9. PINOT GRIGIO

Ah, pinot grigio – how we love to hate you, because you disappoint more often than you please us. Inexpensive PG is usually too hollow and lacklustre to warrant a second look, so I worked extremely hard to find some worthy wines, and the successful trio stunned the judges with their accuracy and flair. Thank goodness for that! 2017 Brancott, Pinot Grigio MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND (£8, Morrisons) Who’d have thought that a New Zealand PG would nip into first place? Actually, to be honest, I thought that it might do well because I remember being flabbergasted at this wine when I tasted it two months ago at the Morrisons press tasting. It seems that the panel agreed because they were all singing its praises. Stunningly refreshing and pure, this is a massively impressive wine and it will appeal to every single palate in the country.

2017 Yalumba, Y Series Pinot Grigio SOUTH AUSTRALIA (£9, reduced to £8

until 11 December, Co- op) The fact that a Kiwi PG made headlines is all the more exciting when a wine from over the Tasman Sea joined it on the podium! Y Series is a wondrous wine and it shows that the Aussies can turn their hands to all classic wine styles and come up smiling.

2017 Forte Alto, Pinot Grigio, Vigneti delle Dolomiti TRENTINO, ITALY

(£9.79, Waitrose) This is a very worthy wine indeed from Italy, the home of pinot grigio. It has a slightly slimmer frame than the other two wines and a scintillating dry finish thanks to the chilly Trentino nights which underpin the lipsmacking acidity in this wine.