It’s a vinous minefield out there. Finding a good bottle of wine is not easy, if you can’t taste it first. It seems for every bottle I open and like, there is another that disappoints.

Whilst I agree that supermarket own label wines can often represent good value, they are not necessarily a more reliable choice than any other wine on the shelf.

For instance, I don’t always “taste the difference” with Sainsbury’s upper flight of own label wines. But some are really good, like Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Aglianico del Vulture 2009.

It’s a big, robust, southern Italian red that will go with meaty pasta dishes. Showing quite firm tannins, it has ripe flavours of cherry and brambles with, violets, spice and mineral notes.

I don’t gravitate towards brand wines either. Some well known names produce very poor wines, in my opinion but Casillero del Diablo is not one of those. The Chilean outfit produces good value wines in the main: a ‘safe bet’ when you need to grab a bottle from the supermarket.

Casillero del Diablo “Devil’s Collection” white 2012 is new to the range. It’s a highly quaffable blend of sauvignon blanc, chardonnay and gewürztraminer, that is positively bursting with tropical fruit flavours and citrus zest.

Getting to know your local wine merchant can be a good option, he or she should be able to point you in the right direction. It is a matter of trust.

The same applies to specialist organisations such as The Wine Society, which provides customers with advice by telephone.

By coincidence, I’ve just tasted a good value red from The Wine Society, Domaine Maby Baroques 2012, Pont Du Gard. It’s a spicy, peppery, full-bodied, yet easy drinking Rhône blend of syrah and cinsault, showing plenty of black fruit flavour.

So what would my advice be if you are unsure about choosing a wine? The answer is simple, keep reading the weekly column by the wine critic in your local newspaper. Take it from me, his recommendations are always spot on!

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Aglianico del Vulture 2009, £8.99 at Sainsbury’s 17/20

Casillero del Diablo “Devil’s Collection” white 2012, £8.99 at Tesco and asda.com 18/20

Domaine Maby Baroques 2012, Pont Du Gard, £7.50 from The Wine Society 17/20