Located around 30 miles south-west of Montpellier in the Languedoc-Rousillon region, the Cotes de Thongue isn't the obvious place to make Pinot Noir. However, the Moulin Montarels Pinot Noir thrives against adversity, providing cherry and raspberry fruit with medium body and a little structural tannin. Comes into its own with rump steak or lamb.

A great example of balance and finesse in a Nero d'Avola - a grape variety best known for its power and concentration of flavour. This Sicilian red has a nose of blackcurrant and menthol and delivers deep warm berry fruit with hints of spice and ripe tannins.

The Zuccardi family are leading the charge to create fantastic, good quality and good value wine in Argentina. Bonarda is often forgotten behind Malbec but can create hugely impressive wines. The Serie A Bonarda has a blueberry and blackberry nose and is a full-bodied wine packed with ripe plum fruits, culminating in a soft finish.

Lucky Horseshoe Merlot comes from the Hayes Ranch in Livermore in the North Central Coast region of California. The warm days, cool nights and extended growing season allows the development of ripe, rounded fruit flavours. The wine is 85% Merlot, 15% Petit Sirah and exhibits hints of spice and berries, plum and bramble. A smooth, long fruit finish caps a delicious drink. An ideal partner for beef, pork, pasta sauces or hard cheese but fantastic for drinking on its own.

An expertly made white Rioja! The oaking has made this richer and fuller with a creamy vanilla edge to the rounded, fresh fruit.

A spicy, fashionable white from the Languedoc. Good palate weight and intensity - great value and a wonderful match for a plate of oysters..

Off-dry in style and showing peach and mango characters this pinot blanc is a belter. Try with scallops and mango dressing for a real treat!

A ripe and mouth-filling blend of Grecanico and Fiano (native to the south of Italy) with Chardonnay and Viognier creating an aromatic but very concentrated white free of any oak. It takes on Antipasti and wins and for a modest 12% alcohol packs a massive flavour punch. Made by the Planeta family, who are largely responsible for the renaissance of fine wine making in Sicily.

From the iconic Mas De Dumas Gassac comes this amazing little white. Despite its modest price this great blend of Marsanne and Viognier shows real class and structure.

A delicious Gamay from Touraine in the Loire Valley. Bursting with red fruit, there are initially spicy and herbaceous characters which give way to delicate red fruit and a hint of peppermint. A Gamay to challenge Beaujolais.

This truly is a unique wine - a rose blend of Malbec and Torrontes from Argentina. The blend is exactly the same as the popular Malbrontes with 95% Malbec and 5% Torrontes but the Malbec is given a short soak on the skins then racked off for fermentation. The result is a delicious strawberry-driven wine, which is also dry and refreshing. Works best as an apperitif or as a summer picnic wine.

A lighter weight Malbec (with a dash of the white grape Torrontes) making a perfect drink for warmer evenings. Serve this lovely dark berry fruit wine slightly chilled.

Once you head south of Rome Italian red wines start to reflect the warmth of the south with softer riper earthy dark fruits and a warm spicy quality. Primitivo (aka Zinfandel in the States) is a lovely grape giving dark damson and blackberry scented wines with a very silky texture and often high alcohol levels. Here in the heel of Italy no one is far from cooling sea breezes and this helps to retain freshness and balance in the wine.

A superb, affordable Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, batch blended using selected parcels of fruit from the Wairau and Awatere Valleys by internationally renowned winemaker Alan McCorkindale. The wine is juciy, vibrant and fruit-driven with a tangy mineral core. It's ideal for drinking on its own or with seafood or white meat.

An exciting Portuguese red made with several local grape varieties: Tinta Roriz, Touriga Francesa, Tinta Barroca, Tinto Francesa and Touriga Francesa. The wine is a dark colour with a nose of plums and ripe stone fruit. While full-bodied with a good tannic structure, it's a very approachable red. A long spicy fruit finish.

Lightweight and fresh Pinot Noir great for summer drinking. Ideal just a little chilled with salmon, chicken or goats cheese. Made by the Buxy co-operative based in Montagny.