4 minute read
Highly commended wines
Argentina sparkling wine
Rosell Boher Brut Encarnacion, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza NV (£33.50, Ucopia Wines): Beautifully made, soft, soft mousse and stacks of orchard fruit.
Advertisement
Australia sparkling wines
Peter Lehmann Masters Black Queen Sparkling Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2018 (£29.99, Liberty Wines): A big hit of juicy dark tangy fruit and mouthfilling foam.
Austria sparkling wines
Loimer Extra Brut Reserve, Langenlois NV (£31.99, Liberty Wines): Exceptional, classy, racy sparkling from the top drawer. Worth every penny.
England sparkling wines
Roebuck Estates Rosé de Noirs, Sussex 2017 (£42, Southern England Wines): Full flavoured but beautifully refined; red apples and raspberries.
Simpsons Wine Estate White Cliffs Blanc de Blancs, Kent 2018 (£40.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Complex, cleansing: lovely elegant English fizz.
France sparkling wines
Champagne Mandois Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2017 (£46.49, North South Wines): Citrus, peach and a touch of bakery-brioche. Salty finish.
Champagne Mandois Rosé Grande Réserve, Champagne NV (£41.49, North South Wines): Delightful red fruit in tandem with creamy mousse.
Champagne Collet Brut Rosé, Champagne NV (£45.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Salmon colour; peach and orange and red fruits; fine mousse.
Ployez-Jacquemart Extra Brut Passion, Champagne NV (£49.99, Cachet Wine): Lemon meringue and brioche; complex – absolutely delicious.
Champagne Germar Breton Blanc de Noirs, Champagne NV (£36, Vindependents): Great depth and great value – easy to drink and stock.
Champagne Drappier Clarevallis Organic Extra Brut, Champagne NV (£47, Berkmann): Fresh and zesty but complex, warming and delicious. Good value.
Champagne Serveaux Pur Meunier Brut, Champagne NV (£36.99, Boutinot): Something a bit different, really well executed; honeysuckle, green apple.
Champagne Collet Brut 1er Cru Art Déco, Champagne NV (£43.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classically styled; elegant, nutty; a hint of minerality.
Champagne Collet Blanc de Blanc 1er Cru, Champagne NV (£54.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classic, rich but super-graceful Chardonnay fizz.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne NV (£115.35, Hatch Mansfield): Extremely stylish; fluent, graceful, lovely depth.
Taittinger Brut Vintage, Champagne 2015 (£74.92, Hatch Mansfield): Complex citrus and brioche; saline note; elegant. Worthy of the price tag.
Champagne PIAFF Brut, Champagne NV (£41.60, Loch Lomond Group): Good texture to the palate; creamy, no sharp edges. Well made, easy drinking.
Champagne de Saint-Gall Le Tradition Premier Cru, Champagne NV (£45, Daniel Lambert Wines): Delightful fruit character, candied citrus; refreshing.
Champagne de Saint-Gall Le Rosé Premier Cru, Champagne NV (£50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Delicious creamy texture; soft berry fruit palate.
Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils L’Île Demi-Sec Grand Cru, Champagne NV (£41, Vindependents): Good price point for customers who like it sweeter.
Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils Dom Basle Brut Réserve Grand Cru, Champagne NV (£42, Vindependents): Yeasty complexity; good price.
Champagne Delavenne Père & Fils Balbiacus Blanc de Noir Grand Cru, Champagne 2018 (£55, Vindependents): Finesse with depth of flavour.
Champagne Duval-Leroy Extra Brut Prestige 1er Cru, Champagne NV (£65, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Delicious toasty aromas. Complex palate.
Champagne Henriot Rosé, Champagne NV (£52, Fells): Appealingly toasty nose; ripe summer fruits and crisp balancing acidity; very well made.
Gardet Brut Tradition, Champagne NV (£34.99, Cachet Wine): Excellent value and ticks all the boxes for an indie non-vintage wine with extra panache.
