My latest dozen finds from around the world
Sparkling Tasmania: Jansz Rosé Vintage 2017
One of the best examples of New World rosé fizz on the market made from 100 per cent pinot noir. Wild fermented with 30 months on lees, this is a superbly crafted raspberrytoned, yeasty, toasty, savoury fizz. £26, Harvey Nichols; Australian Wines Online; Wine Direct; Vinvm
White Breedekloof, South Africa: Dascjbpscj Chenin Blanc 2021
A great pick from Lidl’s latest New World wine tour. Loved its citric fruits and zesty textural palate made from winemaker WS Visagie.
£11.99, Lidl
Naoussa, Greece: Morrisons The Best Assyrtiko Greek White 2022
Good value
Bright, floral with zesty, citric fruit palate with rich texture from lees ageing. This is a well-made Assyrtiko (the name of the grape) which would appeal to anyone who normally drinks sauvignon blanc.
£10, Morrisons
Transylvania, Romania: Expressions Feteasca Regala 2022
This wine was so popular in M&S’S Found range, it is now in the permanent range. Exotic floral notes, deliciously crisp, peppery with an off dry finish, this is an easy-drinking example of Romania’s flagship white grape feteasca regala.
£7, Marks & Spencer
Santorini, Greece: Gaia Thalassitis Assyrtiko 2022
Assyrtiko from Santorini can be one of the most exciting white wines in the world, but with the difficult drought and space issues on the island they are never cheap. Low yielding vines grown in Episkopi, Akrotiri and Pyrgos villages give superb intensity, a hint of flint, lemon and blossom with a long minerally finish. £26, Strictly Wine; Hic!; Wine Reserve; NY Wines
Marlborough, New Zealand: Dog Point Vineyard Chardonnay 2021
Another outstandingly good vintage release from James Healy and Ivan Sutherland of Dog Point who excel with their chardonnay. Biodynamically produced this has spicy citric nose with a hint of struck match, very rich, smoky textured complex palate with a crisp powerful finish. £23-£28, Bancroft Wines; Woodwinters; The Wine Society; Philglas & Swiggot; Strictly Wine
Veneto, Italy: Cantina Negrar Coste Soave Classico 2021
This might be from one of Soave’s largest producers, but this garganega/ trebbiano blend is fresh, juicy and dry with bitter almond notes.
£12.99, Majestic Wine
Red Mclaren Vale, Australia: Scrubby Rise Shiraz 2021
This elegant, succulent shiraz is made by the renowned Wirra Wirra winery. Loved the combination of zesty freshness, restrained palate, rich brambly fruits and hints of spice.
£11.99, Lidl
Campania, S Italy: Aglianico Anima Lavica 2020 La Guardiense
Good value
Aglianico can be a tough austere grape, but this example from Sannio in Campania is really very approachable with lashings of ripe blackberry fruit and spice.
£13.50, The Wine Society
Pfalz, Germany: G Stepp ‘Sandstein’ Spatburgunder 2020
Smoky, earthy, cherry-fruited, soft, easy drinking, spicy cinnamon – a very attractive example of pinot noir from one of Germany’s warmest regions.
£13.99, Naked Wines Angel Price
Rhone, France: Crozes Hermitage Les Papillon 2022 Domaine Gilles Robin
Star buy
Apricots were once more important to Gilles Robin than vines, but now he has focused his family domaine towards wine. This unoaked syrah comes from 30 year old vines grown on pebbly and sandy clay; loved its cherry and raspberry fruits, rounded lush fruits, freshness on palate and hints of olives.
£16.50, The Wine Society
Moravia, Czech Republic: Krasna Hora Pinot Noir 2021
One of the stand-out bottles I have found from Czech Republic, it hails from Stary Poddvorov village in south Moravia. From a mix of Burgundian clones, very elegant and well made with bright cherry fruit.
£20.50, Prost Wines
Join Rose’s French Classic Wine Dinner at Prestonfield on 16 May, www.rosemurraybrown.com
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