WINE LIST

A brace of gorgeous grillos lead this week’s parade of French and Italian beauties

1

2017 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Sur Lie, Chateau du Cléray, Haute Culture, Loire, France

£11.95, fromvineyards direct.com I’m a fan of muscadet, the classic French white wine for seafood and crustacea. This is top-class, with layers of sea spray and citrus notes – a celestial style given its amazing value for money. Take the plunge.

2 2017 Valpolicella, Allegrini, Veneto, Italy

£11.50, thewinesociety.com Allegrini is a legendary producer in Valpolicella circles and this wine is the first rung on the ladder of their incredible portfolio. Sensational in every respect, this plum, cherry and damsonscented wine has a silky texture and a long finish.

3 2017 When In Rome, Grillo, Sicily, Italy

£25.99 for a 2.25 litre box, Waitrose The first of this week’s two wines made with the brilliant grillo grape, this is a cracker, coming in a box that keeps its freshness so you can be assured of a decent, layered, refreshing glass without the pressure of having to finish the bottle.

4 2017 Pinot Grigio, St Michael-Eppan, Alto Adige, Italy

£11.99, reduced to £8.99 until 22 January, Waitrose Pounce on this wine because the deal brings it down to the ‘very good value indeed’ category. Crystalline and vibrant in the glass, this is a nervetingling pinot grigio, ticking all of the flavour boxes.

5 2016 Plan de Dieu, Côtes du Rhône Villages, Domaine de la Meynarde, France £10, M&S

This is a brilliant wine – the silky texture and harmonious fruit make it irresistible. Rhône reds are often rustic and earthy, but Meynarde has polished this wine to such a degree that it shines in the glass.