Champagne PIAFF Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV (£69.50, Loch Lomond Wines): Pain au chocolate, almond croissant and fresh lemon. Creamy mousse.
Champagne Duval-Leroy Rosé 1er Cru Prestige, Champagne NV (£69.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Sophisticated, lovely fruit quality; fine, fine mousse.
Italy sparkling wines
Guido Berlucchi Franciacorta 61 Satèn Brut, Franciacorta NV (£36.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): soft, creamy but bright citrus finish; brioche hints.
Guido Berlucchi Franciacorta Palazzo Lana Extreme Extra Brut Riserva, Franciacorta 2010 (£86, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): World-class sparkling; beautiful.
Mezzacorona Rotari Cuvée 28, Trentino NV (£21, Berkmann): Creamy texture; cleansing acidity brings you back for more. Lovely balance; very easy to revisit.
Prapian Estate Prosecco Brut Biologico Valdobbiadene Superiore, Prosecco (£19.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Soft, gentle sherbet and pure orchard fruit.
Moldova sparkling wines
Chateau Purcari Cuvée de Purcari Rosé, Stefan Voda (£29.99, Transylvania Wine): Nicely textured mousse and good body; good clean finish; sophisticated.
South Africa sparkling wines
Kleine Zalze Cap Classique Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, Stellenbosch NV (£21.30, Hatch Mansfield): Fresh and vigorous; punching way above its weight.
Spain sparkling wines
Mas Macia Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva, Cava NV (£16.99, Boutinot): Well priced. Autolytic, with fresh high acidity. Good length and mouth feel.
Raventós i Blanc De la Finca, Conca del Riu Anoia DO 2019 (£31.99, Liberty Wines): Very complex and seamless bubbles with intriguing fruit character.
Argentina white wines
Matías Riccitelli Blanco de la Casa, Uco Valley, Mendoza (£26.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Really interesting blend; worth a punt even at high price.
Zuccardi Poligonos Tupungato Semillon, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2022 (£29.95, Hatch Mansfield): Enticing nose; lemon; brioche. Nice detail; balanced.
Ver Sacrum Geisha Dragon del Desierto, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 2021 (£22, Ucopia Wines): Lovely Rhône blend that’s good for handselling.
Zuccardi Apelacion Chardonnay, Uco Valley, Mendoza 2020 (£19.60, Hatch Mansfield): Brilliant light and shade, beautifully made, deliciously fluent acidity.
Armenia white wines
ArmAs Voskehat, Aragatsotn Province 2018 (£17.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Full of easy-drinking tropical fruit flavours; juicy and bright.
Australia white wines
Peccavi No Regrets Sauvignon Semillon, Margaret River, Western Australia 2021 (£25.49, Top Selection): Classic white Bordeaux-esque Maggie River.
Moorooduc Estate Robinson Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 2021 (£38.50, Vindependents): Kiwi, citrus, cleansing acidity. Very enjoyable.
Credaro Kinship Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria 2019 (£25.99, Milestone Wines): Balanced and well integrated. A lot going on here.
Robert Oatley Signature Series Riesling, Great Southern, Western Australia 2020 (£16.15, Hatch Mansfield): Appealing, aromatic, floral and lime.
Tahbilk Viognier, Nagambie Lakes, Victoria 2021 (£15.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Expressive: apricot, ginger, honeysuckle. Delicious long finish.
Russell & Suitor Alejandro Fiano, South Australia 2022 (£14.99, Milestone Wines): Tropical: quince, passionfruit and mango. Very impressive; great value.
Berton Estate Muddy Boots Chardonnay, South East Australia 2022 (£9.99, Vinfinity Wines): Pear drops, sweet candied fruits, white spice, nice acidity, zesty.
Vasse Felix Premier Chardonnay, Margaret River, Western Australia 2020 (£27.99, Fells): Elegant and reminiscent of good white Burgundy.
Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley 2021 (£18.50, Mentzendorff): Zippy lime and lemon oil; a delicious mouthful of pure fruit.
