WINE ‘It’s become a mantra of mine that if you like Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, head to French regions to make a comparison’

I’M off on my holidays next week and this year, thanks to the imminent arrival of a miniCronshaw in September, that means staying closer to home in case of a surprise.

Wine consumption may be somewhat curtailed as a result but generally I always like to pack a case of wine for general slurping duties at picnics, barbecues and overall al fresco occasions while away.

It’s nice to have a mixture of finer wines for those specials meals and wines that you wouldn’t think twice about opening at a moment’s notice.

Finding the latter can be difficult, wines under £7 being a bit of a crap-shoot if you don’t know their provenance.

It was very reassuring then that two samples I tasted from southern French producer LGIWines were reminders of its consistent reliability at the most affordable end of the market.

For the latest vintage, the LGI wines have now been snapped up by the Wine Society; which is £40 to join, £20 of which you immediately get back toward your first order of wine.

Pouilly Fumé La Craie

At a slightly higher cost I have a wine from Rude Wines, another online retailer worth a look. Duo des Mers Sauvignon Viognier, 2016 (£6.25, The Wine Society) It’s become a mantra of mine that if you like Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc, then you head to French regions such as the Loire for comparisons. I know friends who are so fixated on a tart splash of Marlborough’s finest that they rarely buy anything else. That’s a shame, but you’re not going to venture too far beyond the variety itself then try a Sauvignon from Gascony where it can be as vivid as New Zealand. Head winemaker for LGI Xavier Roger picks the Sauvignon Blanc early to retain freshness and adds 30 per cent Viognier which adds silkiness to the blend producing an easy-going wine that’s perfect for casual sipping.

Duo du Midi Malbec Cabernet Franc 2016 (£6.25, The Wine Society)

Both of these grape varieties are apt to make complex wines of depth and great finesse.

However, here its their tendency towards generous fruity charm that is the aim.

The fruit is lighter and more supple than you might expect with a slightly herbal character and soft tannins.

Pouilly Fumé La Craie Jean-Pierre Bailly 2016 (£13.99, Rude Wines)

Another Sauvignon Blanc, of course, but this time from the Loire with a name that requires a little more investment – particularly given that the Pouilly Fumé harvest was quite small.

If you like to match this grape variety with shellfish then this is a well-nigh perfect choice.

There are hedgerow and floral aromas with a hint of smoke lingering around the edges.

Tropical fruits are there but are marshalled by a wine of lean precision and elegance.