This month's blog practically writes itself, give or take. Thanks to my generous friends, since Christmas I have just been drinking their thoughtful wine gifts. So I can simply, metaphorically at least, share these with you .But please don't judge me too harshly for not going out and helping out our depressed economy by buying my own beverage. I will run out of supplies all too soon.

First, a great find. Youngest son has just moved into a mini-jungle with a few rooms attached in darkest Hertfordshire. After the grand tour he and his lovely Fin took us to lunch at a wonderful local country gastro-pub (worth a visit, The Alford Arms nr. Hemel Hempstead). Super food was accompanied by an interesting wine list with more than, to us, a few unknown wines. We decided on one we'd never tasted before because we were intrigued by the name "Cien y Pico Doble Pasta, 2008" Red. (from the Spanish meaning a hundred and a bit). We didn't expect much, particularly as it was reasonably priced. At first tasting we both thought it a pinot noir, and a lovely wine at that. As it turned out, it is made by an Australian , his Bulgarian wife , a Spaniard and an Italian from 100 year old vines (hence the 'hundred and something' name) of the local grape, the Garnacha Tintorera, supposedly a cross of Garnacha (Grenache) and Petit Bouschet, in the Manchuela , Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, home to Don Quixote. Hints of berries and cherries, fruit concentration and a long finish. A stick-in-the-mud reactionary like me flinched at the screw top which I know is a silly prejudice (a bit like criticising women football referees). As for the label, I'd say it's quite Quixotic. One commentator says "first you see a bright yellow/orange screw-cap, topping an idiosyncratic label (as Zar ,the Australian partner, puts it "a little homage to Spanish and New York taxi cabs meets Cohiba Cuban cigars"). I have found it at http://www.coodencellars.co.uk at £10.99. A steal of a wine, try some. My rating 88.

And so on to Father Christmas, aka Papa Noel. From dear Steve it was a Sonoma-Cutrer, Sonoma coast, 2006 pinot noir, from Windsor, California, USA. Red. I tend to be overly critical of US wines and their modern methods but that's not to say there aren't some excellent US wines. One just needs to be a little picky to find the gems. Well, this one was new to me and I was pleasantly surprised. Medium body with a typical pinot noir aroma reminiscent of black cherry, raspberry and currant.  Various oenologists and sommeliers speak of pinot noir as "the most romantic of wines, with so voluptuous a perfume, so sweet an edge, and so powerful a punch that, like falling in love, they make the blood run hot and the soul wax embarrassingly poetic" , "sex in a glass" and "a seductive yet fickle mistress!". I'm sure that my teetotal wife couldn't possibly object if I help myself to a bit of that! A wine I certainly recommend, though it's not easy to find. I found it online at everywine.co.uk for £23.27. My rating 85.

From my lovely neighbour Dawn I received a lovely pinot blanc, Weingut Bercher, Burkheimer Feuerberg Weißburgunder Spätlese trocken, Großes Gewächs, 2004.White. Again a new wine for me (I love writing this blog; I'm obliged to drink new wines!). A full-bodied dry white wine (14.5%). A nose of the classic pinot blanc: melon, salted almonds, biscuit and, as you drink it, it gets more complex tastes. Don't be fooled, this is a powerful wine - some may find it a little heavy - but matched with strong food it's a delight. I thoroughly enjoyed. Again, difficult to find (the 2008 is easier) but it retails at about £7.50. That's a good price for a good wine. My rating 85.

As I read this, I find it's all pinot this and pinot that so far. Let's see what else there was.

Well , still staying within the Burgundy region grape-types, a friend dropped in several bottles of a simple, straight-forward, easy-drinking Chablis from Union des Viticulteurs de Chablis , 2007. White. I've had this before as it's a staple in my cellar. Apple fruit and citrus flavours and classic mineral finish. Served chilled either as an aperitif or with tapas, light meals or white fish, it's n easy choice. Tesco has it at £7.11 in a case of 6. My rating 80.

Eldest son brought me Rioja Castillo Labastida, Manuel Quintano 2006. Red. 100% tempranillo, gently-oaked, aged for 12 months in American oak. Deep red colour, spice and black cherry, ripe tannin. He must have remembered I'd enthused about it in the past. Sensible lad, remembering what gets Dad in a good mood. Now, son, you won't be looking for a loan anytime soon, will you? (about £8). My rating 85.

Driving said son home one evening, after our good deed in visiting a family member in hospital, we stopped for a casual meal at an Italian trattoria. I was driving, so would have just one glass of wine with the meal. My sensible, conscientious son decided likewise so as not to lead me astray. We chose our food and asked the waiter if he had Chianti Classico by the glass. " No, he says, but there is a Chianti". He looked a bit out of Fawlty Towers .We said "OK, that will do fine, two glasses please". He stopped by again to announce there was no Chianti by the glass after all, but that he had a Valpolicella. Once again we said "OK, two glasses of that please". He then arrives with a half bottle of Merlot Corvina Veneto Le Poesie (Cantina di Soave) 2009. Red! We fell about .Enough of this, OK, pour it. And what a lovely surprise. With a dry flavour, a deep ruby red colour, bouquet of blackberry. There was no denying the appeal. Hints of dark berry fruit and finished with the velvety soft texture of merlot. Perfect with the Italian fare on offer. And surprise, the waiter turned out to be intelligent, funny, attentive and interesting. Must have been having a laugh on us, winding us up? Maybe. It's on at www.everywine.co.uk at £7.40. My rating 80.

One step below the mainstream 'Denominación de Origen' (the Spanish wine quality ladder) is 'Vino de la Tierra' (wine of the land) one of which is in Castilla. One of my visitors during the holidays brought me a variety of wines amongst which was a Syrah Altillo, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla. Bright cherry colour, with a tinge of purple. Quite a greedy nose with hints of milkyness. On the palate fleshy, agreeable and with a strong aftertaste. All in all, it took a couple of sips to get into it. I can't say it was wonderful, but certainly drinkable and with a variety of nibbles to hand, not too bad a drink. Difficult to find. It's one you pick up locally and bring home as a souvenir/reminder. My rating 78.

Two wines from the same region.  Ribera del Duero, Val de Oron, 2006. 100% Tempranillo. A full bodied classic Ribera del Duero. Another wine I've had before. A lovely inexpensive example of this trendy wine region. Classy fruity oak-aged red. A bargain at £8.50. My rating 80.

Abadia Mantrus Ribera del Duero Reserva 2004. Same region as before but a totally different wine. Missing class, I'd say treat this as a simple table wine (never mind the Reserva tag). But there are a lot of better Ribera del Duero. Widely available in Spanish supermarkets at about €5.50. So if you find yourself in Spain, go ahead its drinkable. I can't find it in the UK, where it'd probably sell for about £4.50 but not worth seeking it out.

Got a surprise gift for my birthday from my good friend Fran. A mixed case of carefully selected wine for yours truly's delight. Getting through it slowly (we are in difficult economic times, after all - news just out our economy shrank 0.5%) and I will report soon. I'm really looking forward to it.