Top 10 wines in the UK press

Domaine des Tourelles Red, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2010

David Williams recommends three wines from the Arab world in the The Observer this week, including this Bekaa Valley red. In the piece he praises the perseverance of Lebanese winemakers, who continue to produce despite the difficulties they face: “Plucky is the adjective that tends to describe Lebanese winemakers, working as they do in conditions that can be challenging for reasons other than the weather. But there’s more to the wines than the tale of their production.

“There’s real flair, for example, in this blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault from the country’s oldest commercial winery, Domaine des Tourelles. Like many reds with French influence, it’s pitched in style between Bordeaux and the Rhône, with a bright cherry character and gently gripping tannins.”

Deen De Bortoli Vat 5 Botrytis Semillon 2008

Suzy Atkins flags up this Australian sticky in The Telegraph, describing it as: “A versatile, sweet Aussie, luscious and honeyed with ripe peaches. A five-star match for both apple pie with custard and stilton.”

Côte Mas Blanc 2011

Terry Kirby looks at wines with striking retro labels in The Independent this week – “Proof that cheaper wines do not necessarily mean cheap packaging. A classy French retro design from one of the best producers of the Languedoc, this is an excellent everyday white blend, with a little Sauvignon and Vermentino giving edge to the creamy Chardonnay,” he says.

The Society’s Exhibition Albariño 2012

In The Telegraph this week, Hamish Anderson cherry picks this Albariño from The Wine Society, which scooped the Best White Over £10 gong at the Wines From Spain awards last week. “This complex take on the grape has some of its signature perfume and weight, but it is really about vibrancy and a taut savoury palate that is reminiscent of the sea – I can think of nothing better to drink with oysters,” he says.

Finest Fino Sherry Spain

Sticking with the Spanish theme, Victoria Moore flags up this great value fino from Tesco in The Telegraph, describing it as having “The iodine nostril-blast of seaweed blown at you on a gusty day on the coast and warm sourdough baking in the oven.” “There are three reasons to buy this fino Sherry,” she continues, “I’m not sure more are required but if you are a fan then the special offer makes this a good time to stock up.” £6.40 from Tesco until 1 October.

Welgegund Pinotage 2009 

Olly Smith in The Mail on Sunday describes this 2009 Pinotage as boasting “layers of fruit so deep you might need waders”, referring to the South African red grape as having “more faces than Lady Gaga.” He goes on to say the wine’s dried-herb fragrance makes it a “stunning” match for roast lamb.

Secano Estate, Sauvignon Gris, Leyda Valley 2012

In The Daily Mail, Matthew Jukes sings the praises of this Chilean Sauvignon Gris – one of the most exciting white grapes from the brushstroke-shaped country. “This is one of the most off-the-wall whites of the year. Sauvignon Gris is a weird, spritzy, ginger-kissed cousin of Sauvignon Blanc, and here it’s produced an aromatic and simply ravishing wine,” he says.

Tim Adams, Shiraz, Clare Valley 2009

Jukes also recommends this Aussie red, describing it thus: “A spectacular red with awesome value for money and exceptional intensity of Shiraz fruit. Tim Adams is a true Aussie hero and his wines show the swagger and confidence of a man with decades of experience in impressing all comers. It’s rare to find boutique producers’ wines on the high street so do snap up this iconic wine.”

Maison Fort du Roi Chablis 2011

Brian Elliott picks out this Chablis in The Scotsman this week. “This has all the delicacy and sophistication you expect from good Chablis,” he says. “It starts with soft and gentle touches of orange, develops a layer of lime-centred freshness, and finishes with Granny Smith apple crispness.”

Minarete Ribera del Duero 2011

Finally, Fiona Beckett recommends this meaty Spanish red in The Guardian this week. “The current craze for all things meaty has helped fuel the nation’s appetite for Malbec, and we all still love Rioja, though could and maybe should be tempted to switch to other Spanish regions,” she suggests. “Aldi’s satisfyingly full-bodied Minarete Ribera del Duero 2011 (£5.49), for example, knocks spots off most Riojas at the price.”