100 AWEsome Wines - 2023 Edition

White - £12 and under

1) Tierra Sagrada Blanco 2021, La Mancha, Spain, Waitrose £6.99 An organic white wine from La Mancha, Spain which is made from Verdejo and Sauvignon Blanc. A fresh, crisp medium body dry white wine which was a standout success at a Spanish wine tasting and is very well priced. Anna Midcalf 2) Exklusiv Grüner Veltliner 2021, Ferdinand Mayr, Austria, The Wine Society £8.25 Textbook Grüner Veltliner, crisp, fresh and juicy, bursting with citrus rind, white pepper and fresh blossoms. A wine for anytime, anywhere, with or without food. A perfect alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and incredible value. Matthieu Longuerre 3) Le Celline Friulano 2021, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy, The Wine Society £9.50 This is a new introduction to The Wine Society’s range from north-eastern Italy. It is produced by a young winery that is focusing on enhancing the local grapes of the region. This Friulano is a great expression of the terroir. Pale lemon, with aromas of citrus, fresh almond and wildflowers. It is delicate and smooth on the palate and goes very well with fish-based dishes, pasta and cured ham, but is also very enjoyable as an aperitif. Giusy Andreacchio 4) Grant Burge Chardonnay 2021, Barossa Valley, Australia, Waitrose £9.99 Established in 1865 by Meshach Burge, and now headed by fifth-generation Grant Burge, the winery showcases this shining Chardonnay which exhibits the best of the cooler High Eden vineyards in Australia’s Barossa Valley. A rich and complex wine, it is mid-weight, has peach and pineapple fruit with hints of butterscotch and a creamy palate bolstered by crisp acidity. Elegant and fresh, the wine works well with fish and shellfish, poultry or pasta with pesto. Patricia Stefanowicz MW 5) Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Tesco, £10.00 Crisp and fresh, dry and unoaked with a vibrant citrus drive and grassy finish, this would be a perfect match for Thai-spiced and herb-centred dishes. Claire Blackler MW 6) Markus Huber Grüner Veltliner 2020 Single Estate, Traisental, Austria, Waitrose £10.79 This has all the cool stone fruit and white pepper freshness you would expect from a quality Grüner Veltliner. It also has an exciting mineral focus and persistence unusual for a wine at this price. Great on its own but also with fish, white meat and the ever-tricky asparagus! Nancy Gilchrist MW

7) Radford Dale Vinum Chenin Blanc 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Joseph Barnes £13.50 The Wine Society £10.95 This Chenin Blanc is from old bush vines located on the foothills of the magnificent Helderberg Mountain, facing the ocean, in a south and south-easterly orientation. These vines consistently produce some of the finest Chenin grapes in the Stellenbosch region. Yields are low and the grapes are picked and sorted by hand. This lively and aromatic white makes for a great partner to mildly spicy foods. Jonny Gibson 8) Château Dereszla Dry Tokaji 2020, Tokaj, Hungary, Armit Wines £11.50 We often associate Tokaj wines with the Puttonyos sweet version but don’t overlook the dry wines from the Furmint grape. Château Dereszla can be traced back to the 18th century and is highly regarded in the region. A wonderful pungent aromatic nose and flavours of orchard fruit, citrus and spice, it is well-balanced with a rich intensity of fruit. Try with Asian spices or smoked fish. Linda Simpson 9) Pascal Bellier Cheverny 2020, Loire, France, JN Wine £11.50 Made from 80% Sauvignon Blanc and 20% Chardonnay. This has a "new world" edge with some tropical passion fruit, grapefruit notes and some added depth of apple and citrus from the Chardonnay, as well as refreshing acidity. Alastair Bell 10) St Michael-Eppan Pinot Grigio 2021 Alto Adige, Italy, Waitrose £11.99 This is what Pinot Grigio should taste like. From the northern slopes of Italy, it is an expressive and powerful wine with lots of pear and lemon and a good clean finish. A great aperitif but will go with most fish and lighter chicken dishes, particularly with a creamy sauce. Carole Hazlehurst

Amber under £12

11) Tbilbino ‘Qvevris Rkatsitelli’ 2020 Kakheti, Georgia Majestic (mix 6) £10.99 An amber wine aged in traditional clay ‘qvevri’ vessels, rkatsitelli (re-KATS-ih-TEH-ly) grape skins have been kept in contact with the juice during fermentation, giving a faint amber hue and lots of savoury complexity. Expect a bone-dry wine with aromas of citrus peel, nuts and honey. An incredibly versatile food-wine, try if you like vintage Champagne or dry Sherry. Anjali Douglas

Rosé - £12 and under

12) M&S Found, Vinho Verde rosé 2021, Portgual, Marks & Spencer £7.50 If you love a rosé but fancy a change from the glut of the pinks of Provence then look no further than this super elegant and spritzy fruity pink from Marks & Spencer. Made by a family-owned and -run business, this is a rosé version of its famous sister, white Vinho Verde. Jam-packed with wild red berry fruits, which give way to a citrus lime edge and, at a lighter alcohol level is great for summer drinking whatever the weather! Abbie Bennington 13) Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé 2021, Pfalz, Germany, Adnams £11.49 Soft cherries and crushed raspberries combine to create this delightfully scented, delicately sweet rosé—partner with an aromatic pilaf or Lebanese-style mezze. Claire Blackler MW

