It Must Be Wine O'clock

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)

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)