Weekday wines

Looking but don’t to want try something to make an different expensive or mistake? adventurous, Decanter’s tastings director Christelle Guibert has done the hard work for you, picking out 25 exciting and accessible wines available in the UK for £25 or les

Christelle Guibert recommends 25 great-value wines on the UK shelves for under £25

Valentin Zusslin, Brut Zéro, Crémant d’Alsace France NV 89 £19.50 Waud Wines If bone-dry fizz is your style, then this zero dosage with no sulphur added is one to try. The nose opens up to ripe fruits with notes of apricots and peaches. A nicely refined style with quite pronounced acidity, a gentle seam of minerality and a tangy finish. Alcohol 12.5% Colomé, Torrontés, Salta, Argentina 2016 91 £12 Booths Founded in 1831, Argentina’s oldest winery is owner of the highest vines in the world at 3,111m above sea level. This is made from grapes grown at 1,700m, giving fresh aromas and bright floral notes mixed with citrus and spice. An absolute cracker – refreshing and vibrant, which makes it ideal as an aperitif or with Asian food. Alc 13.5%

Paxton Tizon, Extramundi, Ribeiro, Spain 2015 91 £15.25 Booths Hailing from fashionable Galicia, Extramundi refers to the area’s otherworldly character. Made by Oscar Aragón, this is a blend of Treixadura, Albariño, Godello and Loureira, with a beautiful saline mouthfeel, plus apricot and peach fruit. A stylish and sophisticated wine to enjoy with food. Alc 13% Cherubino, Faire Field Blend, Laissez Pemberton, Australia 2014 Western 91 £18.99 Haywood Wines, Noel Named Young after Wines, their Stricly philosophy Wines of minimal intervention, this is a field blend of Pinot Grigio, Gewurztraminer, Sauvignon Gris and Riesling. Delightful, with seductive, aromatic notes of ripe apricot, peach and pineapple. Alc 13%

Frankland Estate, Berry Bros & Rudd Australian Chardonnay, Frankland River, Western Australia 2016 91 £12.50 Berry Bros & Rudd Fresh, lean, crisp and elegant, with ample clean acidity and persistence. Textured oak is balanced by crisp apple character and mineral tension. Fabulous value. Alc 13%

Reichsgraf Von Kesselstatt, Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany 2014 91 £10.99 Co-op Floral, with white fruit, this is very quaffable; plenty of acidity keeps the palate refreshing and zesty. An elegant style which will complement spicy food but also salads and soft cheeses. And at only 8.5%, it’s a perfect lunchtime tipple. Alc 8.5%

Waterkloof, Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch, Africa 2016 91 South £21.99 Amps Fine Wines, The Vineyard This is Waterkloof’s (Dorking), WoodWinters flagship white, vineyards sourced certified from biodynamic coastal since 2015. A very restrained and elegant style with a vivid mineral core. A serious Sauvignon Blanc with refreshing acidity. Alc 13.5%

Costers del Sio, Petit Sió, Costers del Segre, Spain 2016 90 £12 Roberson From Catalonia, this fresh and juicy offering is bursting with white flowers, exotic fruits and citrus blossom. Mostly Viognier, blended with Chardonnay and a hint of Muscat. Made from organic grapes, this is a fresh and zesty aperitif tipple and also a good match for spicy Thai food. Alc 14%

Symington Family Estates, Altano, Douro, Portugal 2016 90 £9.99 Auriol Wines, Tanners, winedirect.co.uk, The Wine Society Best-known for producing Graham’s Port, the Symington stable also includes this fresh and zingy white from local varieties grown in high-altitude vineyards. Crisp and dry with plenty of citrus character, it’s an easy-drinking wine. Alc 12.5%

Viñedo Pan de Azúcar, Bouza Riesling, Uruguay 2015 89 £19.95 Jeroboams A relative newcomer, Uruguay is starting to make a name for itself with red Tannat but also with its aromatic whites. This is a restrained style of Riesling with crisp apple and lemon zest flavours. A focused wine with bright acidity and a rich and weighty texture, leading to a taut, lemony finish. Alc 13% Christophe Cordier, Vieilles Vignes, Mâcon Charnay, Burgundy White 2015 90 £17.50 Lea & Sandeman Part of Christophe Cordier’s small négociant range, this cuvée is always sourced from his neighbour’s vineyard. An elegant Mâcon dominated by flowers and ripe apple. The palate is ripe and concentrated but retains good focus and precision. Alc 13.5%

