WINE OF THE WEEK: Église Saint-Jacques Bergerac Rouge, France

£7.75/£6.50/£4.88, Tesco

Not for the first time, Tesco is selling a French red AOP (appellation contrôlée) wine that has no vintage date, meaning that the grapes for Église Saint-Jacques Bergerac could have come from more than one harvest. Shock, horror? No, actually.

The advantage for the producer, in this case the huge Couleurs d’Aquitaine in southwest France, is that it can juggle quantities and the varied qualities of individual vineyards or grape varieties, which can make for better quality and/or keep prices down, which, of course, is good news for wine drinkers.

This wine is certainly very keenly priced, even without Tesco’s current offers, but if you have a Clubcard and buy by 26 May (see details below) it’s a bargain – a simple, but persuasive Bordeaux blend of Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc that you can get for under £5 – if you're quick.

It's a cheery, deep crimson colour and all about the fruit and smoothness – squidgy bramble jelly and ripe plums with a tiny touch of earthy graphite and herbs to give a little savoury balance.

There's no oak involved and it's intended to be drunk young, so don’t be tempted to stock up for next year, especially if bottles are going to linger in a warm kitchen.

As for food, think Bank Holiday barbecue, pizza, bolognese or sausages, and it's as happy with veggie dishes as with meat because there’s no discernible tannin to rub things up the wrong way. For the same reason, you can drink it without food and serve it quite cool in warm weather. 13%. Empty bottle weight; 446g

Église Saint-Jacques Bergerac Rouge, Bergerac, France

£7.75, Tesco; £6.50 Clubcard until 16.6.2025; £4.88 when you buy 6 or more until 26.5.25

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