A blend of different sites from across the Rheingau, this is a step into the world of Eva Fricke - and it is an exciting one at that. A vibrant pulse of acidity lies at the heart of the wine, but there is ample fruit too with juicy white peach and ripe red apple. Subtle white flowers and ocean spray with a lift of citrus peel too. Such a refreshing glass, it is difficult to imagine a more appealing glass of Riesling.

This tantalising wine has been made especially for Lay & Wheeler from the deep sand and Löess soils from the Sandgrube vineyard. The nose displays wonderful aromas of citrus, crushed shells and white pepper. The acidity is crisp and refreshing, with an attractive saline palate. Such a great example of the indigenous grape, Grüner Veltliner, produced by a grower that is greatly admired in the region.

This is such a joyful, fragrant style of Syrah that is full of charm coming from vines planted just beyond the limits of the Côte-Rôtie appellation. The 2023 is another success showing classic aromatics of red cherry, wild herbs and a little pepper note. There floral notes of peonies and violets mingle with the fruit and there is much freshness and juiciness through the palate. This is so easy to enjoy!

Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson MW are among New Zealand’s most dynamic winemakers. With more that forty years joint experience making wine in New Zealand and further afield, they know better than most where to find the best parcels of grapes, to craft into refined, characterful wines. So we were thrilled when they agreed to work with us on Our Collection, using grapes grown in a single vineyard in the Dillons Point sub-region. This is a brilliant example of a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, that has lots of the upfront fruit you’d expect from the style, but with an added layer of minerality and complexity. It really is a cut above.

Magali Combard’s wines from Figuière have quickly become a go-to on our list. Her signature cuvée is so well balanced and refreshing, you’ll be reaching for another glass in no time. It is pale salmon pink, and has a beautifully expressive nose, with notes of fresh citrus, strawberries, and dried herbs. The palate is silky smooth, with a fresh pink grapefruit energy. It is the perfect Provençal rosé, and a brilliant price.

2024 was a very dry season giving rise very low yields but with added concentration. This is a blend of 6 vineyards each with their own range of styles. A true benchmark Chardonnay with layers of complexity. 20% new French barrels, there is a subtle flinty note, orange peel, fresh apricot and orchard fruit, with notes of acacia and blossom. Bright and zesty on the palate the finish is long and mouthwatering.

Montaiguillon’s 2020 is another resounding success, continuing a string of excellent vintages at the estate. It is a deep ruby colour with notes of spiced plums, cassis and blackberries on the nose. There’s a savoury, graphite note woven through the juicy, sumptuous palate. Its rounded tannins are already integrated with the plump fruit, and the finish has a fresh, balanced length, the likes of which you’d expect from wines with much bigger price tags.

Bright, fresh and floral, with hints of wild berries. There is a juicy concentration on the core and the wine displays great structure for a Nebbiolo.

From a site on the top of the hill, this really is an Arneis apart. So mineral, fresh, with a fine thread of acidity, and such texture on the finish. This is wonderfully judged: it’s fresh, fine, and utterly delicious.

This delicious white comes from a plot of limestone soil high up on the hill. It’s floral, mineral and zippy, with fantastic energy. This delivers the quality and complexity of a village wine for the price not far off others’ Bourgogne Blancs.

Hard to put down. At first it is pretty, floral and inviting on the nose. The palate abounds with densely packed stone fruit flavours, cut through by a fresh, taut line of acidity, showing wonderful tension. It comes from three neighbouring parcels near the cellar, from vines with an average age of 45 years. The additional clay in the soil here gives added depth and length to this cuvée.

Most of the fruit comes from the Côte de Nuits, with the majority from around Nuits itself, with the balance from the Côte de Beaune. The fruit is the star of the show here - strawberries, raspberries, red plum. It is a fresh and crunchy style of bourgogne, with enough bite to give it a vibrant length. It should drink well from a young age. And it’s an absolute bargain.

Thibaud Chevré is a seriously exciting young talent in the Loire. His father spent a magnificent career working with Thierry Germain, and this wonderful vineyard - Clos de l'Ecotard - was the first parcel the father-and-son team bought. It's found right on the edge of the Saumur’s border with Anjou, and its highly active limestone and clay soil produces taut and nervous wines that reverberate with tension and energy, even in warmer years. They only use horses to plough it, but the extra hard work is worth it. The 2022 continues to see them realising the toil of the past decade, bringing to fruition a truly magnificent Chenin Blanc. It is so pretty and expressive, bursting with chalky, saline focus and texture, and a flash of green pineapple freshness. A brilliant Chenin Blanc. Exclusive to Lay & Wheeler in the UK.

