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A light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde wine from the west coast of Portugal

A light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde from the west coast of Portugal

Atlantique Vinho Verde 2023 (Portugal)

Portugal has a number of indigenous grape varieties which make it an interesting wine region to explore. This light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde wine from the west coast of Portugal is a case in point. It’s a blend of Loureira, Arinto, Treixadura and Avesso grapes and has a slight sparkling sensation that enhances its freshness.

Pale lemon in colour, with lemon and green apple on the nose and lemon, pear, peach and a hint of honey on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing wine with a mineral note on the finish.

Perfect by itself on a sunny afternoon, or paired with fish, other seafood dishes or salads.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.25)

A bright, fresh wine from Western Sicily

A bright fresh wine from Western Sicily

Isola della Fiamma, Grillo 2023 (Sicily, Italy)

A bright, fresh wine from Western Sicily, produced from a blend of Grillo (80%) and Zibibbo (20%) grape varieties, combining the crisp, citrus flavours of the former with the more floral attributes of the latter.

With fresh, fragrant aromas of orange-blossom, almond and peach on the nose and flavours of citrus fruit, honey, peach and apricot on the palate, this is a wine with refreshing acidity, a round mouthfeel and a lingering finish that offers very good value for money.

A wine that can be enjoyed by itself, or as an excellent match for salads, or a seafood or chicken dish.

Available from The Wine Society (£7.50)

A well-balanced wine with a lingering, herby finish …

Cru des Côtes du Rhône Vinsobres 2021 (Southern Rhône)

Situated at the northern tip of the southern Rhône, where the grapes benefit from mountain breezes and cool summer nights, Vinsobres, one of the seventeen ‘crus’ of the Rhône valley, produces fresh, smooth, fruity wines with notes of garrigue.

This is a full-bodied wine with aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, leading to blackberry, cassis, liquorice and chocolate on the palate. A blend of Syrah and Grenache grape varieties, it is a well-balanced wine with a lingering, herby finish.

A perfect match for a Sunday roast, grilled meats or with ripe cheeses.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£12)

A delightful Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley

Saumur Rouge ‘Les Plantagenêts’ Cabernet Franc 2022 (Loire Valley)

The Loire Valley offers a hugely diverse range of wines, red, white and rosé, and each of the four sub-regions along the length of the river are subject to different climatic influences which are reflected in the wine styles, but overall the Loire Valley has a cool climate.

Cabernet Franc is well suited to the Loire since it flowers and ripens early, and this wine from The Wine Society is a very good example of the light-medium bodied, fruity and flavourful wines typical of Saumur.

With herbal notes, strawberry and cherry on the nose, and blackcurrant and a hint of spice on the palate, this is a balanced wine with medium tannins and acidity.

A wine to enjoy by itself or with grilled / roasted meats or vegetables. It will also go well with cold cuts or soft cheeses.

Available from The Wine So ciety (£9.25)

A perfect summer wine …

The Society’s Exhibition Santorini Assyrtiko 2021 (Greece)

Santorini, a windswept volcanic island in the Aegean, is particularly known for its dry white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape variety and this example from the Wine Society displays the perfumed aromas and concentrated flavours of citrus and stone fruits for which the grape is renowned.

A full-bodied, smooth wine with rose blossom and citrus on the nose, and citrus and peach on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing wine with high acidity and a lingering finish. A well-deserving Silver Award winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023.

Enjoy it as an aperitif with a few olives, or as a perfect pairing for a fish or chicken dish, or a Greek salad.

Available from The W ine Society (£17.50)

Looking for something different? Try this Grüner Veltliner from Austria …

Funkstille Grüner Veltliner, Niederösterreich 2023 (Austria)

Grüner Veltliner is the most widely-planted native grape variety grown in Austria, particularly in Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) and Burgenland, and typically a Grüner Veltliner wine is crisp and fresh, thanks to its naturally high acidity.

A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this Funkstille Grüner Veltliner has aromas of green apple, grapefruit and pear on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon, and citrus fruits on the palate. It’s a very pleasant wine to drink by itself, or as an ideal match for a salad or seafood dish. It will also pair perfectly with a Wiener Schnitzel!

Available from Cambridge Wine Merch ants (£14)

A refreshing Pinot Grigio from Trentino

Rocca Murer Pinot Grigio, Trentino 2022 (Italy)

Located in the foothills of the Alps in northern Italy, the Trentino region benefits from a moderate climate with dry summers and low rainfall. Pinot Grigio is one of the two main grape varieties, together with Chardonnay, that are grown in this region.

Pinot Grigio from Trentino tends to have greater depth of flavour than the mass-produced wines of the Veneto region and this wine is a smooth, elegant and well-balanced wine with refreshing acidity and a lasting finish.

With aromas of white blossom on the nose and flavours of apple, peach and apricot on the palate, this is a very good value wine which can be enjoyed by itself or with fish, salad or a light pasta dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.25)

A refreshing Riesling from the banks of the Mosel

Max Ferd. Richter Estate Riesling 2022, Mosel (Germany)

With honeysuckle, jasmine and apple on the nose, and apple, gooseberry, pear and a hint of honey on the palate, this refreshing Riesling from vineyards along the Mosel demonstrates excellent quality and value.

The residual sugar and fruity acidity are well-balanced and the wine has a clean, lingering finish.

It is a wine that can be enjoyed as a refreshing apéritif or with seafood, chicken or a salad dish. It will also go well with Asian cuisine.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£15.99)

A very good value Malagousia from Greece …

G & L Malagousia 2023 (Greece)

An aromatic grape variety from Greece, Malagousia is known for its citrus and peach aromas, and stone fruit flavours. Grown from grapes cultivated at an altitude of 700m in the mountainous Aegialia region in the Peloponnese, this is a good introduction to the variety and very good value for money.

With lemon, apple and peach on the nose, and citrus, apple and peach on the palate, this is a well-balanced wine with a lively acidity and a lingering finish.

Try it as an apéritif with some olives, or as a pairing with chicken or fish. It’s also a perfect match for a Greek salad.

Available from The Wine Society (£8.95)