Wines of the week

Passion fruit and asparagus

Journey’s End, The Weather Man Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2020. £6.50, Co-op, alc 12.5% Typical varietal nose of passion fruit, fresh grass, gooseberry and asparagus; saline palate of lime and nectarine. Refreshing and mouthwatering, a lightweight vintage with moderate alcohol. Fairtrade.

Fruit-forward style

Pinot Vigilante, Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand 2019. £9.99, Aldi, alc 13.5% Made for Aldi by Rockburn, this is an overt, fruit-forward style, packed with vanilla, cherryade, strawberry laces and even some cola notes. Balancing out that sweetness, however, is a fresh seam of acidity that prevents it from being cloying. Available online.

Commemorative release

Graham’s, LBV, Douro, Portugal 2015. £13.99, Asda, Frazier’s, Morrisons, Ocado, Waitrose, alc 20% Graham’s marks its bicentenary with a commemorative LBV release, bottled in 2020. Aromas of black fruit, liquorice and star anise lead to a luscious black-fruited palate with notes of pomegranate and hedgerow fruit. A seam of linear acidity adds freshness.

Savoury nuttiness

Famille Lieubeau, Clisson, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Loire, France 2015. £16.68, Justerini & Brooks, alc 12% For great value and relatively under-explored white wine, look to the southerly cru of Clisson, home of this textured, interesting wine. A soft, floral nose with grapefruit and marzipan gives way to a fresh, dry palate with mineral lemon notes and a rich, savoury nuttiness. Complex, aromatic and delicious.