Wine doesn’t make women fat. That is if you believe the findings of a report in the headlines this week.

It seems Henry Sambrooke Leigh was spot on when he wrote: “If you wish to grow thinner, diminish your dinner, and take to light claret instead of pale ale.”

The research, from across the Pond, suggests that women who drink moderately gain less weight than teetotallers.

It appears that those drinkers who favour a drop of red have made the best choice, as it is associated with the lowest weight gain.

The study only involved women, so there is no evidence as yet that men reap the same benefits.

Of course, it is only appropriate that I list some “slimming aid” recommendations for female readers, such as the following three reds.

South African winemaker Adi Badenhorst has recently launched his own label, AA Badenhorst Family Wines, having previously worked for Rustenberg winery.

Try his wild, earthy blend of shiraz, cabernet, pinotage, merlot, carignan, cinsault and grenache, Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Red 2007.

Packed full of brambles, berries, black pepper and dark chocolate notes, held together by sprightly tannins, Secateurs is a snip at the price.

Field and Fawcett, at Grimston Bar, York, list Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 which, like many Argentinian wines, offers good value for money.

This textbook cabernet, from Mendoza, touts blackcurrant fruit, with vanilla, coffee, mint, firm tannins and quite a long finish.

I find the wines of the Mont Tauch co-operative in the Languedoc to be of a consistently high standard, but one has surpassed all my expectations: Mont Tauch L’Exception 2006 lives up to its name – it is exceptional!

A blend of carignan, grenache and syrah, from hillside vineyards around the villages of Tuchan and Paziols at the heart of the Fitou appellation, it is full, powerful and spicy.

Blackberry and cherry fruit abound, with garrigue herbs, polished, toasty oak and structure from supple tannins. This is a very classy stuff for the money and tastes like a wine costing twice as much.

• Badenhorst Family Wines Secateurs Red 2007, £9.99, The Oxford Wine Company (oxfordwine.co.uk) 18/20.

• Pascual Toso Cabernet Sauvignon 2007, £7.95 at Field and Fawcett 17/20.

• Mont Tauch L’Exception 2006, Fitou, £10.99 at Majestic 19/20.