Reds - £12 and under

14) Chianti Riserva 2018, Italy, Lidl £5.99 It is ridiculous that one can find a wine as complex as this at under £6 – so it’s worth making the most of! With aromas of fruitcake, tobacco and dried cherry, it does smell a little of Christmas – and yet still retains the vigour and freshness of a younger wine. Richard Bampfield MW 15) Incanta Pinot Noir 2020/2021, Romania, Majestic (mix 6) £6.49 In my opinion it is hard to beat this juicy fruit bomb of a Pinot for value for money. Produced in Romania but made by an Englishman, this vivacious red is light and easy-drinking and full of juicy cherry and raspberry fruits. Tor Reynolds 16) Campo Viejo Garnacha Rioja 2021, Rioja, Spain, Tesco £8.00, Morrisons £6.50 The innovative winemakers at Campo Viejo always deliver a good drink. This Rioja Garnacha, sourced largely from Rioja Oriental, is an easy-drinking style, exhibiting bright red berry fruit and vanilla oak. Medium weight, ‘light and bright’, the wine has crisp acidity and gentle grainy-textured tannins. Lovely fruit and integrated oak flavour give a simple, but rather elegant wine. A crowd-pleaser and delicious, it is an exceptional value wine that will pair well with fish and chips, red beans and rice, tapas or any dish with tomatoes. Patricia Stefanowicz MW 17) Calvet Prestige Côtes du Rhône Villages 2021, France, Tesco £7.50 Amazing value spicy, fruity red with richness and structure, which is crying out for grilled meats or sausages on the barbecue! Made from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Lovely deep ruby colour and soft ripe tannins. Richard Esling 18) Piccini Memoro Red 2020, Italy, Morrisons £8.50 Tesco £8.00, Sainsbury's £8.00 A skilful blend including some use of semi-dried grapes has created a very moreish combination reminiscent of ripe plums and fruitcake. Tannins are velvety but acidity is fresh. A really pleasing, approachable, good value red. Nancy Gilchrist MW

19) Bodegas La Eralta Altos de Bergasa Joven Rioja 2021, Rioja, Spain, Wickham Wine (mix six) £8.33 From the very old Bergasa vineyards along one of the gorges leading towards the Ebro in the very west of Rioja Oriental, this wine is superb. Mid-ruby in colour, expressive, with red cherry and strawberry, a tangerine note and cinnamon spice from oak, the well-defined palate is bolstered by zippy acidity and grippy tannins with creamy texture and a lingering finish. Lovely wine that will suit roast chicken, game birds or grilled pork loin and accommodate a variety of sauces. Patricia Stefanowicz MW 20) Roqueterre Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2019, Languedoc, France, Michael Sutton’s Cellar £8.50 Carignan was the workhorse grape of France in the 70s and those old vines still remaining are a prized resource. Often blended with other Mediterranean grapes, but when well-managed can produce great wines in its own right. Deeply concentrated black fruits, moderate tannins and hint of wild scrubland herbs, this wine has an attractive rustic charm. Relatively low alcohol too! Linda Simpson 21) Familie Mantler Zweigelt 2020, Austria, The Wine Society £9.25 An exceptionally well-priced example of Austria’s most widely planted red variety, showing lots of typical red fruit backed up with soft pepperiness. Exceptionally smooth, partly due to the fact that it was aged, unusually, in acacia barrels. Very versatile – enjoy on its own or with anything you’d ever pair with red. Tim Andrews 22) M&S Found Xinomavro & Mandilaria 2020, Naoussa and Santorini, Greece, Marks & Spencer £9.50 An unusual blend made by Apostolos Thymiopoulos, whose reputation for taming the Xinomavro grape’s high acidity and dry tannins, has given him the accolade of Greece’s star winemaker. The main component of the blend is Xinomavro grown in Naoussa in Northern Greece, with the lesser known Mandilaria from the island of Santorini. Together they create a vibrant, refreshing red with inky-mineral depth, sappy fruit tannins and flavours of red liquorice, juicy black berries and herbs. Perfect with any lamb dish such as Stifado, Moussaka or any Mediterranean styled food. Carolyn Bosworth-Davies 23) Domaine du Cros, Marcillac 'Lo Sang del Pais' 2020, Southwest France, The Wine Society £9.50 Fer Servadou, aka Mansois, is the grape behind the lifeblood (sang) of the steep, iron-rich slopes of the Aveyron in south-west France. Ruby-red, full in this exceptional vintage and rounded with raspberry and plum flavours to wash down a good saucisson. This is a perennial wine trade favourite with good reason. Great rapport qualité-prix! Jonny Gibson

24) Anselmo Mendes Pardusco 2020, Vinho Verde, Portugal, The Wine Society £9.75 Known best for its whites, there are also red wines labelled Vinho Verde. Admittedly, many can be somewhat challenging – but not this delicious one from renowned local producer Anselmo Mendes. Relatively light-bodied and soft but with plenty of red fruit and some herbal notes – stock up ready for the summer! Tim Andrews 25) Rui Madeira Beyra Tinto 2020, Beira Interior, Portugal, The Wine Society £9.95 From high altitude vineyards at over 2,000ft in the region of Beira Interior in Portugal, comes this wonderfully fragrant and fruity red. Made from a blend of native grape varieties: Tinta Roriz (same as Tempranillo), Touriga Nacional and Jaen, it is packed full of juicy berry fruit, underpinned by medium-body and soft tannins. Richard Esling 26) Les Nivières Saumur Rouge 2020, Loire Valley, France, Waitrose £9.99 Perfect if your preference is for a lighter-weight, fruit-forward red with gentle tannins, or for those just starting their red wine drinking journey. This Cabernet Franc delivers plenty of mouth-watering blackcurrant juiciness and a savoury lick of peppery spice. There are very few dishes this won't match well, and I like to chill it in the fridge for ten minutes, even in the cooler months. Patty Green 27) Stellenrust Stellenbosch Manor Cinsault 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Waitrose £9.99 Lovely aromas of dried cherries and potpourri with a very pale colour that reveals a beautiful, rich yet soft mouthfeel full of ripe summer fruits. Subtle tannins wrapped in sunshine! The finish? I don't know, I was too busy going back for more. An amazingly different wine. Jane Dooley

