A vine romance – try these new finds for a change

These are my latest finds from growers around the world, including South Africa, Greece, Hungary, Germany and Australia.

DRY WHITE Swartland, South Africa: Lubanzi Chenin Blanc 2020 STAR VALUE

Looking for good value Cape chenin with social and environmental credentials? This brand new find by wine buyer Joanne Locke MW is one of the best chenin blancs I have tasted under £10. Gorgeous fleshy ripeness with creamy leesy notes.

£3.95 can (250ml); £9.95 bt, The Wine Society

Peloponnese, Greece: Mantinia Moschofilero 2019 Semeli

Winemaker Leonidas Nassiakos of Semeli crafts superb aromatic spicy dry whites from this tricky grape grown high up at 650m on Mantinia plateau in Arcadia in central Peloponnese. Tasters loved its floral and rose petal aromas.

£15.95, Corney & Barrow Scotland

Western Australia: Estate Riesling 2019 Frankland Estate STAR BUY

Superb riesling from little-known Frankland Estate. Gorgeous lime zest and floral notes, lovely textural palate with vivid bright acidity.

£18.99, Bancroft Wines

Tokaj, Hungary: Egy Kis Dry Furmint 2019 Barta

Juicy, mouthwatering and fresh with lemon acidity and creamy leesy notes, this wine displays the crisp, unoaked version of Tokaj’s fiery furmint grape with its characteristic spicy hints. £14.95, Corney & Barrow Scotland

Rheingau, Germany: Riesling Hall garten Rheinschiefer Trocken 2018 Peter Jakob Kuhn STAR BUY

Winemaker Peter Bernhard Kuhn, a self-proclaimed Francophile, is really doing something different here in a region often considered rather traditional. This wine is so savoury and pure with apples, limes, nuts and spice, nectarines and racy acidity. £21, L’art du Vin

Kent, England: Chardonnay Guinevere 2019 Gusbourne

In my quest to find decent English still wines, this barrel fermented and aged chardonnay (10 months French oak) from Boot Hill vineyard in Appledore impressed me with its ripe citric fruits, sleek elegant mid-palate and toasty nutty finish.

£27-£33, Berry Bros; Noble Green; Harvey Nichols; Highbury Vintners

ORANGE

Paarl, South Africa: Obscura 2019 Spice Route

Spice Route’s owner Charles Back is always experimenting and this time he has struck gold. Back got his winemaker Charl du Plessis to learn natural non-interventionist techniques in Georgia, then imported qvevris which he buried up to their necks in earth. This sauvignon blanc/ semillon/viognier/chenin blanc Cape blend made with extended skin contact is superb.

£19.50, The Wine Society

REDS

Carinena, Spain: Mancuso Garnacha 2018 Jorge Nevascues

Grown on slate soils at high altitude (650m), this garnacha from 50 year old bushvines made by a family project is really pushing the boundaries with this exciting grape. It shows the floral side of grenache giving fabulous purity, velvet smooth tannins and long finish.

£12.95, The Wine Society

Hawkes Bay, New Zealand: SYRAH 2018 Paritua

In a line-up of Kiwi syrahs, this spicy savoury violet-scented example with sweet prune and spice flavours really stood out showing what progress New Zealand has made since its first modern syrah plantings in 1984. This has a lightness of touch which reminded me of pinot noir with a distinct pepperiness reminiscent of Northern Rhône syrah.

£30, Amathus Drinks

Western Australia: Estate Shiraz 2017 Frankland Estate

Another superb wine from this hidden gem in cool dry Frankland River. Rich fleshy blackcurrant fruits, vibrant, peppery and long – with more of a nod to French syrah than Aussie shiraz. Pleasingly drinkable now, not a wine for cellaring.

£18.99, Bancroft Wines; Vinvm

Southern Rhône, France: The Society’s Exhibition Gigondas 2016 Chateau de Saint-cosme STAR BUY

Spare a thought for all the Rhône growers who lost so many vines from this year’s April frosts – whilst you enjoy this outstanding winner from The Wine Society’s spring tasting. Subtle oak notes, and a lingering, silky textured finish.

£18, The Wine Society

Join Rose’s Virtual Wine Tastings, www.rosemurraybrown.com