A very elegant Chardonnay from the Pesquie team with a bit of stone fruit and citrus flavour, a light creamy mouth-feel but with good freshness and length of flavour – even in as warm a year as this. The wine sees no oak at all. It’s a most enjoyable glass of wine all on its own but would be a good a match for a Parmesan risotto or ravioli with spinach and ricotta.

A very serious Cape Rosé. Beautifully dry, but firm with an evocative herby character. Elegant fresh red fruit flavours allow for immediate appeal. The pale onion-skin colour is reminiscent of a typical Blanc de Noir from the South of France. '...there are some dreadfully dreary roses around at the moment. Thankfully, here's one that is more than just a pretty face. Dry and rich, with herby, even pine-like notes to the gentle juicy citrus and raspberry flavours and a taut pithy finish, it cries out for seafood' Simon Woods, Wine and Spirit Magazine, June 2008.

This is an absolute thumper! Dusted cocoa and smooth coffee on the nose and palate but chewy mouth filling tannins to boot! Perfect for a big rump steak.

A mellow Merlot from a family-owned estate in Chile. Intense aromas of blackberry and cherry foreshadow a balanced palate of deep dark berry fruit with hints of cassis, mint and pepper. Something of a grown-up Merlot with a smooth drinkability.

Bierzo is a small, inland, hilly region in the north west of Spain and home to the Mencia grape. The wine maker here, Raul Perez, consults for other wineries elsewhere in Spain but this is his home turf. Mencia is beginning to become better known beyond Bierzo itself within Spain and now outside Spain too. Typically the grape produces wines full flavours of juicy fresh red currant and sweet cherries. The joven or young style is usually un-oaked to keep the grape’s exuberant crisp fruit to the fore.

100% Cortese from Piemonte. Crisp, spicy and with a nice mineral edge - a steal of Gavi and a perfect antidote to insipid pinot grigio!

A big, fat blend of Cab Sauv and Carmenere. The Cabernet delivers powerful, structured fruit with touches of mocha and mint, whilst the Carmenere element adds a rustic, spicy edge which balances the whole thing out delightfully.

A delicious fruity Chardonnay from Chile's Casablanca Valley. Aromas of pear, lemon and nectarine dominate but there's a hint of nuttiness. The palate is creamy with good structure but above all the wine is elegant, persistent and refreshing. Will excel with salmon or chicken.

Made from the "Godello" grape in the Galicia region of spain. Light straw in colour, this wine has ripe stone-fruit flavours, a nice mouth-feel and a lovely crisp acidity. Nicely versitle it would match a wide range of foods, from seafood to chicken or lighter meats. Think Viognier with a bit more weight.

The second vintage of Lebanon's Chateau Musar's new wine. An unoaked blend of Cinsault, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is released earlier than usual by Musar to get the best out of the ripe fruit flavours. There's a world of juicy red fruit flavours with spicy red cherry, ripe plum and raspberry followed by a hint of musk and white pepper. Jeune Red could be compared to a southern French red, but it has a certain extra quality that makes it unique.

A fresher more elegant Cabernet from the excellent Perez Cruz Winery in the foothills of the Andes at Maipo. Cool climate fresh black fruit and a lively texture. Delicious stuff.

Striking pink in colour, with perfumes of strawberries and the characteristic rose petal aromas of good Grenache. Vibrant, juicy fruit on the palate and a clean, fresh acidity with a hint of cherries on the finish.

Pulenta Estate in Mendoza, Argentina is a family affair run by brothers Hugo and Eduardo Pulenta, whose mission statement is 'to produce a limited series of great wines, proudly made in Argentina.' The La Flor Cabernet Sauvignon is certainly something to be proud of. Having made their name with their mastery of Malbec, the Pulenta brothers turn their hand to Cab Sauv with resounding success. The main fruit to show is plum and cassis with a background of spice and bell pepper. There are notes of vanilla and tobacco in this approachable wine with soft tannins.

Wonderful citrus and tropical fruits with added vanilla notes from the use of new american oak barrels. Really nicely balanced with an elegant finish. Will sort out a roast chicken perfectly, or you could just savour it on its own...

Argentina’s best known and signature red grape hails from Bordeaux – where it still plays a bit part in many Bordeaux blends – and is the backbone of the dark wines of Cahors in South West France. Here in the higher parts of Mendoza the ideal climate gives grapes with deep colour, intense dark fruit flavours and soft tannins – while those cool nights help keep acidity high balancing all that intense, ripe fruit. Delicious with a Rib Eye steak.

From one of the most northerly wineries in Chile hailing from the Limari Valley, this Carmenere reveals typical spicy characters with touches of black plums and coffee combining well with toasted notes from ageing in French oak. It is mouth filling, smooth, intense and full of flavour.

When you think of Grenache you don't instinctively think of Australia, but this wine will help change that. Grown on the sandy soils of McLaren Vale, the Willunga 100 Grenache is full of sumptuous fruit led by strawberry with a slight pepper finish provided by 5% of Shiraz. Fantastic value.

A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Cinsault and Carignan from a proudly independent family owned estate in Minervois in the Languedoc-Rousillon region of France. The palate is red and black fruit with notes of liquorice and spice and it works wonderfully with grilled red meat.