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(2026) This is a rich and sweet, black cherry and blueberry filled rendition of Pinot, coming from the prime Oregon terroir of the Dundee Hills. Gently smoky, grilled meat inflections join the fruit on the nose, then the wine proves its ripe aromatic impression on the palate, with a flood of plush and particularly sweet and fleshy fruit. The backing of the creamy and gently chocolaty oak is there, tannins are svelte and the acidity is nicely balanced. A smooth and relatively solid, pleasing Pinot Noir.

(2026) Not from Katie Jones own domaine Jones, but made with fruit sourced from the local cooperative, mostly very old vine Carignan in the blend. Deep and vibrant crimson, there's a perfume to the nose, subtle rose and violet, and the sense of crunchy red fruits with a little smoky spice. Sweet fruited on the palate, perhaps a touch of residual sugar, but there's a breeziness to the acid that cuts through the 14.5% alcohol, though that touch of heat and some tannin is felt right in the finish. A barbecue basher I'd say. Angels pay £13.99 but please note the vintage on sale has moved on to 2024.

(2026) Coming from the Languedoc, this is a blend of Morrillon (chardonnay), Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc. Green apple and citrus dominate the nose, perhaps a touch of lime and also lightly figgy background. It's quite unusual on the palate, being both lightly honeyed and having a slightly grippy directness to the acid. It is a little sweet too, and for me the acid jars a little against that slightly cloying quality of sweetness. Angels pay £11.99, but note the 2023 is now listed only in magnum, bottles have moved on to the 2024 vintage at time of publication.

(2026) Blended in the Languedoc from Grenache and Cinsault, this pale salmon coloured pink has an attractive nose of small red berries, with hints of rose-hip and strawberry. Bags of sweet summer fruit on the palate, a cut of watermelon to the acidity and character, but very good ripeness and fruit sweetness on the mid-palate. Angel price is £8.99 at time of review, but please note the vintage has moved on to 2024.

(2026) A fresh and zingy white from local varieties Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Arinto, and Gouveio, this is aromatic with grapefruit, peach and blossom and a touch of talcum powder. In the mouth good balance with a bright fruitiness, some nice textural weight and a balanced, crisp finish. A lovely little white, especially if you see it on offer at £8 as it was recently.

(2026) This organic certified wine comes from family vineyards in Mittelbergheim, Alsace, and is matured in century-old, large oak casks. In fact, the Wine Society website tells me what's in the bottle is actually the grape variety Auxerrois. Pinot Blanc and Auxerrois are not the same grape, but by a historical quirk, in Alsace it is permitted to label a wine as Pinot Blanc whether it is Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, or a blend of both. The nose has fresh, bold, juicy yellow apple and Mirabelle plum aromas, before a palate that has a medium to full texture, and a sheen of almond rounding-out the gentle stone fruit and apple. Precise, delicate, and delightful, it's a 'quiet' and refined wine. Watch the video for more information.

(2026)

Always a superb wine, Virginia Willcock's top Chardonnay is made from the gingin clone, fermented with wild yeast, and aged in French barrels, 52% of which was new oak. This wine always has ripeness and the winemaker's signature flinty character, but I have to say the 2023 is a beauty.

The combination of those components and winemaking style mean there's buttercream, vanilla and hints of tropical fruit, but a steely precision where gunpowder and Lapsang souchong notes add layers of intrigue. Mid-palate the fruit is sweet and ripe, creamy and mouth-filling, with plenty of concentration. Lemon pith grip is evident in a long, savoury, chewy finish that still retains elegance and freshness.

Heytesbury 2023 is a superb Chardonnay for drinking now, or for medium term cellaring.

(2026) Bruce Jack the man has been a renowned Cape winemaker for decades now, though today his company is global. This Chenin blanc fits the bill for the current trend towards moderate alcohol at 11% abv. It is sourced from vineyards in the Western Cape and has a clear apple and pear fruitiness, with a stripe of lemon rind. In the mouth it is light but has a bit of presence with juicy orchard fruits and that citrus freshness. Yes, there is a little sense of dilution here so avoid it you want full-body and concentration, but it's a useful, well-balance and lower alcohol all-rounder. The RRP on this is £8, but at time of review it is £7 in Asda. Look out for deals in Asda or Sainsbury's.

(2026) Made in century old wooden vats, this Riesling from limestone soils has a gently leafy, waxy, classic Riesling character but tempered and delicate. The palate is dry, an apple core and lemon sense of pithy acidity, but the cool, clear fruit profile is fine, pure, some might think a touch too understated, but for me that is the house style and adds to the charm.

(2026) I don't recommend many Pinot Grigios. It's not that there aren't some truly fine examples from the north of Italy, but so too is there a sea of very mundane, cheap, mass-produced bottles. Here's a PG from Chile that I grew to really enjoy over a couple of glasses. Perhaps the fact there is 15% Chardonnay in the blend helped, but it is a fleet-footed and light, strikingly gluggable wine that still has a keen and grown up edge: it's more about juicy grapefruit than lemon, even has a hint of flinty character, and finishes on crunchy apple and more grapefruit. With only 12% abv, a useful summer sipper. Watch out for deals on this wine too, recently seen for well under £10. Watch the video for more information.