No 5 from Chile with roast beef for Sunday lunch. Where can I buy it? — David Gilling, via e-mail
A: At Tesco for £15.03; Tesco will shortly be moving on to the equally robust, chocolatey, roasted red meat-suitable No 6.