Wines of the week: Baileyana Grand Firepeak Cuvée 2007; Clay Station Viognier 2009; Bonterra Vineyards Lake County Muscat 2008/09
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy
Sunday lunch
Baileyana Grand Firepeak Cuvée 2007
To mark American Independence Day tomorrow, this is the first of three fascinating Californian wines: a sophisticated, silky Pinot Noir from the Edna Valley – but with typical New World ripe-fruit style – that should appeal to all who love fine Burgundy, but cannot afford current prices. Decant a day before drinking and savour with a really good roast chicken, mushrooms or rare tuna. £20, laithwaites.co.uk
Midweek meal
Clay Station Viognier 2009
Made in the Lodi area, this is an immensely elegant and well-made wine, bursting with floral, peachy aromas, a lushly textured body and a crisp, bone-dry finish that makes for a very different mouthful. Great as an aperitif, but also a terrific accompaniment to foods traditionally difficult to match with wine, such as mildly spiced or sweet-sour Asian cusine. £11.30, slurp.co.uk
Bargain basement
Bonterra Vineyards Lake County Muscat 2008/09 (37.5cl)
A sweet wine is the perfect finish to a meal, whether it accompanies cheese, fruit or puddings and this 8.5 per cent – although it is not really relevant – Muscat from one of California's biggest organic producers, based in Mendocino County, can do the job very well on all three fronts. Full of aromas of honeysuckle and citrus, with an unexpectedly clean, fresh, citrus taste. £4.99 (until 19 July; normally £6.99), waitrosewine.com and selected Waitrose stores
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