28) Doña Paula Los Cardos Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina, Dunnes Stores €10.00, Supervalu Ireland €11.49 Argentina is a powerhouse for quality fruit. Many of these are often hidden behind the shadow of its fabulous Malbec wine. The brilliance of its high-end Cabernet Sauvignon has been well fêted. Now its inexpensive styles are beginning to impress. Los Cardos shows a vibrant and structured black fruit quality that lasts well on the palate. Kevin Ecock 29) Château Maris Vieilles Vignes Organic Minervois 2020, Languedoc, France, Waitrose £10.99 Old vine Syrah sourced from the superior La Livinière slopes make this comparable to many a northern Rhône Cru at a fraction of the price (think serious Crozes-Hermitage, St Joseph and the like). Voluptuous curves, sumptuous autumnal black fruits cloaked in fragrant, smoky spice and lifted by a succulent finish. A powerful smoothie, made for roasted meat feasts or flavour-packed BBQ chargrills. Patty Green 30) Tesco Finest Valpolicella Ripasso 2016, Veneto, Italy, Tesco £11.00 An amazing price for this delicious wine with notes of cherry, dark fruits and chocolate as well as fine tannins giving it a lovely structure. Made from the classic Valpolicella varieties: Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, this wine is perfect with roast lamb or cheeses such dolcelatte or brie. Sue Eames 31) ‘Calice’ Donato d’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture 2018, Basilicata, Italy, The Wine Society £11.50 From young vineyards located at the foothills of the Vulture volcano at 500m comes this well-respected wine made entirely from the highly tannic Aglianico. Ruby with garnet hues, the wine shows red fruit on the nose, particularly red cherry and redcurrant. On the palate, the fruit is complemented by the fine tannins and notes of black pepper and tobacco. Hints of cloves and spice come from 18 months maturation in tonneaux. A classic example of Aglianico, perfect with roasted veg pasta or meat-based dishes, especially lamb. Giusy Andreacchio 32) Thymiopoulos Xinomavro 2018/19, Greece, Majestic (mix 6) £11.99 Genuinely one of the loveliest wines I have enjoyed this year. The Xinomavro grape is increasingly regarded as one of Greece’s most prestigious varieties. Often compared to Nebbiolo, this Xinomavro has more softness and blueberry fruit alongside a wonderful silky texture. If you love the flavours of red and black fruit, spice and herbs but like a bit more structure and grip and need a perfect food wine, this is it. Enjoy! Nina Cerullo and Anjali Douglas 33) DV Catena Historico Cabernet Franc 2019, Mendoza, Argentina, Tesco £12.00 Cabernet Franc can make sinewy, savoury fantastically fresh reds – but in Mendoza it shows its lusher, more succulent side. The historic Catena winery are masters at tempering tannins and creating approachable reds – and this is beautifully velvety and smooth with smoky oak notes. Rose Murray Brown MW

White - Over £12

34) Matetic Corralillo Casablanca Valley Riesling 2020, Chile, VINVM £12.30 Vibrant and intense dry Riesling from a cool region of Chile, with the vines just 18km from the cool Pacific Ocean. Noticeably limey on the palate with good fruit concentration overall and some stoniness and hint of that Riesling petrol. Great texture and incredible value from a top biodynamic producer. Richard Lane 35) Ontañón Tempranillo Blanco 2021, Rioja, Spain, Kwoff £12.49 A modern style of white Rioja, made from a mutation of black Tempranillo grapes discovered by chance in 1988. A delicious mouth-filling wine with intense, rich, ripe flavours of stone, tropical fruits and aromas of orange blossom. John Callow 36) Beaumont Family Wines Chenin Blanc 2022, Bot River, South Africa, The Wine Society £12.50 So fresh and light it is almost ethereal with an astonishing abundance of aromas: crisp apples, melon, citrus and stone fruits that carry through on to the palate. Every time I try it I find new flavours! A beautiful wine on its own or with light summer cuisine. Jane Dooley 37) Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho Contacto Vinho Verde 2021, Portugal, The Wine Society £12.95 A Vinho Verde which offers citrus and stone fruit notes underpinned with minerality and refreshing acidity. Its style derives from longer than average skin contact, hence its name. This is a wine that can be enjoyed on its own but is even better with food – especially seafood. Richard Goodacre 38) Château Le Coin Sauvignon Gris 2021, Bordeaux, France, Laithwaites £12.99 There are increased plantings every year in Bordeaux of this lovely grape Sauvignon Gris. A cousin to Sauvignon Blanc but although it has the freshness of Sauvignon Blanc, the rich mouthfeel, the spice and the stone fruit flavours are quite different. This wine never fails to impress whoever I serve it to. Nina Cerullo 39) ‘Ghost in the Machine’ 2019 Skin Contact Chenin Blanc, South Africa, Majestic (mix 6) €15.00/£12.99 This is a Bruce Jack wine that brings Chenin Blanc forward as a world class style from South Africa. The grapes have been ripened to perfection and then treated with extreme care so that we find fruit with a limed, herbal, bracing and creamed palate. This is truly enjoyable on a number of fronts and especially alongside spicy foods and shellfish. Kevin Ecock

