It Must Be Wine O'clock

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)

A delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California

A delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California.

Dark Horse Chardonnay 2021 (California)

This is a delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California. It is a rich, mellow wine with aromas of vanilla, peach and pear on the nose, and flavours of honey, nectarine and caramel on the palate.

The rich, buttery mouthfeel is nicely balanced by the wine’s crisp acidity, all leading to a smooth, lingering finish, and the oak ageing adds a hint of smokiness to the wine.

Enjoy by itself or with a creamy seafood or chicken dish, or a mushroom risotto. It will also pair well with a creamy curry, or a mild goat cheese.

Available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose (£9-£10)

A light and refreshing blend of Orange Muscat and Flora

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora (Australia)

Add together 80% Orange Muscat and 20% Flora (a crossing of Gewürztraminer and Sémillon grapes) and the result is this delightful Orange Muscat & Flora blend from Brown Brothers in Australia.

With aromas of orange blossom, honey and citrus notes on the nose, and flavours of lemon, honey and apricot on the palate, this is a light, refreshing and well-balanced wine.

A well-rounded wine with a smooth mouthfeel and a clean fresh finish, this is a great match for fruity desserts or a blue cheese.

Available from Tesco (£8.50, half bottle)

A light-bodied, easy-drinking Gavi from Piemonte

Vallade Gavi DOCG 2022 (Piemonte)

Produced from Cortese grapes grown in the Piemonte region of north-west Italy, this Gavi is a well-balanced, light-bodied, easy-drinking wine.

With light floral aromas of blossom and peachy notes on the nose, and flavours of green apple, pear and a hint of almond on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing wine with medium acidity.

You can enjoy this by itself or as a pairing with white fish, chicken or light pasta dish.

Available from Tesco (£10)

A new discovery from Italy

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Discovery, Verdeca 2022 (Puglia)

This dry white Verdeca made from grapes grown in Puglia in the heel of Italy is part of Sainsbury’s new Discovery selection. Although the grape variety is not very well-known, it is an interesting aromatic wine to explore.

With rose blossom, honey and citrus notes on the nose, and flavours of lemon and peach on the palate, this is a refreshing wine with a smooth, rich, almost buttery, mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

This is a very good value wine which is perfect as an apéritif and also pairs well with a seafood, chicken or creamy pasta dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.50)

A very appealing white wine from Campania

The Society’s Falanghina 2022 (Campania)

Falanghina is an ancient white wine grape variety from Campania in southern Italy, which typically has flavours of orange peel and citrus fruits. This Falanghina from the Wine Society is a crisp, refreshing wine with an attractive tanginess and flavours of citrus and nectarine.

A dry, medium-bodied wine with a pleasantly long finish, this can be enjoyed as an apéritif or with a seafood dish, such as garlic prawns, swordfish or a seafood salad. It will also go well with a creamy pasta dish.

Available from The Wine Society (£9.25)

An appealing blend from the Black Country

Halfpenny Green Penny Red 2022 (Staffordshire)

This very appealing red wine from Halfpenny Green Wine Estate in the heart of the Black Country in the West Midlands is a fine example of a wine produced by one of the country’s largest vineyards.

Established in 1983, Halfpenny Green benefits from well-sheltered south-facing slopes and light, sandy free-draining soil to grow a wide variety of grapes.

The Penny Red is a blend of Rondo, Regent, Triomphe d’Alsace, and Divico grape varieties. A smooth, velvety, well-balanced wine with soft tannins and a long finish, it has aromas of bramble, plum and blackcurrant, and flavours of forest fruits and cherry.

A wine to enjoy by itself, with grilled meats or vegetables, or with cheese.

Available from Grape Britannia (£12.99)

A great value wine from Languedoc-Roussillon

Saint-Chinian, Domaine Raynier 2022 (Southern France)

This very pleasant Saint-Chinian wine from The Wine Society offers excellent value for money. The wine is produced from grapes grown in the vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France, at the southern end of the Massif Central and just 20 miles from the coast. This enables the grapes to benefit from long, hot summers and mild winters, resulting in a smooth, rich, full-bodied wine.

A blend of Grenache and Syrah grapes, this is a dry wine with medium acidity and medium tannins. Herby aromas of the garrigue together with plum and blackberries on the nose lead to a palate of vibrant black fruits, with liquorice and a hint of spice, and a lingering finish.

A wine to enjoy by itself or with food. It’s a very good match for lamb, or a casserole.

Available from The Wine Society (£7.50)