Jose is our resident wine enthusiast and has kindly agreed to try lots of wines and give you his opinions. Jose tells it exactly like it is so good or bad Jose will leave you in no doubt as to what he thinks.

Lots of candid reviews of what Jose ate, drank and watched last week all wines are given a score out of 100.

What Jose tasted in Paris last week...

A little detour, these are some wines that I had in 4 days in Paris during my mate's stag do which took in the France-England rugby, so while it's fresh in mind, here are my comments.

CDomaine de l'Arlot Côte de Nuits Villages Clos du Chapeau 2002. (Pinot Noir) We'd had a few pre-dinner beers and vodka-tonics before descending on a charming restaurant for dinner. A couple of glasses of champagne, a little white sauvignon with the starters and then this charming red won the day. We all enthused about its red berry flavour and its mouth-coating tannin. A lovely burgundy for the groom's celebration (so much celebrating in fact that said groom didn't make it to the main dish and was gracefully retired to bed, to drink another day). I loved this red which went a treat with my tender, well aged, cote de bouef. In a Parisian restaurant it probably cost us a bit of a wad, but I expect you can find it at about £19.

My rating 85

Chinon , Charles Joguet, 2006. (Cabernet Franc) - I think it may have been the Clos de la Dioterie, but truthfully I don't remember - clearly, I was not as sober as I thought - I need to do better for you kind readers. Over lunch we started with Bollinger « Spéciale Cuvée » champagne (good dealson the internet at about €45)  . Always a great choice as far as I'm concerned and my choice at home whenever the bank manager (aka wife) lets me. The Joguet Domain was chosen by our celebrating groom as it was well known to him. A deep ruby colour with a fruity bouquet, it was well appreciated by all sufficiently to quaff a couple more bottles. I drank it with  Traditional "cocotte" eggs (egg poached in a sauce of marrow and sliced bacon in red wine sauce). A dish I've never mastered. Now, I agree with all who say that egg feels unusual and can even be unpalatable with tannic reds and , though this time it was fine, I should have stayed with the champagne . And I continued to drink it with my main course of  Filet of sea bass, steamed fennel and sauce vierge  (olive oil, lemon juice, basil, chives, parsley). Again, although it was fine, especially as I ate bread throughout, I didn't do the wine justice. I proved this when after the main course I drank it without the distraction of the food and it was superb. It's OK to break a few rules, but there'll be mistakes-  you've been warned. I expect you could find this at about £12-£15.

My rating 82

On returning home I had this M&S offering.

Crozes Hermitage 2007,  Marks & Spencer  by Cave de Tain l'Hermitage. (Syrah) A medium-bodied northern Rhone red ,rich, spicy,fruity.  The selection now offered by M&S continues to improve. At this price I'll buy it regularly as a standard stand-by. Good with roasts, lamb chops, beef steakand stews. A very good price at M&S for a case of six: £6.74 a bottle. Otherwise, bought singly  £8.99 per bottle.

My rating 72

I'm reminded that the groom friend loves the Cornas from this region, so I'll try a couple soon and report back.

All the above would be good company for this easy rice and chicken dish - see Jose's Spanish Chicken and Rice Recipe.