Hill-Smith Estate, Chardonnay, Eden Valley, Australia 2015 90 £11 Waitrose Over five generations, HillSmith has become one of the most respected names in the Australian wine industry. This very elegant Chardonnay has subtle stone fruits and citrus. Creamy and textured palate with well-judged oak and an acidity-driven finish. Alc 13.5%

Royal Tokaji, Dry Special Reserve, Hungary 2015 89 £11.99 Laithwaites Founded in 1990, this winery is a partnership between a small group of investors, including Hugh Johnson, and local growers. This delicate, fresh and fruity wine is an ideal aperitif. The palate is quite weighty with underlying acidity. Makes a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. Alc 13%

Susana Balbo, Signature, Uco Valley, Argentina 2016 91 £18.45 The Whisky Exchange Made by the talented Susana Balbo, this is exquisite, with wild strawberry and floral aromas. The palate shows tension and complexity with fine acidity and pure red fruit. This is a fine and serious rosé to rival Provence. Great on its own or with Mediterraneanstyle dishes. Alc 12.5%

Tanners Rosé, Côtes de Gascogne, France 2016 90 £8.20 Tanners An expressive summer fruit blend with sweet strawberry aromas dominating. It’s quaffable, fresh, dry and moreish. The palate is surprisingly full-bodied, which makes it ideal to enjoy with Mediterranean starters. A great standby rosé to have at the ready in the fridge. Alc 12%

Bodegas Muriel, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain 2014 90 £8.49 Co-op With a reputation for creating great-value Rioja, Muriel has a history dating back to 1926; though this is textbook modern-style Rioja. Expressive nose of sweet and sour cherry fruit, with a hint of vanilla. Elegant and refined palate with silky tannins and a good length of fruit richness. Alc 13.5%

De Forville, Dolcetto d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy 2016 90 £11.99 Majestic This is simply delicious, with bright, juicy, red cherry fruit aromas and spice. The uplifting palate has dark cherry notes, a juicy mouthfeel and a pleasing finish. This is friendly, easygoing and adaptable. Drink it alongside cold meats, Mediterranean salads or a midweek pizza. Alc 13%

Waterkloof, Seriously Cool Cinsault, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2016 90 £13.99 Boutinot Another winner from this very trustworthy estate. Made from old, dry-farmed bush vines, this medium-bodied wine is best served slightly chilled, when it exhibits subtle aromas of red cherry and raspberry. Complex and lively; a great alternative to Beaujolais. Alc 12.5% Domaine Carobelle, Gigondas, Rhône, France 2016 91 £18.99 Majestic Farmed organically with grapes from old vines, this is a classic southern Rhône with red and black fruit characters and sweet spice. Big and bold palate with a firm structure; this will pair well with fillet steak. A great alternative to Châteauneuf-du-Pape and will easily age for another five years. Alc 15%

Cave de Roquebrun, Les Hauts de St Martin, St-Chinian, Languedoc, France 2015 90 £6.99 Co-op Southern France is home to some of the best value reds and this offering is packed with juicy black cherry fruit, spice and a leafy edge. With no interference from the oak, this is pure fruit in the glass, with a smooth finish. Pair with grilled meat. Alc 12.5%

Viñalba, Reserve Malbec, Patagonia, Argentina 2014 90 £12.49 Waitrose In terms of consistency and value, Viñalba comes very high on the list, so it’s hard to believe this successful brand was set up by a Bordeaux family only 10 years ago. Big and spicy; combines punch with freshness. Black cherry fruit and a hint of floral elegance. Perfect with bangers and mash. Alc 14.5%

Cerro del Masso, Poggiotondo, Chianti, Tuscany 2015 89 £7.99 Waitrose Look beyond the plonk in a straw-wrapped bottle and Chianti is among the finest wines in the world, offering excellent value for money. This versatile red is a refreshing style with firm tannins, yet smooth and elegant. Pair it with tomatobased dishes and it is a match made in heaven. Alc 12%