A blend of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha, all from estate fruit, the 2019 Ardanza is an exceptional wine this vintage showing both the modern and classical side of this well established Rioja house. This opens with a very classical nose of coconut, vanilla and bright, spiced red berry fruit. There is excellent definition to the floral notes of violets with subtle aromas of dill and dried herbs. The tannins are ripe, with a fine, powdery grip and the finish is so long and bright.

This is bursting with floral freshness. As always, Luc says it showed the best balance between acidity and pH in the cellar, meaning the wine tastes vibrant and fresh without being overly bracing and acidic. Pieuchaud is a flinty-soiled lieu-dit in the commune of Thauvenay in the south-east of the Sancerre appellation. Luc decided to isolate this vineyard after noting it always produced fruit with great maturity whilst maintaining that high acidity - the secret to single vineyard wines in his opinion. It is saline and savoury with layers of mineral tension, making it an excellent food wine with plenty of ageing potential.

One of the pioneers of the modern Greek wine revolution Gaia Estate was established in 1994 by Greek winemakers Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos. An appetising and vivid rosé with an intense and aromatic profile, Agiorgitiko (a fragrant red wine grape native to Greece's Peloponnese Peninsula) wavers between delicate floral notes of rose petals and fruity flavours of pomegranate and strawberry. Vibrantly fresh with a deliciously refreshing finish, it is the perfect aperitif wine, but also paired with light summer dishes or Asian cuisine.

An elegant and precise style of Assyrtiko there are notes of lemon blossom, verbena and citrus peel. Some wild herbal notes of wild thyme and mint complement the fresh grapefruit fruit with a little hint of peach and lemon oil. This is saline, fresh and vibrant. A wine that is difficult to resist.

This is a Viognier that delivers the hallmark freshness and brightness that is the signature of the Bott wines. The vines for this wine are grown on granite soils at around 300m of altitide. It is beautifully fragrant with notes of apricot and acacia with a refreshing zestiness on the palate. This is a modern and well made Viognier that gives a great window into the estate's style.

The 2021 Zéro Dosage, Saumur Brut from Bouvet Ladubay has, as the name suggests, no dosage, and so is crisp, refreshing and bone dry. As a result, the wine expresses abundant freshness and minerality, supported by bright citrus and green fruit. The 2021 has an energetic refreshing acidity and subtle richness, thanks to its oak ageing.

This Chablis from Didier represents his largest bottling from various parcels around the domaine. It is quite simply everything you might hope for in a village Chablis. Saline, focused, with fine citrus notes of white grapefruit and hints of stone fruit. It is tightly coiled and classic in style. The finish shows a subtle and enticing delicate bitter lemon note.

From one of most highly-awarded boutique wineries in Australia, this beautifully fresh Chardonnay has lifted aromas of grapefruit and white peach, layered with flinty, toasty notes. The palate is rich and textured with plush fruit flavours and racy acidity. Elegant, mineral and long.

An outstanding Soave showing great finesse and aromatic complexity with fine floral aromas, peach and apricot notes and a hint of spicy minerality. Harmoniously balanced, the richly textured fruit flavours lead to a long and elegant finish.

A polished and vibrant expression of Sangiovese, it opens with layered aromas of dark red cherry, plum, and blood orange, lifted by notes of spice, cedar and leather. Medium bodied and supple, with fine grained tannins lending structure and a balanced finish.

The Wiston Blanc de Blancs NV is wonderfully fresh with vibrant acidity and perfect balance. Crisp green apple and elegant notes of kumquat come to the fore, along with a flinty minerality. The finish is long, crisp and clean.

A Champagne of great finesse and elegance from the Chardonnay and a lovely rich character and structure from the Pinot Noir. The 2016 is a wonderfully fresh and expressive vintage.

A blend of Grenache Gris, Grenache Noir and Mourvèdre, this rosé presents a beautiful, delicate pale pink hue with hints of salmon. It is juicy with strawberry, citrus and orange peel aromas. A distinct minerality runs through the wine, giving it a racy and elegant profile. The acidity is bright and crisp, leading to a smooth and dry finish. Perfect for a sunny day or just to have in the fridge.
Available for delivery in May.