A well-balanced, barrel-fermented Rioja with a creamy mouthfeel and a lingering finish

This barrel-fermented Rioja is produced from Viura grapes and is a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with a creamy mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

Cune Barrel Fermented Rioja 2021 (Spain)

While Rioja is deservedly well-regarded for its red wines, White Rioja is generally less well-known, and fewer than 10% of plantings in the Rioja region are white grape varieties. This barrel-fermented Rioja is produced from Viura grapes and is a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with a creamy mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

A complex wine, with aromas of lemon, peach and vanilla on the nose and flavours of citrus fruits, peach, melon, and a hint of toastiness and spice on the palate, this is a very good example of a modern White Rioja.

Enjoy by itself or paired with cold cuts, grilled fish, a chicken or vegetable dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s, Waitrose (£11)

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 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 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)

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 refreshing Italian white wine for a snip …

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2022 (Italy)

A dry white wine with crisp acidity from the Marche region of central Italy, this Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi wine is a very good example of the fresh, zesty wines from the Verdicchio grape.

Aromas of pear, citrus and honey on the nose lead to flavours of pear, lemon and a faint note of almond on the palate, with a long mineral finish. This is a very good value wine which is perfect as a refreshing aperitif and also pairs well with a seafood dish. A perfect accompaniment to grilled salmon and spaghetti al limone!

Available from Co-op (£7)