A smooth, expressive red wine from the Douro, Portugal

Feuerheerd Reserva Douro 2020 (Portugal)

Though this wine comes in a bottle wrapped in thick grey paper and has a label tied round the neck with string, don’t be misled by the gimmicky packaging!

The Feuerheerd Reserva Douro 2020 is an expressive red wine, aged in carefully selected old oak barrels, and is a very good example of the high-quality, good value red wines produced by Feuerheerd, a renowned Port producer.

A blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz grape varieties, the wine is a smooth, elegant, well-balanced wine with medium tannin, medium acidity and a long, silky finish.

With plum, cherry and vanilla on the nose, and blackberry, chocolate, liquorice and a touch of spice on the palate, this is an excellent match for a grilled or roast meat dish, or with roasted vegetables. It will also go well with a strong cheese.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£11)

A smooth, well-balanced Shiraz from New South Wales

PepperBox Shiraz, 2020 (Southeastern Australia)

Having recently tried the PepperBox Chardonnay from the Casella winery in New South Wales, I was keen to try other wines from the winery and I was very impressed with this Shiraz.

Deep ruby in colour, this rich, well-balanced PepperBox Shiraz is very good value for money. With blackberry, cherry and plum on the nose, and black fruits, chocolate and tobacco, with a hint of spice on the palate, this is a smooth wine with plenty of character, medium tannin and acidity, and a lengthy finish.

Perfect for a Sunday roast, with grilled meats, or roasted vegetables.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£9)

A smooth, enticing blend from the Kent Downs

Meopham Valley Vineyard Union Red 2022 (Kent)

This smooth red wine from Meopham Valley Vineyard in the North Kent Downs is a blend of Pinot Noir, Regent, Triomphe and Léon Millot grape varieties.

Aromas of bramble, cherry and blackberry on the nose lead to flavours of black fruits, chocolate and coffee on the palate, and the nine months’ oak barrel ageing gives a hint of spice and smokiness.

A well-balanced wine with medium acidity and medium tannins, this is a very appealing wine that can be enjoyed by itself or with a warming autumn casserole.

Available from Grape Britannia (£15.99)

A rich, flavourful Chardonnay from SE Australia

PepperBox Chardonnay 2022 (South Eastern Australia)

Though an oaked Chardonnay may not be to everyone’s taste, this PepperBox Chardonnay from the Casella winery in New South Wales, is a very good wine.

With pineapple, mango and vanilla aromas on the nose, and tropical fruits on the palate, this is a wine with plenty of character, a creamy mouthfeel, and a smooth buttery finish.

It can be enjoyed by itself, or with a seafood or poultry dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£9)

A refreshing Grüner Veltliner from Hungary

Little Cricket Grüner Veltliner 2021 (Hungary)

Though Grüner Veltliner is perhaps best known as Austria’s signature grape, this very good wine from neighbouring Hungary is a fine example of this grape variety.

This is a refreshing, crisp wine with aromas of green apple and pear on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon, citrus fruits and a hint of pepper on the palate. A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this is a very agreeable wine to drink by itself, or as an ideal match for a salad or seafood dish. It will also go well with a slightly spicy Asian dish.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£8.99)

A refreshing, aromatic Bacchus from Kent

Chapel Down Bacchus 2022 (Kent)

First established as a vineyard in 1977, Chapel Down in Kent has since undergone a number of iterations to become one of England’s leading wine producers.

An aromatic wine with notes of melon and citrus on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon and grapefruit on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing and well-balanced wine with a long finish.

Enjoy by itself or with seafood, salad or Thai food. It also pairs well with Wensleydale cheese. If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, why not give Bacchus a try!

Available from Grape Britannia (£16.99)

Wine of the Month – another outstanding wine from Gutter & Stars! A real treat for the palate …

Gutter & Stars ‘Fight the Power’ Ortega 2022

This is another outstanding wine from Cambridge’s urban winery, Gutter & Stars. Made from 100% Ortega grapes grown at Yew Tree Vineyard in Oxfordshire, the wine was fermented in oak barrels before further ageing on the lees.

The result is a perfectly balanced, inviting wine with a velvety mouthfeel and a lengthy finish. It is, quite simply, a real pleasure to drink!

With honeysuckle, peach, and pear drops on the nose, and peach and citrus fruit flavours on the palate, this is a wonderful expression of the Ortega grape. Enjoy it as an apéritif, or with a seafood, chicken or vegetable dish.

Available from Gutter & Stars and Grape Britannia (£25-£30)

Crossword clue …

Wine in inn Poirot ordered (5,4).

Answer: Pinot Noir

Zana Pinot Noir 2021 (Romania)

This refreshing and easy-drinking Romanian Pinot Noir, which won Gold in the 2022 Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge Awards, is very good value for money. Produced by Cramele Recas, Romania’s largest wine exporter, the wine has cherry, strawberry and plum notes on the nose which lead through to the palate, with a touch of spiciness on the finish.

A smooth wine with medium tannin and medium acidity, it is an ideal match for cold meats or duck, and can also be enjoyed by itself.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.25)

A delightful GSM blend from the Rhône Valley

Domaine Gramiller Rasteau 2020 (Southern Rhône)

This wine from Domaine Gramiller in the Southern Rhône is a blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (20%) grape varieties. It is a smooth and elegant full-bodied wine with medium tannins, medium acidity and a lengthy finish.

With aromas of plum, blackberry and the herbs of its native garrigue on the nose leading to flavours of plum, cassis and liquorice on the palate, this is a well-balanced wine which can be paired with a grilled or roasted meat dish, or with roasted vegetables.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£15.99)