Top 10 wines in the UK press

London Cru SW6 Red Wine 1, London

David Williams, writing in The Guardian, picked a selection of wines made from grapes with “unusual origins”, including this one produced in London.

He said: “A wine made in London? It’s a counter-intuitive idea, all the more so when you consider there are no commercial vineyards (I’m not counting the odd allotment or back-garden row of vines) in the capital. Inspired by the urban wineries of San Francisco and New York, London Cru instead brought the grapes for its four debut wines from three locations in southern Europe. And having followed the progress of this Syrah from the vines of Château de Corneilla near Perpignan in the Roussillon as they were picked last September via refrigerated truck to fermentation tank in the backstreets of SW6, I’m pleased to report that it is so, so much better than the gimmick it so easily could have been: it’s a superbly fresh, vividly fruity, natural-tasting red.”

Price: £15, London Cru

Franck Massard Mas Sardana Cava Brut Nature NV

Another of Williams’ recommendations was this Cava produced by former UK-based French sommelier Franck Massard.

He said: “He is perhaps best known for his work in the Catalan region of Priorat, where he bought his first plot of vines. But, like many people (it won a trophy at this year’s Wines from Spain Awards) I was particularly impressed by his take on Cava. This is a style that does a perfectly serviceable job of fulfilling the need for cheap fizz (see Waitrose Cava Brut NV, £6.99). But it can do more than that: Massard’s version avoids the mistake of slavishly imitating Champagne, using classic local grape varieties for a distinctive, dry, graceful apple-scented delight.”

Price: £12.99, Naked Wines

2012 Yalumba Y Series Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia

Three Australian Cabernet Sauvignons were showcased by Hamish Anderson writing in The Telegraph this week, including this example from Yalumba.

He said: “Australia’s Shiraz often gets all the attention, but its winemakers also do an excellent job with the more reserved Cabernet Sauvignon grape. Yalumba’s exemplary range of mid-weight, leafy wines are full of fresh blackcurrants – typically Cabernet.”

Price: £7.98 (when buying two), Majestic

2012 Heartland Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek/Limestone Coast, South Australia

Anderson said this South Australian red had a “richer style” than his previous selection without being “overblown”.

He said: “The fruit is dark and ripe, balanced by freshening bursts of peppermint and spice. This tastes significantly grander than its price tag, and will develop over the next five years.”

Price: £13.50, greatwesternwine.co.uk

Chemin De Moscou Pays d’Oc IGP 2011

This bottle is one of the “best Languedoc-Roussillon” wines currently available, according to Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent.

He said: “A very traditional Southern French blend of mainly Syrah, Grenache and Cinsault, this rivals some of the bigger names of the Languedoc for power and finesse. Its rounded combination of rich, ripe fruits has enough structure to improve over the years. But drink now with rare roast beef or steak-frites.”

Price: £19.13 cambridge wine.com; £22.99, htfwines.co.uk

Paul Mas Estate Sauvignon Blanc ‘Pépinière Vineyard’ Pays d’Oc IGP 2013

Kirby also recommended this oak-aged Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc.

He said: “One of 50-plus Pay d’Oc grape varieties gets a New World-style treatment: the zesty grapefruit and tropical-fruit flavours are terrific for any fish with Asian spicing, but there is also a bit of depth from some oak ageing.”

Price: £9.99, majestic.co.uk (as part of a purchase of six mixed bottles)

Tikves Smederevka Rkaciteli 2013, Macedonia

Jamie Goode, writing in The Express, praised the merits of so-called “rustic” wines this week which he said in the past were “well worth avoiding”, but now offer something that goes perfectly with “hearty, uncomplicated, country cooking.”

Of this Macedonian white he said: “This is a lovely, precise, lemony white from Macedonia, a country that’s increasingly making interesting wines. With a bit of pear richness and hints of citrus pith, it would go well with the sweet potato frittata.”

Price: £7, Marks & Spencer

Piccini Chianti Classico Riserva 2009, Tuscany, Italy

Produced in Chianti’s heartland, this Chianti Classico 2009 Riserva was described by Goode as “pleasing” with a “hint of rustic robustness, alongside lovely sweet cherry and damson fruit.”

With a “slight bitterness”, Goode said it would make a good food wine, particularly suited to serving with a carrot, shallot and prune tagine.

Price: £11.49, Morrisons

2013 Pecorino, Terre di Chieti, Umani Ronchi, Marche, Italy

This Italian white made from the lesser-known Pecorino grape, not to be confused with the Italian cheese, was recommended by Matthew Jukes writing in the Daily Mail.

He said: “Yes, Pecorino is the name of an Italian cheese, but it is also a grape variety and I have never tasted a version as succulent and delicious as this one made by the heroes at Umani Ronchi. Mainly found in the Marche region this grape parades sultry apple and pear notes and floral aroma which make it a guaranteed winner!”

Price: £10, Marks & Spencer

2012 Concha y Toro, Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley, Chile

Finally Jukes recommended this Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon from Casillero del Diablo, a firm favourite of his having recommended it every year for the past 15 years.

He said: “Bargain-priced and packed with masses of cassis fruit, drink it with the Puff pastry steak pizza and raise a glass to the clever little devil on the label.”

Price: £7.99, reduced to £5.99, until 28 October, Waitrose