Top 10 wines in the UK press

Domaine du Colombier Chinon, France 2012

David Williams explored the Loire writing in The Observer, recommending a number of red wines from a region typically known for its white wines, shining a light on Cabernet Franc.

“Recently I’ve enjoyed a plump Beaujolais-like 2013 Gamay from Robert Sérol in the southern Côte Roannaise; a silky, light 2011 Pinot Noir from Vincent Pinard in Sancerre in the region’s centre, and a succulent 2011 take on the local Grolleau from Clau de Nell in Anjou to the west. But the Loire’s red star is undoubtedly Cabernet Franc, with Domaine du Colombier’s Chinon a crisp, crunchy-fruited budget-friendly introduction.”

Price: £7, Sainsbury’s

Château de Hureau Tuffe Saumur-Champigny 2012

“What I like about Loire Cabernet Franc is its inherent lightness and freshness, both of which make it a versatile food-match”, said Williams.

“With their distinctive mix of red fruit, graphite, floral fragrance, acidity and chalky tannic bite, and their generally low alcohol, the wines take well to being chilled and served with cold meats and cheese, too”, he added.

Recommending this bottle from Saumur-Champigny, Williams said: “Those closest to my personal ideal of Cab Franc are both from the Saumur-Champigny appellation: the raspberry-scented Domaine Filliatreau Classique 2013 and the perfectly modulated cherries of Château du Hureau’s 2012.”

Price: £14.35, Slurp

2014 Secano Estate, Pinot Noir Rosé, Leyda Valley, Chile

Matthew Jukes, writing for the Daily Mail, said the “aroma and flavour of this vivid rosé are unlike any other on the shelves today”.

“With a vibrant red cherry theme and a silky, buoyant palate this is an ostentatious wine which makes a massive statement and I venture that you will love its over the top attitude.”

Price: £9, Marks & Spencer

2013 Main Divide, Riesling, Waipara Valley, South Island, New Zealand

Jukes proclaimed this “epic, off-dry” Riesling from Marlborough’s Waipura Valley to be a “phenomenal bargain”.

“I have gone on record saying that the Waipara wine region of NZ, north of Christchurch, has the most potential in the whole country”, he said. “With a perfect climate and stunning soils, the top wines here are truly world class.”

Price: £14.49, reduced to £10.87 each when you buy 2 bottles until 31 August, Majestic

2014 Mud House Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand

Susy Atkins, writing in The Telegraph, rounded up her pick of summer whites, recommending this Sauvignon Blanc from Mud House in New Zealand.

“This is one of those annoying wines that you should not buy unless discounted, which it is nearly all of the time”, said Atkins. “At the £8 mark, the 2014 delivers almost unbeatable value. It is poised, with enough pungent passion and lime fruit to be typical but never overblown.”

Price: £10.49 (£7.86 when buying two), Majestic Wine

2014 Grillo ‘Ariddu’, Valdibella, Sicily

Atkins also recommended this Sicilian white made from Grillo, one the Italian island’s signature white grapes, “here grown organically by a small cooperative.”

“This is wonderful, with instant appeal and a serious side. Its heady aromas of peach deliver immediate gratification, but as you sip it flavours of baked apple, nuts and spice bring interest”, she said. “A great food all-rounder.”

Price: £12.50 (£9.50 by the case), Swig

Pazo Señorans Albariño, Rias Baixas, 2013

Painting an appealing picture, Terry Kirby writing for The Independent, said this Albariño should be “sipped on a sun-drenched terrace, with scallops, razor clams and percebes”, fished fresh from the shores of north-western Spain. 

“Long-lasting mineral flavours of lemons, grapefruit, apples and a hint of green herbs. Wonderful.”

Price: £16.95, darleyabbeywines.co.uk (minimum six-bottle order); £15.39, Cambridge Wine Merchant

2013 Malagousia, Domaine Ktima Gerovassiliou, Epanomi, Greece

Looking for something a bit different and to expand your wine horizons? Anthony Rose recommended this “Grecian beauty” for those looking to splash out, writing in The Independent.  

“A Grecian beauty that gobsmacks with opulent tropical fruit rounded by subtle oak, and whose zesty acidity etches in refreshing balance and zing.”

Price: £16.99, Wine Rack

Argento Seleccion Malbec 2014

For those on a tighter budget, and summer barbecues on the brain, this Argentine Malbec could fit the bill.

“Luscious, perfectly balanced Malbec, with fresh flavours of black berry fruits, chocolate and mocha, with soft, supple tannins, making this easy to drink”, said Kirby. “Great for barbecued meats.”

Price: £9, winedirect.co.uk (minimum six-bottle order); £8.95, slurp.co.uk

Bordière Nord, Syrah Grenache 2014, Languedoc, France

Tom Cannavan, writing for the Huffington Post, recommended this Syrah Grenache from the Languedoc, a region that has become known for being capable of offering excellent value for money, especially its IGP Pays d’Oc appellation.

“IGP, or Indication Geographique Protégée, is a relatively new classification for French wines that allowed winemakers a little more flexibility than the established Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée, and which was embraced enthusiastically by the winemakers of the south”, said Cannavan.

“This is a typical d’Oc red, a blend of Syrah and Grenache, unoaked and crunchily fresh, which is really the point of these wines: the nose is creamy and dense, with a blue-black depth but adding a cherry freshness on the palate, that plum flesh ripeness and sweetness, nicely tart acidity and roughening tannins to give it grip and food-friendly appeal.”

Price: £6.99, Majestic