2008 Dolcetto, Vigna Nirane, Matteo Ascheri, Piemonte, Italy (£14.50, SWIG tel. 08000 272272 & www.swig.co.uk). This wine has only just arrived in the country and apparently there is still some 2007 (a nice wine, but not remotely as serious as this new 2008) around, so make sure that you buy accurately.... 

2008 Arca Nova Vinho Verde, North West Portugal (£7.95, Vinoteca 020 7253 8786; £7.75, Kensington Wine Rooms 020 7727 8142; £6.30 www.slurp.co.uk). Nothing quite signals the start to the summer like a glass of ice cold Vinho Verde. This exquisite style of ‘light’ (it is only 10.5% alc) white wine... 

2006 McHenry Hohnen, 3 Amigos White, Margaret River, Western Australia (£11.99, Handford Wines tel. 020 7589 6113 , Edward Sheldon tel. 01608 661409, The General Wine Company tel. 01428 722201, Bablake Wines tel. 024 7622 8272). The great David Hohnen (one of the coolest men on the planet – think... 

At last, I have given up using Burgundy as a reference point for New World Pinot Noir.  It has taken me two decades to do so and I feel somewhat guilty about this.  I don’t do it with New World Cabernet and Claret and I long ago cast off the Cornas or Crozes and ‘cool climate’ Shiraz... 

  2007 Clonakilla, O’Riada Shiraz, Canberra, Australia (£26.99, Majestic Wine (Fine Wine stores only & www.majestic.co.uk, Noel Young Wines tel. 01223 844744).  Wine epiphany moments happen every so often, luckily, and last weekend, I and my friends shared a massive one!  After a volley...