There’s another aspect, apart from the obvious one of saving pennies or pounds, that I like about buying wines on special offer. It’s that they might tempt us to try something different. I think we all need pulling out of a wine rut from time to time – same grape, same region, same brand, week after week – and seeking out an interesting unknown bottle at a good price is one way to haul us up.

So here are some offers this week that I promise are particularly keen. They don’t include any big brands, since they hardly represent a major discovery, but instead they take us to somewhat different flavours and styles. I’ve started with a bargain red from port country. If you haven’t discovered the unfortified wines of this region yet, here’s a good opportunity. 

And if New Zealand’s Marlborough only makes you think of sauvignon blanc, do try a different grape from the region – it scores highly for other white varieties too. I’ve got a fine pinot gris (aka pinot grigio but this is packed with far more flavour).

There’s an Australian pink fizz on a special deal right now to discover, perhaps to move us on from the ubiquitous prosecco, and a Spanish red to shift Rioja fans into a different region, just for the change. I love Rioja, but it isn’t all Spain has to offer in the way of oaked reds. 

And finally, if you thought Aldi was only about bargain cheapies, just check out its offer on its own version of one of the wine world’s great classics, a glorious Amarone from Valpolicella.