First up we have a highly unusual rosé from Greece. Made from the indigenous white variety Moschofilero, with 11 days skin contact, this is so different from rosé made with red grapes, it’s vibrant, aromatic and very appealing. Next up, we move to France and Valençay in the Loire, this fresh easy drinking wine is a Sauvignon Blanc with 20% Chardonnay added – the result is a rounded ripely fruited wine with the trademark flinty minerality you’d expect from Sauvignon grown on the silex soils. Moving to the southern hemisphere and into Argentina we have another blend – this time Pinot Grigio with the Argentinian indigenous variety Torrontes. The Pinot Grigio element including some partially dried grapes, providing a real depth of flavour to this fresh, easy drinking wine.
Onto the reds and sticking in the southern hemisphere we have a fabulously original blend from Australia. The hot Aussie climate is well suited to growing Mediterranean varieties as this wine ably expresses – a five grape blend including Grenache, Touriga Nacional and Nero D’Avola the result is punchy, bright and spicy. Sticking down under and moving to Chile we have a lushly flavoured, characterful Carmenère – a grape that began life in Bordeaux but has become something of a Chilean speciality. A favourite of mine! Finally, we head to Israel and the Judean Hills. The grape is Argaman – which is a crossing of Souzão and Carignan, and I wanted to include this as it’s a wine I think more people should try, I’ve used it in tastings and it’s been very well received. This is a ripely fruited, delicately herbal wine with a touch of sweet vanilla spice. Bright and fresh and very easy drinking