Lockdown beating wines

Château Lafite’s southern concern shows much of the same characteristics of its bigger brother. There’s well-judged power balanced with finesse, with the level of fruit one would expect from the south of France.

This blend of Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc is one of the best value whites we've come across recently. It is fresh, grassy, clean, lightly aromatic, and highly refreshing.

The 2015 Petite Lune is in a beautiful place after 5 years. Notes of candied pineapple and a hint of wild honey on the nose, with a textured and silky, yet still lively palate. It's such a charming, giving wine to enjoy today. Lovely.

The 2017 Petite Lune is everything we want from everyday claret, and more. Notes of blueberries and fresh plums on the nose, with loads of finesse to the tannins and a very long and savoury finish. This is far more complex, concentrated, and pure than the price would suggest. Go long: it won’t disappoint.

Gallina de Piel is the winemaking project of David Seijas, the former Head Sommelier at three-Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli. He uses indigenous grapes to make fresh, savoury, food-friendly wines. This fits the bill perfectly, with a hint of grip on the palate, and a lovely, long, mouth-watering finish.

From the region of Slovenia that borders Italy, this is a beautifully floral, almost tropical white, with slightly honeyed notes. There’s a salinity here, that will make it a brilliant seafood white. Delicious.

There can be few more enjoyable wines than this Moscato, from the best place for the grapes in Piemonte, Canelli. Notes of grape essence and apple blossom, with honey and a hint of hazelnut, too. The sweetness is wonderfully balanced with acidity: this should be in everyone’s life.

Crisp acidity and drive on the palate give way to fresh flowers and crunchy pears. There’s so much complexity here, with notes of acacia and peach supported by crushed rocks and a hint of white pepper. Brilliant, and so moreish, you should stock up.

Juicy and fresh. Nice strawberry fruit, with a hint of clove adding complexity. Touch of tannin, with creamy fruit on the finish.

Aged for five years in bottle before release, this has developed brilliantly. Fresh acidity and citrus flavours are accompanied by more honeyed, toasty notes, with characteristic Semillon texture that finishes crisply and cleanly.

Lovely open nose of clove and fruit. It’s charming already: fresh, well balanced and the perfect introduction to Nebbiolo.

Michel Chapoutier is a towering talent in the Northern Rhône, producing some of France’s greatest wines. Quick to recognise the potential in this southern corner, his investment and dedication here make for a Roussillon red of excellent value. With notes of garrigue and fresh berries on the nose, a hint of tapenade, and focussed grippy tannins, this is a charming wine from Chapoutier.

A lovely floral element to the nose on this Riesling, with honeysuckle, and even rose petal shining through. There’s a beautiful creaminess to the fruit here: this is so approachable, and so delicious. The finish has notes of white peach, and a vibrancy and energy that’s hard to ignore. Excellent value.

From 120 year old Pais vines, made by a legendary vineyard mapper and soil scientist, who’s worked as a consultant at some of the world’s greatest estates. It’s a peppery, floral, fragrant red, with charming acidity and a long and pure-fruited finish. Absolutely delicious: a brilliant alternative to Gamay, or to lighter cool-climate Syrah.

The 2019 has a wonderful nose showing sun-ripened peaches and apricots, these delicious stone fruits give way to cool, refreshing acidity and juicy wild strawberries on the palate, transporting you immediately to a sunlit afternoon in the south of France.

A rare “northern” Côtes du Rhône, Alain makes this cuvée with young vines from Cornas and other parcels from just outside the region. Nice nose, creamed dark cherries and also a hint of dark pepper. Very nice finesse and good silky acidity. Impressive density and fine mineral. Rather delicious, and quite serious.

This Syrah comes from vines planted just above Ampuis, near the Côte Rôtie appellation. It is juicy and bursting with fruit. Ageing in old oak barrels means the expression is pure, energetic, and highly fruit driven. There is a salty, fresh, ripe minerality.. This wine punches way above his weight, and is a brilliant start for this young domaine.

A slightly more generous example, exotic but without being over the top. Lovely saline quality to the fnish, structure is lacy but amazing length. Amazing structure and balance. Lovely depth. Cool and fresh and so much energy. Beautifully balanced. 58 grams/litre.

A mix of 33% Cinsault from Darling and Stellenbosch, 30% Grenache, 21% Swartland Syrah and 16% Wellington Carignan , this is a fine yet powerful red, with so much energy and character. Named in honour of Franco’s dad, it’s a stunning tribute.

Very old Gamay vines produce this exceptional cuvée, which ages as well as most 1er Cru Pinot based wines. Wild strawberry, rose and a hint of blood orange notes abounding, this is dense and rich: a smart buy which would fool most in a blind taste.