40) La Confluant Famille Lieubeau Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2021, Loire Valley, France, The Good Wine Shop £13.50 From an organically farmed vineyard at the confluence of the rivers Sèvre and Maine, this is good-value, modern Muscadet at its best. Combining lemony and stony flavours with a touch of spritz. Fresh, light and dry, it spent 12 months on lees in underground tanks and has a characteristic salty touch on the finish. Wink Lorch 41) Mâcon Azé 2020, Louis Jadot, Burgundy, France, Waitrose £13.99 A consistently superior Mâcon in all its vintages. Dry, crisp, fresh, with plenty of ripe fruit, hints of pear and green apple, balanced by a flinty, refreshing finish. The 2020 also has a touch of minerality. It is unoaked, which enhances the vibrant fruit character. 100% Chardonnay from vineyards around the village of Azé, northwest of Mâcon, in southern Burgundy from Maison Louis Jadot and their revered winemaker, Jacques Lardière. Luisa Welch 42) Côtes du Roussillon Blanc, Coume Marie 2021, Domaine de la Préceptorie, France, The Wine Society £14.50 A full-bodied and spicy blend of old vine Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc from one of the leading producers in Collioure. Ripe, concentrated stone fruit flavours and a rich texture are enlivened by Grenache’s signature spiciness. This is a powerful white from a region more famous for its red wines - and one that will partner white meat and rich fish dishes very well. Outstanding value. Pippa Hayward 43) Aslina Chardonnay 2021, Western Cape, South Africa, Majestic (mix 6) £14.99 Aslina’s winemaker, Ntsiki Biyela, masterfully blends parcels of Chardonnay grapes from premium sites in cooler Elgin and warmer Stellenbosch regions, resting the Elgin fruit in oak for 8 months. The result is a beautifully balanced, peachy, lightly spiced wine with enough acidity to cut through a roast chicken dinner – a match made in heaven! Anjali Douglas

44) Château de Fesles La Chapelle Vielles Vignes Chenin Sec 2017, Loire, France, The Wine Company NI £15.00 I have tasted some great Chenin Blanc wines lately, but I think this one is awesome from one of the best producers in the Loire. Particularly renowned for their sweet Bonnezeaux, this a bone-dry style with some age but still fresh with crisp apple acidity, some weight and a lovely honeyed note too. Alastair Bell 45) L’Emigré Blanc 2020, Bordeaux, France, Virgin Wines £15.99 Blended especially for Virgin Wines by British and New Zealander, husband and wife team, Nicola and Sean Allison of Château du Seuil in the Graves area of Bordeaux. Unoaked and fresh with lively, rounded fruit character, this wine is as elegant as the presentation suggests. Laura Clay 46) Schloss Reinhartshausen Rheingau Riesling Trocken 2020, Germany, The Winebarn £16.30 Many still think of German wine as sweet. But in recent years, dry (Trocken) wines have become fashionable. This Riesling is a fine example, made on the banks of the river Rhine at an ancient castle where winemaking dates back to 1337. But there’s nothing old-fashioned about it. It’s organic, dry and comes with a screw cap. Silver-coloured peach and apple scents are insinuating. The steely palate is elegant and sophisticated, while hints of apricot and mirabelle tingle the tongue. It’s ripe and full yet has remarkable precision and tension. A long dry finish then leaves you feeling refreshed. Great with all kinds of fish. Paul Howard

47) Soave Classico Inama Vigneti Carbonare 2019, Italy, 8Wines £16.40 Not your typical Soave: much more acidity, and lean - but the fruit is ripe, with pears and golden apples and a hint of honey. Long persistent finish. A great price for this high-quality wine. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW 48) Domaine Chevallier Bernard Roussette de Savoie 2020, Savoie, France: various independents (The Wine Reserve, Hedonism, Bowland Forest Vintners etc) £16.50-£17.90 Roussette de Savoie is the appellation for the Altesse grape, which expresses itself in a very exuberant way when grown in Jongieux above the Rhône river. A floral and honeyed bouquet leads on to tropical fruit on the off-dry palate with a streak of fresh acidity – try it with mildly spiced Asian food. Wink Lorch 49) Chaffey Bros. “Kontrapunkt“ Kerner 2019, Eden Valley, Australia, The Great Wine Co £16.65 The Kerner grape is a result of crossing Riesling and Trollinger. This aromatic wine starts with crisp apple which leads to balancing citrus fruits – a wonderful counterpoint or “kontrapunkt” as its name suggests. The palate is fresh and nicely textured with a long, dry finish. Richard Goodacre 50) Sanzon Tokaj Classic Furmint 2018, Hungary, Novel Wines £17.99 For people who like acidity, Furmint is the grape for you. Historically associated with luscious sweet wines, the Tokaj region is now making exciting dry wines. This wine comes from an organic boutique producer and is rich yet taut with lots of flavour. Ginger, honey, along with nectarine and limey zest and with intense concentration and a long aftertaste. It makes a great food wine, pairing best with strong flavoured foods from tomato-based dishes to sushi. YUM! Carolyn Bosworth-Davies 51) Horizonte de Exopto Blanco 2021, Rioja, Spain, Vinissimus £18.30 A truly exciting and textured white Rioja, with citrus fruit, a hint of anis and some mineral grip, giving it great drinkability. It’s a field blend of Malvasia, Viura and Garnacha Blanca from four different vineyards where white varieties were traditionally interplanted with the red. In the past these grapes would have been subsumed into the red blend – how lucky we are to taste them in all their glory now. Heather Dougherty 52) Christina Ascheri Langhe Arneis 2020, Italy, The Great Wine Co £18.50 One of my favourite white wines from a visit to Piedmont in 2019. A very underrated grape variety and great for lunchtime meals. Refreshing, with lemon zest, a gentle slight spritz but some weight and concentration. Pear and starfruit with a deliciously bitter twist on the finish. Alastair Bell 53) Ramon Bilbao 'Limite Norte' 2018, Rioja, Spain, The Great Wine Co £19.95 This is a 50/50 blend of two local white varieties, Tempranillo Blanco and Maturana Blanca. Tempranillo Blanco is a natural mutation of Tempranillo Tinta and was discovered in 1988, whereas the first mention of Maturana Blanca in Rioja dates back to 1622. Fragrant with jasmine, ripe pear and citrus, this is medium-bodied, dry and tangy with a delicious purity of fruit and sensitive oak. The finish is lingering and mineral. Carol Brown

