Get a Red Nose

Last few days to stock up on Wine Relief wines! It's Red Nose Day on Friday.

As I hope you know by now, I am extremely wary about endorsing specific wines – and generally run a mile if someone tries to take a photograph of me holding a bottle.

However, as you can see, I am prepared to make an exception for Red Nose Red and Red Nose White, a pair of great-value South African wines currently on sale in most of Britain's major retailers at just £4.99 because £1 for every bottle sold goes straight to Comic Relief.

Despite the jokes and sometimes groan-worthy japes, Comic Relief is one of the most admirable charities I have come across. Every penny raised goes straight to their long-term projects in Africa and the UK designed to help people make their lives better. They select these projects with extreme care, and then oversee them with equal diligence.  

So, should you be interested in a Pinotage/Shiraz and a Chenin Blanc that cost £4.99 but taste more like £5.99-worth (both selected jointly by me and fellow Master of Wine scribe Tim Atkin of The Observer, pictured here), please stock up now. Both these wines should be fine for serving at summer parties, and have screwcaps for easy handling, so buy in quantity, knowing that you are also giving generously.