Far be it from me to let politics creep into this column, but Labour MP Tom Watson gets my vote.

If only because he has had a great idea to help with the coalition Government’s austerity drive.

The Right Honourable gentleman for West Bromwich East, has gone to some effort to secure a list of wines in the Government’s cellars. He is now urging a sale of the most valuable of these bottles, to help ease the deficit.

In the upper echelons of the list are a Château Latour 1955 valued around £1,000 and a 1978 Petrus worth £2,500. Ministers aren’t expected to skimp on the fizz either, there are magnums of Krug 1982 which are also logged in the list of wines used for receptions and state dinners.

Mr Watson said: “They should sell the good stuff to make ends meet. As the economy heads back into recession nobody will seriously believe that we are all in this together when ministers are quaffing wines at £200 a bottle.”

Hear, hear to that, I say.

Of course stocks will need replenishing, after any such sale. Here are some of my suggestions of more modestly priced bottles to help the Government cut the cloth accordingly.

The St Hallett Winery in the Barossa region of Oz, famous for Old Block Shiraz, also produces an ever so reliable, entry level red and white. Each is a very appealing but somewhat quirky cuvée. There’s a third off the duo at The Cooperative until February 8.

St Hallett Poacher’s Blend 2009 is the white, made from semillon, sauvinon blanc and riesling. Dry and refreshingly clean tasting, it’s packed with zesty citrus and tropical fruit, lemon grass and a touch of kerosene from the Eden Valley riesling component of the blend.

In the red corner, St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve 2009 is a spicy, smoky, mix of shiraz, grenache and the excellent Portuguese varietal, touriga nacional. It’s unoaked but certainly not lacking guts and character. Brambles, violet, black pepper and liquorice abound with some mouth filling tannins.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2009 is good value too. It’s made for the supermarket by the Montes winery in Chile. Smooth, with toasted oak, raspberries, spices and liquorice, it’s even better for half an hour in the fridge before serving.

St Hallett Poacher’s Blend 2009, £5.99 down from £8.99, until February 8 at The Cooperative 17/20.

St Hallett Gamekeeper’s Reserve 2009, £5.99 down from £8.99, until February 8 at The Cooperative 17/20.

Taste The Difference Casablanca Valley Pinot Noir 2009. £7.99 at Sainsbury’s 17/20.