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

By Christelle Guibert Want something more adventurous in your midweek wine selection but don’t want to make an expensive mistake? Here are 25 exciting wines to try for under £ 25

Harvey Nichols, Premium Sparkling, Conca del Riu Anoia, Spain 2015 91 £22 Harvey Nichols This own-label fizz is made by Raventós i Blanc, which left the DO Cava to have more freedom. From biodynamic native grapes sourced from estate vineyards, it spent 18 months on its lees and has a full-bodied palate of ripe white fruit, lemony acidity and a creamy mouthfeel. Alc 12%

Ciro Picariello, Fiano di Avellino, Campania, Italy 2016 92 £21.50 Stannary St Wine Co The under-appreciated Fiano di Avellino is one of Italy’s most exciting Italian whites. This example is expressive and vibrant with a dried herb and citrus fruit profile and a flinty hint from the volcanic soil on the complex, textured palate. One to pair with white fish or chicken. Alc 13.5%

Domaine Duroché, Chardonnay, Burgundy, France 2015 91 £21 Stannary St Wine Co Pierre Duroché took over from his father Gilles in 2005 and the wines are in high demand. This cuvée is labelled as a Bourgogne Blanc but the fruit is sourced from Gevrey-Chambertin, boasting a rich texture and purity of ripe apple fruit. Real finesse and precision. Alc 12%

Léon Beyer, Crémant d’Alsace, France 91 £17.25 Yapp Brothers Alsace sparkling represents 22% of the region’s wine production, though most is consumed in France. Crémants are a great alternative to Champagne and a step up from many a Prosecco or Cava. This classic blend of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Auxerrois is vivid with crunchy apple and citrus flavours plus refreshing acidity. A lovely aperitif. Alc 12%

Domaine de la Mortaine, Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine sur Lie, Loire, France 2016 91 £10.95 Yapp Brothers A Muscadet that punches above its weight in both quality and price. Sea-breeze freshness, a textured, leesy mouthfeel and flavours of crisp green apples and white flowers are balanced by a subtle prickle of CO . 2 A summer standby. Alc 12%

Framingham, F Series, Old Vine Riesling, Marlborough, New Zealand 2016 91 £24.90 The New Zealand Cellar An Old World-style of Riesling from 35-year-old vines, showing concentrated lime, ripe white peach, wet stone notes and petrolly evolution. The textured honeyed palate has refreshing acidity and more complexity than your average Kiwi Riesling. Alc 13.5%

Samuel Billaud, Les Grands Terroirs, Chablis, France 2015 93 £16 The Wine Society Since the family fall-out at Billaud-Simon, Samuel has been making his own wine – initially with bought-in grapes but supplemented from 2014 with his own fruit from the 4.2ha he inherited from the domaine’s sale. His wines have gone from strength to strength, helped by a new winery in 2015. This is a steal: mineral, chalky and crisp with great tension and precision of citrus and apple. Alc 12.5%

Olifantsberg, Grenache Blanc, Breedekloof, South Africa 2016 91 £16.49 Great Wines Direct Another great-value South African wine, of which there seem to be endless examples. Expressive nose of ripe stone fruit and florals on a textured, opulent yet light palate with richness from the fruit and creaminess from judicious oak use. A top food wine. Alc 13.5%

Château Lions Lamartine, Gaillac, France 2016 90 £9.95 Berkmann Wine Cellars From one of the oldest wine regions in France comes this Muscadelle-dominant white blended with the local variety Loin de l’Oeil. Zesty-fresh aromas of ripe tropical fruit leap out of the glass and the crisp, flavour-packed palate leads to a honeyed finish. A perfect summer party wine. Alc 12%

Prunus, Dão, Portugal 2016 90 £10.50-£13.50 Dulwich Vintners, Harvey Nichols, Noble Green Portuguese whites always offer something unique for wine lovers (see p130 for more). This field blend of Encruzado, Bical, Malvasia Fina, Cerceal Branco and 5% of other local varieties has a layered, textured palate of herbs, flowers and juicy white fruits. Delicious, complex and refreshing. Alc 13%

Bodegas Ollauri, Conde de Los Andes, Rioja, Spain 2013 90 £24.90 Moreno Wines A modern, approachable style of Rioja displaying vibrant blackberry characters and sweet spice. The palate is tight and coiled but has a fine acidic backbone with plenty of fruit vibrancy and grippy tannins waiting to unfold. Lovely now, but patience will be rewarded with cellaring. Alc 14%

Weingut Göttelmann, Vom Schwarzen Schiefer Dry Riesling, Nahe, Germany 2016 91 £14.40 The Wine Barn From grapes grown on black slate soil, this is an understated yet fine Riesling, showing green apple, citrus and herbal notes. The palate is fresh and open with bright acidity and subtle minerality with a long and juicy fruit finish. Alc 12.6%