54) Creation Chardonnay 2019 Hemel-En-Aarde Valley, South Africa, Creation Wines online £20.00 “Heaven-On-Earth” near the picturesque seaside town of Hermanus is home to Chardonnay, and this is exceptional with subtle cool apple, pear and hints of vanilla in perfect harmony with creamy lemon bruleé richness and texture. Fruity and gently spiced for a satisfying sip, excellent balance and a lively, lingering aftertaste. A knockout! Winifred Bowman

55) Kassai Single Vineyard Kikelet Hárslevelű 2018, Tokaj, Hungary, Wanderlust Wine £20.00 Loire-born Stephanie Berecz came to Tokaj to work for the French-owned Disznoko winery. She set up her own winery in 2002 with just 5 hectares, specialising in the Hárslevelű grape. This is one of the best examples in Tokaj - with rich peach spicy notes, a lush succulent palate with bitter almond hints from the south-facing 220 metre altitude Kassai vineyard. Rose Murray Brown MW 56) Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2021, New Zealand, The Wine Society, Berry Bros, Farr Vintners, Lay & Wheeler £20-22.00 A perennial favourite of many vintages, the 2021 Estate Chardonnay has buttery, toasty, citrus aromas. On the palate there is subtle oak, crisp acidity and good concentration of fruit. Still young and will develop over the next 5-10 years. One of THE bargain Chardonnays of the world. Christos Ioannou 57) Quinta dos Carvalhais Dão Encruzado 2021, Portugal, London End Wines £22.00 Encruzado is one of Portugal's great white grapes, mostly grown in the hills of Dão, its native region. 40% of this this is rounded and softened by 8 months maturing in different sizes of old and new French oak barrels. It has lovely acidity and flavours of lemon and peach. Charles Metcalfe 58) Constantia Glen, Two 2019 Constantia, South Africa, RAKQ £23.00 This classy blend of Sauvignon and Semillon has freshness, great body and well-knitted oak for complexity and roundness. Upfront lemon, grapefruit, beeswax and green pea unfold on the palate for a full rounded, textured taste sensation. Elegant, sophisticated & perfect for freshly grilled fish. From the valley where South African winemaking started. Winifred Bowman 59) Rall White 2020, South Africa, VINVM £23.80 Donovan Rall is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s winemaking stars. There isn’t a wine he’s made which I haven’t adored. This is a blend of carefully selected Chenin Blanc, Verdelho and Viognier expressing complex aromas of flowers and yellow plums. It sings in the mouth of lemon sherbet and green apples finishing with a fresh salinity. Drink now or keep, either works. I’m doing both. Laura Clay

Amber over £12

60) Solomone Tsitaka–Tsolikouri–Krakhune 2021, Imereti, Georgia, Naked Wines £22.99 A wonderful introduction to Georgian amber wines with notes of green apple, pear, white plum and apricot plus a depth and richness with notes of apple and pear skin. A perfect balance of these three local grapes. Such an elegant wine and perfect as an aperitif or with chicken or oriental dishes. Sue Eames

Rosé - over £12

61) Kedros Liatiko Rosé 2021, Lyrarakis, Crete, Greece, The Wine Society £13.50 Pitch-perfect freshness, delicate pink and a mouthful of mashed red berries - this dry and elegant rosé is such an enjoyable alternative to Provence. The Lyrarakis estate has worked wonders for winemaking on Crete - while showcasing the island’s own grape varieties like Liatiko. And the bottle is suitably pretty too. Pippa Hayward

