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(2026) Spring and early summer is definitely peak Muscadet season. These crisp and usually low-ish alcohol whites (this one is only 11% abv) suit the season's asparagus, pea-shoots and leafy herbs so well. This comes from Calvet, a large operation originally based in Bordeaux but now making wine across France. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne from the Western Loire Valley's schist, granite soils, and the aromas are of lemon, green herbs and just hints of Ogen melon, maybe even a suggestion of something more tropical. Time on the lees has given texture in the mouth, and despite the lowly alcohol plenty of fruity ripeness, juicy apple running into citrus sprinkled with a touch of salt. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) One of the star names of Stellenbosch, Vergelegen dates its history back to 1700, though the modern era began in 1987. Long time winemaker Andre van Rensburg was obsessed with the wines of Bordeaux and his ambition was to make just two wines: a red and a white, exclusively from Bordeaux varities. Andre retired in 2022, but here we have what is still basically a 'Left Bank' blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot, though there is a smidge of Syrah in there too. It's a full-bodied, ripe and very approachable wine, cassis and plum to the fore with a touch of cedar and olive in the background. There is plentiful sweet fruit on the palate, which has a nice density through quite rich and grainy tannins and cherry-skin acidity. Long and intense, it's a nice, big mouthful of structured red at a modest price. Note that this bottling is exclusive to Ocado. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Bleasdale was the first winery in the Langhorne Creek back in 1850, and is still owned by the 5th generation of the Potts family. This Rhône blend is aged six months in large oak casks. What I like about the wine is that it has taken advantage of the ocean position to make a tempered wine that is not too 'blockbuster' in style. Herbal notes of sage and mint join red fruits on nose and palate, with good balancing tannin and acid to give a savoury and food-friendly edge. If you want a big-scaled Shiraz this is not for you, but if the style appeals the offer price of £12.99 at time of review makes it worthy of consideration. Watch the video for more information.

(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.