Plaimont Producteurs, Le Faîte, St-Mont, France 2013 90 £17.99 Adnams, Corney & Barrow This zingy, fresh white is the top wine from this excellent group of five co-ops based in Gascony. It is made from the local Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu grapes and shows intense pineapple and other exotic fruit aromas and flavours, subtle oak and fine weight and richness on the finish. Alc 13%

Château Bournac, Médoc, France 2015 91 £17.10 Haynes Hanson & Clark 2015 has produced some stellar wines in Bordeaux (see p62 for more) which promise to drink well from an early age. This example has an inviting profile of fresh blackcurrant – still very primary with its juicy and crunchy fruit characters – on a modern, smooth-textured palate with supple tannins. Offers fine drinking now. Alc 13.5%

Domaine des Tourelles, Vieilles Vignes Cinsault, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2015 90 £17.50 Caviste, D Byrne, Highbury Vintners, Talking Wines, The Wine Society Cinsault has long been grown in the Bekaa Valley but still has huge untapped potential. This has inviting sweet red summer berries, grainy tannins and a smooth texture. Very honest, and enjoyable. Alc 14.5%

Tenuta Rapitalà, Grillo, Sicily, Italy 2016 90 £8.99 Waitrose For those looking for something different to pop in the supermarket trolley in place of your regular Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, this is a great option. It has a deliciously light summery perfume of grapefruit, passion fruit and spring blossom that leads to a round, creamy palate of lemon zest intensity and floral characters, all framed around lively acidity. A perfect wine for a mid-week fish pie or chicken salad. Alc 13%

Domaine Richaud, Terre de Galets, Côtes du Rhône, France 2016 90 £23.99 Liberty Wines Marcel Richaud takes a Burgundian approach in the vineyards and winery, so this spicy, southern red is more elegant than you might expect. Garrigue and blueberry are backed by sculpted tannins and, despite the high alcohol, it is an approachable style. Alc 15%

Jeroboams, Bordeaux, France 2016 90 £13.45 Jeroboams Own-labels are seeing a new lease of life and Jeroboams is the latest merchant to get in on the act. Blended by négociant, François Thienpont, this is a smooth and easygoing Bordeaux boasting sweet plum and red cherry fruit and fine structure. Very versatile, it would be a great bottle to take to a dinner party. Alc 14%

Ranuccio Neri, Stile di Campriano, Toscana, Italy 2015 90 £18.20 Haynes Hanson & Clark Previously labelled as Chianti, this 100% Sangiovese still is, in all but name (the winemaker labelled it IGT to free him from the strict DOC rules). Generous red cherry and herbal notes sing from the glass over high-toned acidity and firm tannins. It will really open up at the table with a classic ragù. Alc 13.5%

Vieux Château St-André, Montagne St-Emilion, France 2014 90 £18.75 Haynes Hanson & Clark Jean-Claude Berrouet, longtime winemaker for the Moueix properties which include Petrus, now runs this estate with his son. The 2014 has vibrant black fruit, cedary oak and polished tannins on a serious, structured palate. A classic Right Bank wine that will age well. Alc 13%

Guy Allion, Les Parcs Pinot Noir, Touraine, Loire, France 2016 90 £11.99 All About Wine If you are on a budget and fancy a Pinot Noir, then this is just the ticket. Biodynamically grown, it has an engaging perfume of strawberry and raspberry compote that is mirrored on the palate along with refreshing acidity and a dash of pepper on the finish. A great alternative to red Sancerre. Alc 12%

Josetta Saffiro, Barbera d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy 2015 90 £18.95 Vagabond Wines This 5ha family estate, managed by the fifth generation, majors on Nebbiolo but its Barbera shouldn’t be overlooked. This vintage is packed with crunchy, vibrant red fruit given a great kick from the acidity. A perfect red to have with nibbles on the balcony or at a picnic. Alc 14%

Tanners, Super, Douro, Portugal 2015 90 £14.50 Tanners UK merchant Tanners blended this from wines made by Duorum Vinhos. A full-on mouthful at first taste, with concentrated black berry fruits galore. But the palate reveals more lightness of touch thanks to an elegant structure and subtle use of oak. Definitely one for barbecued meats. Alc 14%

Louis Tête, Brouilly, Beaujolais, France 2016 89 £12 Marks & Spencer Best drunk slightly chilled (and ideally alfresco), this is an ideal summer quaffer. The traditional carbonic maceration used in Beaujolais highlights the juicy fresh strawberry fruit of the Gamay grape on a light and breezy palate. One to keep on standby in the fridge for barbecue emergencies. Alc 13%

Château du Moulin-àVent, Moulin-à-Vent, Beaujolais, France 2015 92 £25 Stannary St Wine Co From one of the most serious and ageworthy of the 10 Beaujolais crus, this Gamay is made in quite a modern style, showcasing generous and vibrant dark cherry fruit supported by a firm tannic frame and fine acidity. The complex palate is layered, textured and structured which suggests you could cellar it for several years, but it has enough ample fruit to be enjoyed now. Alc 13.5%