Reds - over £12

62) Maison Lavau, Côtes du Rhône Villages Valréas, La Décelle 2019, France, Cellar Selected £12.30 Located in the Enclave des Papes in Valréas on clay-limestone soils, this wine comprises 50% Syrah and 50% Grenache. Showing a deep ruby-purple colour and red and black fruits with smoke, tar-like and black pepper overtones and an ethereal violet lift, the palate has bright acidity, silky-textured tannins, deep flavours, and lingering spice. A lovely wine which will pair well with dark meats, cassoulet or a variety of exotic saucissons. Patricia Stefanowicz MW 63) McManis Family Petite Sirah 2020, Lodi, California, The Wine Society £12.50 Deeply coloured, almost brooding, with a distinct blackberry and blueberry nose and a smoky edginess. The supportive, well integrated tannins and oaky notes make this a great wine to go with barbequed food. At the price this is really good value Californian wine. Richard Goodacre 64) Argento Finca Altamira single-vineyard organic Malbec 2019, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina, All About Wine £13.39 This Fairtrade Malbec is made by Argento, sourced from their organic single vineyard in Mendoza at a high altitude in the foothills of the Andes. A vivacious purple-red, with typical Malbec aromas of blackcurrant, blackberry and black cherry. Great Malbec has a scent of Parma violets, and that’s here too. There’s also an intriguing herbal tang before a long mineral finish. It has good balance, and plenty of juicy acidity keeps it fresh. Tannins are all smoothed off, while the potent alcohol is well hidden. One of the best value wines you’ll find, so express your inner Gaucho! Paul Howard 65) Wakefield Estate Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, Australia, Wine Direct £13.50 Wonderfully expressive Cabernet Sauvignon, ripe yet firm with delicious blackcurrant and blueberry fruit and a hint of oak spice. As entry level cabs go this is hard to beat, with the Wakefield name frequently cropping up as medal winners or as runners-up in cab competitions. Richard Lane 66) Château Villa Bel Air 2016, Graves, Bordeaux, France, Berry Bros & Rudd £14.36 It’s always great when our merchants take the time to age a wine for us, or at the very least, bring a wine to us with some age on it! Owned by the Cazes family since 1988, Villa Bel Air is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot blend, stainless steel fermented and oak aged. A brilliant and youthful bouquet of fresh fruit and an expressive palate held wonderfully together by supple tannins to a delicious finish. Kevin Ecock 67) Quinta do Escudial Reserva, 2016 Dão, Portugal, The Wine Society £14.50 Portugal offers extraordinary value for money. There’s been so much growth and investment in recent years, but prices haven’t caught up yet with quality. This is a beautifully fragrant wine with concentrated dark fruit and spice, no oak, just the flavour of the grapes and perfect food matching bite. If you are a foodie, this is your type of wine! Nina Cerullo

68) Domaine des Espiers, Côtes du Rhône 2020, France, Stone, Vine & Sun £14.75 This is no ordinary Côtes du Rhône and fully justifies its price tag. The wine is organically certified, and blends Grenache (60%) and 20% each of Mourvèdre and Syrah. Produced in large cement tanks with no oak, it exudes wonderful raspberry fruit, aromatic freshness, lots of spice and a note of liquorice. It has more structure and weight than most generic Côtes du Rhône, whilst still being hugely drinkable. Like a little brother to Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Gigondas. Carolyn Bosworth-Davies 69) Journey's End Sir Lowry Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, South Africa, Waitrose £14.99 This South African beauty is bold, complex and packed full of rich black fruits with notes of chocolate and spice. Made by an estate owned by a British family and with impressive ethical and sustainability credentials. Tor Reynolds

70) Maison Bouachon Vacqueyras 2020, Rhône, France, Majestic (mix 6) £14.99 This is a full-bodied Southern Rhône wine, with a typical blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, from the Boisset stable. Lovely flavours of black fruits and spice, with a touch of raspberry thrown in, it is both complex and elegant, a wine for an evening in front of the fire. Carole Hazlehurst 71) Bodegas Beronia Rioja Reserva DOCa 2017, Spain, Majestic (mix 6) £15.99, Waitrose £14.99 This Rioja Reserva blends 93% Tempranillo, 6% Graciano, and 1% Mazuelo from 40–60-year-old vines. Maturation was for 18 months in special barrels that combine French and American oak, with a further 18 months in the bottle before release. Plum-coloured, with red berry, plum, liquorice and nutty aromas. The palate is smooth with good balance, aided by fresh acidity, finally giving way to a long finish showing brown spices. The oak treatment shows a vanilla sweetness which will integrate further if kept. Brilliant with lamb, it offers terrific quality and value. Paul Howard

72) Lunaria Ruminat Primitivo 2021, Terre di Chieti, Italy, Fountainhall Wines £15.99 Primitivo is usually found in the 'heel of the boot' region of Puglia, but this vibrant biodynamic example comes from a little further up the east coast, in Abruzzo. There's an intense purity of fruit with black cherry, blackcurrant, herbs and spice, fragranced with mint. It's juicy summer pudding berries in a glass with soft tannins and a balancing acidity. Carol Brown 73) Rustenberg John X Merriman 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Waitrose £16.99 A delicious Bordeaux-style wine with red and black fruits, great depth and warmth. The main variety is Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot, giving the wine great structure and the ability to match perfectly to roast beef or steak. Sue Eames 74) Soito Wines Estate Red 2016, Dão, Beiras, Portugal, Corking Wines £17.20 Dão wines used to be more famous than the still wines from the Douro, and this wine illustrates why. Seven years of ageing has softened the tannins in this blend of Alfrocheiro, Jaen, Tinta Roriz and Touriga Nacional, and helped the nose to develop into a heady mix of dried red berries and pot pourri. It would be perfect with fragrant Mediterranean dishes. Matthieu Longuerre

