Stockist/Retailer: The Wine Society

(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) 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) There's a lovely directness about this Sylvaner, with fresh orchard fruit aromas and a subtle elegance. On the palate an initial hint of sweetness gives way to more apple an Asian pear, and there's a hint of saltiness to the lemony acidity. Very easy to drink, unfussy, and food friendly (think sushi or scallops perhaps).

(2026) The Muscat immediately asserts aromatically with floral, herbal and musky aromas, lychee and geranium leaf to the fore. As I almost always find with dry Muscat, the palate just deflates the mood a little, though I have to say this has a bit more character than some. There's a ginger note against the lightly phenolic firmness of the palate and decent intensity here. It's not a style I gravitate towards, but it is well done.

(2026) From 1,350 metres altitude, this comes from the single vineyard Finca Alluvia with its sandy, limestone soils. This is a Chardonnay for those who enjoy fresh, lightly oaked and elegant wines. Here, 70% was vinified in stainless steel and 30% in French oak. On the nose there's just a polished sheen of creaminess, with aromas of almond and melon. On the palate peach and ripe, juicy open melon give enough fruit weight, but this is riven with a delightful, vibrant acidity that drives a refined, long finish. Impressive at this price. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Meerlust's 2021 estate red is a Right Bank-style Bordeaux blend dominated by Cabernet Franc (36%) and Merlot (25%), the remainder Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Petit Verdot. The colour is saturated crimson, with refined aromas that show some pencil shaving, glossy cherry and a touch of tapenade. On the palate it is sweetly black fruited, gently spicy and has a lovely sense of plush, smooth ripeness. Tannins are mellow and the acidity integrated in this 2021, for very pleasurable drinking.

(2026) Another wine designated terre Siciliane IGT, 100% organic certified Fiano grown on sandy silt soils 150-350 mt above sea level. It is made in stainless steel. Stone fruits and lime are the initial impression, a moderately aromatic wine with a certain reserve but a hint of richness. Very juicy on the palate, with loads of zesty orange to the flavour, softened by peach, and the acidity of the finish showing plenty of saline character. Weighty enough, but fresh, it's a very nice example of how well Campania's Fiano can translate to Sicilian soils.

(2025) From the estate’s oldest vines, planted at high altitude, this is matured for 11 months in French oak. It's a lightly buttery and creamy style of Chardonnay, subtly draped in oak, with citrus and stone fruits and a wisp of something flinty. In the mouth it is textured and creamy, the background of nutty, lightly toasty oak is there, plenty of vivacious acidity and a juicy finish of good length.

(2025) Nyetimber's Classic Cuvée has become a flag-bearer for English sparkling wine, but they make several other wines, including this Blanc de Blancs. Vintage 2017 was one of low yields but good quality, with a later than usual harvest starting on 11th October. From Nyetimber's Greensand and chalk soils on the South Downs, the all-Chardonnay wine was aged six and a half years before disgorgement in November 2024. It is brut, bottled with 10g/l of residual sugar. The Chardonnay shines through here with a lemony thrust of precision driving the wine aromatically, though there are fascinating top and bottom notes of wildflowers and biscuit in the mix. The extended time on lees and higher dosage combine with pin-sharp acidity to give it great verve on the palate, yet some creamy, but always elegant depth of flavour and texture. A very nice Nyetimber release, and though prices vary across stockists, it can be bought for under £45. Use the wine-searcher link for all stockists.

(2025) The small Frédéric Mochel estate in northern Alsace dates back through 14 generations to 1669. This is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir, aged on its lees for around 20 months. The first impression is of a lemony, bright, vivacious wine, a touch of nettle perhaps. A fresh, crisp mousse as the palate reveals more of that crunchy apple and citrus directness, just a little creaminess from the lees, in a dry and flavourful wine that is also certified organic.