THE refreshing semi-sparkling wine based-drink Lambrini is now available in a magnum sized bottle for just £2.49. The party sized bottle is on sale at off-licences and supermarkets alongside the 75cl bottle, priced at £1.49.

SICILY'S wonderful climate is producing an increasing number of fresh and fruity wines.

The latest additions to Morrisons' Italian range, Rapitala Nero D'avola and Rapitala Catarratto -- Chardonnay, are no exception. The Nero D'avola is a ruby red wine, deep in colour and with an intense fruity, balanced flavour. The Catarratto and Chardonnay is a fruity, elegant wine with a refreshing touch of acidity.

Both wines are priced at £4.99.

WHEN it comes to choosing champagne, high prices are no guarantee for "lovely bubbly" according to a Which? report.

Which? asked the major supermarkets and off-licence chains to nominate two champagnes from their lists and one sparkling wine which could come from anywhere in the world except the champagne region. Which? experts were presented with 32 varieties plus three well-known names: Bollinger, Moet and Chandon, and Veuve Clicquot. And top of the "blind" tasting came one of the cheapest champagnes -- Tesco's Premier Cru Champagne Brut NV (non-vintage), priced at £12.99.

SUPERMARKET own brand wines are increasingly popular, according to Somerfield's wine buyer, Angela Mount."Other trends include sales of red wine outpacing its white counterparts. There has also been considerable growth in sparkling wine and Champagne and more people are choosing from the £4.50 to £6 price range," she says.

Somerfield is currently reducing the prices of two of its popular winter reds. The Somerfield Vina Cana Rioja Crianza 1999 is a smooth, mellow red, full of ripe strawberry and vanilla oak flavours. It has been reduced from £5.99 to £4.99 until February 11. Also on offer is the Somerfield Pergola Tempranillo 2001 -- a vibrant, full-flavoured wine with a warm, smoky finish. The offer is to buy two for £6, usual price is £4.29 each.