75) Olga Raffault Chinon Les Barnabés 2019, Loire, France, JN Wine £17.50 A refreshing Beaujolais-style red from around the beautiful town of Chinon in the Loire Valley from mainly sandy soils. Juicy fresh raspberry and red fruits. Light to medium body with a little tannin grip and some of that leafy note from the Cabernet Franc grape typical of this region. Great on its own, with snacks or white meat and pork dishes. Alastair Bell 76) Grangehurst Pinotage 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa, Good Wine Online £17.99 Jeremy Walker releases his wines when he believes they are ready and his motto is "Unhurried ". Here we have a beautiful example of the potential of Pinotage given that extra time! Deep colour with lots of red berries entwined with oak spices and silky tannins. Jane Dooley 77) Lirac Rouge Baron Louis 2018, Château de Montfaucon, Rhône, France, The Wine Society £18.00 Once much more famous than Châteauneuf-du-Pape across the river, Lirac remains a source of great value in the Southern Rhône. Montfaucon make complex, elegant and age-worthy reds and whites using exactly the same varieties, often ageing them longer than is usual before release. Baron Louis is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Counoise, Mourvèdre and Carignan, gently oaked to showcase the natural fruit and spice of the Rhône. Terrific value. Pippa Hayward 78) Pizzini Pietra Rossa 2019, Victoria, Australia, The Wine Society £18.50 Made from that most famous of all Italian red grapes – Sangiovese – but coming from the King Valley area in Victoria, Australia. The Pizzini family have been growing Sangiovese for over 25 years. A complex, elegant and seductive wine, with plum, cherry and earthy notes, great concentration and vibrant freshness. Charming, complex, top end Sangiovese which is first class value for money. Richard Esling

79) The High Road Classique 2017 Stellenbosch, South Africa, www.rakq.co.uk £18.50 From the home of Stellenbosch, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon with 55% Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec is beautifully poised, elegant and refined and punches way above its price point, especially in an exceptional red wine vintage in South Africa. Gorgeous deep blueberry and plum fruit, cool leafiness, violet floral perfume and aromas. Well-balanced and polished fine oak integration with a refreshing long savoury finish. A true classic! Winifred Bowman

80) Waipara West Cabernet Franc 2018, New Zealand, Lant Street Wine £18.80 It is perhaps surprising that there isn't more Cabernet Franc from New Zealand, given its cool to moderate climate. This 100% Cabernet Franc from Waipara West on the South Island manages to combine the tautness of the Loire with something deeper and plummier in the mid-palate, well balanced with refreshing acidity and fine tannins, backed up with some new French oak maturation. Impressive vineyard and winery work on show here. Richard Lane 81) Bandol, Domaine Dupuy de Lôme 2019, France, The Wine Society £19.00 Beautiful nose of plums, berries and floral notes; soft and round with silky tannins, medium-bodied with good length. An elegant expression of Mourvèdre and a very moreish wine. Christos Ioannou 82) La Rioja Alta 'Viña Ardanza' Rioja Reserva 2012/15, Spain, Majestic (mix 6) £24.99 A true gem in a sea of great Riojas. Viña Ardanza must be one of the golden greats showcased from one of the most prestigious Rioja Bodegas. A classic blend of Garnacha and Tempranillo made from older vines and aged for 3 years in oak. This silky smooth and rich reserva is packed with red fruits and spice that elevates it into the stratosphere of great red riojas for under the £30 mark. Abbie Bennington 83) Sordo Verduno Pelaverga DOC 2020, Piedmont, Italy, Woodwinters £25.00 An almost extinct variety today brought back to life thanks to the exhaustive efforts of some producers in Piedmont. The Pelaverga wine, from Sordo, in this instance specifically made from Pelaverga Piccolo (‘small’) grapes grown exclusively in the Verduno area, is produced on Tortonian soil made of fine and light marls, from 30 year old vines in the winery’s 18ha vineyard area. The wine is made in stainless steel, where it stays for circa 6 months before bottling. A ruby red colour wine, with fragrant and intense red fruit aromas, especially cherries. On the palate, it is dry, with medium acidity, moderate tannins, flavours of red fruits and a remarkable spicy element which goes on until the end. It goes well with local pasta dishes and cheeses. Giusy Andreacchio

Sparkling - Under £35

84) M&S Found Blanquette de Limoux, Languedoc, France, Marks & Spencer £10.00 Made using the same method as Champagne, this moreish fizz from the foothills of the Pyrenees is an excellent alternative to Crémant and Cava. The local Mauzac grape adds honey and gently cooked green apple to the blend. Pair with any occasion! Tim Andrews 85) Blanquette de Limoux Réserve 2020, Antech, Languedoc, France, The Wine Society £11.50 A blend of 90% Mauzac grapes with Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc from the historic Antech winery; made by the traditional method with 18 months on lees, surprisingly rich on the palate with nutty lemony depth and just a hint of sweetness. Great value too. Rose Murray Brown MW 86) Graham Beck Brut NV South Africa, Waitrose £14.99, Majestic (mix 6) £11.99 This wine always impresses with its beautiful fruit profile, rich and decadent palate and is a steal at the price. Made in the 'Cap Classique' method from one of South Africa's finest bubbly producers, this is always a safe bet as an aperitif wine or to match with a wide range of foods. Tor Reynolds 87) Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire Rosé NV, Loire, France, Tesco £12.00 Champagne-method Crémant is the fizz du jour, and this is my go-to. Pale and interesting, a persistent elegant mousse with refreshing redcurrant fruit and a biscuity edge. The blend includes Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay, and is from one of the region's most reliable producers. Don't keep it just for celebrations! Patty Green 88) Crémant d’Alsace Cuvée Brut, Cave de Turckheim, Alsace, France, Waitrose £13.49 A delicious Crémant made from Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris with refreshing notes of pink grapefruit and lychee. Perfect with canapes or just as an aperitif. Having visited the Cave de Turckheim recently, I am hoping that Waitrose soon stock the Crémant rosé which is a delight. Sue Eames 89) Torres Santa Digna Estelado Rosé Sparkling Wine, Uva País, Chile, many independents, including Soho Wine £14-15.00 País was the original black grape brought to the Americas by missionaries and was despised for centuries. Torres Chile has made a delightful, light-footed fizz, with echoes of red fruits, dry and appetising. A hint of rhubarb on the finish underlines its freshness. Charles Metcalfe

