Five stunning wines from all corners of the world.
2011 Lefkes, Moschofilero, Mitravelas Estate, Greece (£8.49, Marks & Spencer). This delightful dry white wine, made from the weird and wonderful moschofilero grape, is a guaranteed summery hit. The herbal, taut, citrus notes are embellished with touches of juicy pear and as well as being a great aperitif it is also a superb wine for plain, grilled fish.
2011 Jordan Estate, Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch, South Africa (£8.75, Wine Society tel. 01438 741177). This is a very clever wine! Not as rich or as heavy as a traditional New World chardonnay, but with a stunning creaminess and a touch of brioche on the nose, this well-priced chenin blanc shows some serious class and it will amaze you with its charms.
2010 McPherson Wines, Basilisk Shiraz / Mourvèdre, Victoria, Australia (£11.63, TJ Wines tel. 01480 393174; £10.49, Mearns McCaskie tel. 01475 520192). This Aussie shiraz blend is not what you might expect on account of its cooler Victorian climate and crunchy cherry and blueberry notes. Bright and spicy with masses of energy and impact I adore this modern wine with its style and panache.
2011 Young Meg, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (£9.99, reduced to £8.49, until 31 August, Wine Rack & www.winerack.co.uk). This elegant, zesty sauvignon is a steal given the fact that it shows some considerable breeding and detail on the nose and palate. The cute dog on the label perhaps suggests a happy-go-lucky wine, but there is more to this bottle than meets the eye!
2011 Conviviale, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy (£8.95, The Wine Shop at Harrods tel. 020 7730 1234). With robust, plummy fruit and crisp acidity on the finish, this is a great value wine for barbecues because it cuts through smokiness and marinades with ease. It is not as heavy or as brooding as most primitivos, so dive in and wallow in this beauty.