90) Cave de Lugny Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Blancs, Burgundy, France, Waitrose £14.99 Crémant wines are a great choice when it comes to sparkling wines made in the méthode traditionelle and with a sense of place. This one, from the highly acclaimed producer Cave de Lugny in Burgundy, offers rich and creamy mouth filling apple and citrus flavours and a fresh, crisp finish. Linda Simpson 91) Cava Roger Goulart Brut Nature Reserva 2018, Spain, Vinissimus £15.80 This is a serious fizz, like many Cavas are, made in a traditional style with local grape varieties and extended ageing. It being a Brut Nature means that there is no added sugar, allowing the fruit flavours to take centre stage along with a pastry creaminess. Elegant and harmonious, this is a wine which can be enjoyed just as well with food as it can as an aperitif. Laura Clay 92) Cava Guilera Xarel.la Brut Gran Reserva 2014, Penedès, Spain, Ultracomida £23.95 Xarel.lo is one of the three classic Cava grape varieties, and probably the one with the most exciting prospects for quality. This feminised (and organic) Xarel.la is a delight: light on its feet with delicately appley fruit, but with an underlying mineral, earthy note. This is a magical combination of a crowd pleaser which will also appeal to wine nerds – what more could you want? Heather Dougherty 93) Davenport Vineyards Limney Estate 2016, Davenport Vineyards, England, The English Vine £29.99 Will Davenport is one of the originals of the new English wine scene. His vineyards were planted in 1991 and have been certified organic since 2000. The 2016 newly released estate cuvée is made from 80% Chardonnay, 12% Pinot Noir and 8% Pinot Meunier. With 5 years maturing in the bottle on lees, it has plenty of yeast character combined with surprisingly youthful fruit. This is a wine that is delicious now and will develop further over the long term. Jonny Gibson

94) Winding Wood Sparkling Brut 2018, England, online from the vineyard £31.50 This is an English sparkler from a small vineyard near Hungerford, Berkshire. The 2018 vintage was perfect in every way for this wine, which has a pale colour, a hint of apples on the nose and a touch of acidity on the palate which softens to give a toasty note with a rich mouthfeel and long finish. The wine is 62% Chardonnay and 38% Pinot Noir. Brian Davis

Sweet and fortified

95) Vito Curatolo Arini Marsala Superiore Dolce 5 Anni, Italy, Waitrose £11.99 Amber in colour; intense aromas of dried fruits, honeysuckle and sultanas with a floral lift; fine, delicate palate with perfect balance. A step up in quality from most similar styles often used for cooking! Served slightly chilled to go with chocolate desserts or blue cheese. Christos Ioannou 96) Château La Rame, Sainte Croix du Mont 2018, France, Majestic (50cl) (mix 6) £12.99 A great alternative to Sauternes, from just the other side of the Garonne River. Made by the same method, this luscious dessert wine has ripe stone fruit, candied peel and honey, with enough balancing acidity to make it perfect with blue cheese, a rich creamy cheesecake, or just on its own. Carole Hazlehurst 97) Domaine des Forges Côteaux du Layon Chaume 2018, Loire, France, Justerini & Brooks (50cl) £11.98 (equivalent price for 6 bottles) Moreton Wine Merchants (50cl) £13.99 Sweet wines from the Loire remain one of the absolute bargains of the wine world. Made from late harvest Chenin Blanc grapes in a Loire vintage that is judged as “legendary” in some quarters, this offers notes of lime marmalade, toast and opulent quince, underlined by terrific acidity. This is absolutely delicious now, but please don’t buy just one bottle, as these wines can age for decades and you would kick yourself if you didn’t have extras to squirrel away. Heather Dougherty 98) Rivesaltes Ambré, Le Temps d’un Oubli, Domaine de Rancy, Roussillon, France, The Wine Society (50cl) £18.00 Candied orange peel, dried apricots and a touch of caramel. Sweet with balanced acidity, rich mouthfeel and long finish. Fantastic with both cheese and apricot flan. Michelle Cherutti-Kowal MW 99) Disznókő - Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, Hungary, Waitrose (37.5cl) £19.99 This exquisite dessert wine is made from local grape varieties: Furmint, Zéta and Hárslevelú which are fermented and macerated with aszú (noble rot) berries to infuse richness and botrytis character into the wine, before being aged for two years in oak barrels. It has a deep golden colour with long viscous legs and pronounced aromas of Seville orange marmalade, dried apricot and candied peel. The palate is bursting with intense flavours of orange syrup, caramelised pineapple and Manuka honey with a touch of vanilla. It has a silky texture with luscious sweetness and vivacious acidity which gives freshness. This is pure nectar in a glass! Tantalisingly good with blue cheese or chocolate. Rebecca Mitchell

100 great value wines as recommended by wine professionals