What to drink this summer

Sommerberg is the steep 19 hectare grand cru hillside that rises up behind the village of Niedermorschwihr, where the Boxler cellar is located. Indeed, Sommerberg is synonymous with Boxler: his is the most famous and celebrated iteration of the vineyard. The ‘young vines’ here are actually 35 years old, and produce a wine with a fresh, juicy tension. The 2017 has notes of lime blossom, sea breeze and fresh peaches on the nose, with taut freshness , and an energetic drive to a long and elegant finish.

Wow. What purity and focus, and also such silky tannins. This is a brilliant red. Notes of pomegranate and rose petal, and lots of blood orange add to the core of red fruit. The tannins are talc-like, and there’s such focus on the palate. This is outstanding.

A cool climate Cabernet Sauvignon, with very refined tannins, a little clove spice and lifted lavender notes, and a lovely core of dark fruit. Pieter is so talented when it comes to this grape variety.

A brilliant cool climate Shiraz from the By Farr team in 2019. Bright and fresh with sappy berries alongside some riper black fruit. There’s some black pepper and earthiness and a silky texture.

This 100% Merlot is juicy, pure and sumptuous. Here, clay soils retained moisture throughout the long dry summer of 2016, meaning that this has remained balanced and fresh. With a long, well-defined finish, this is surely the best Marsau ever.

The 2015 Raymond Lafon is a brilliant Sauternes. Notes of saffron and green pineapple on the nose give way to a spicy palate of so much poise and finesse. There’s a richness here, but also a focus and savouriness that makes it oh-so-easy to drink. Brilliantly done, from a hidden gem of Sauternes.

This salty, expressive white from this enterprising estate in Languedoc offers outstanding value for money. Aromas of fresh white flowers and the salty spray of the Mediterranean make this citrus scented white the perfect aperitif. Balanced, refreshing, unfussy and delicious.

Claudie’s father, in his days of running a plant nursery with access to a huge range of plant material, planted seven different clones of Pinot Noir in this 2.5 hectare site. Now at 45 years old, this diversity, twinned with the quality of vineyard husbandry, means the vineyard is thriving. The different clones call for pruning and harvesting at different times, but it’s an effort worth making, as the wine is texturally sophisticated, juicy, and full of Pinot nuance. So balanced and extremely drinkable.

Les Hauts de Pierre is the pinnacle of Blaise’s production. It comes from a single parcel of old vine Chasselas, and is powerful, textured, and intense, almost reminiscent of top Burgundy. This 2019 is a little closed, but with texture and purity on the palate, it points to a long life ahead. The salinity and leesy complexity on the palate lasts an age, with notes of citrus and more savoury elements unfurling over time: this is a remarkable Swiss white.

This parcel of young vines (around 15 years old) lies right next to Marcel’s house. He says it’s a wine to open and enjoy young. Given what good value it is you certainly can get stuck in. It has a bright and fruity character, with the vintage’s wonderful natural freshness.

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 high acidity - the secret to single vineyard wines in his opinion. In 2019 it is smoky, restrained, agile, and subtle. It would do well for a few years in the cellar, and its saline, savoury structure will make it an excellent food wine in the years to come. Tightly coiled and highly charged.

This is so much more than your average Côtes du Rhône. It comes from the vines that surround the cellar, sitting just beyond the northern border of Châteauneuf. It is so textured and fresh, with energy, purity, and density. Its juicy red fruits combine with a lovely salty minerality making for a charming, drinkable style.

This beautiful property was bought by Jérôme in 2007. He says that, as well as a perfect place to grow vines, it’s also the ultimate picnic spot, where the family like to shuck oysters with a bottle of the château’s delicious wine. Precise and refreshing, with a citrus, floral nose. The sur lie ageing gives it a fine texture and a lively freshness which are so well expressed in this light-bodied, paradigm Muscadet.

This comes from many parcels dotted around the central and southern part of the appellation. Sylvain intelligently handles his fruit: the young vine bunches are destemmed, while the older vines’ stems are kept intact, combining them to produce a highly juicy, perfumed style. A glossy style bursting with fruit.

This is a blend of four parcels, with a high proportion of fruit from vines older than 50 years. It is smooth and fruity. Its brightness is piqued with a fine line of pithy bitterness. This is a great example of the appellation, and has taken on some definition and drive from its first year in bottle. This is so refreshing and quenching.

The 2019 Capisme is a stunning Langhe Nebbiolo, from a great vintage. Powdery tannins, lifted fruit, and a long, savoury finish all combine to craft a Nebbiolo that would not look out of place in a lineup of Barolos.

The 2016 El Sacramento Viña Leizaola is an absolute stunner. Finessed and focused, there’s a beautiful nose of wild flowers and spice, with a core of brilliantly fresh fruit. This is long, savoury, and wonderfully balanced. A stunning Rioja.

Gianfranco's young vine cuvée, this has notes of ripe plums, prunes, and lots of store cupboard spice. The tannins need time to soften, but put this with food and you'll be richly rewarded.

Made from 100% Malvasia and aged for 20 years. Incredibly decadent and rich with masses of complexity and a persistent freshness so typical of fine Madeira. Berry fruit, leather, dried figs, coffee, citrus peel, caramel, and brown sugar. Perfect to pair with cheese or desserts or try as an aperitif.

This comes from an historic, low-yielding 16-hectare site. The Mount Edelstone vineyard is home to dry-grown, ungrafted centenarian vines which sit on ancient soils at 400 metres above sea level. The wine is matured in 80% French and 20% American hogsheads (19% new, 81% seasoned) for 18 months prior to blending and bottling, after which the wine ages for a further three years before release. The 2016 is astonishing in its purity and complexity. There’s such remarkable length here, with a savoury, saline finish that lasts for minutes. A tour de force. Bravo.

A bottling that pushes the boundaries of what high-quality Beaujolais can be: grapes spend an enormous seven months macerating in large clay amphorae, creating a textured, explosive wine that’s spectacularly delicious.

This is made from the Chasselas grape, the lesser-known variety of Pouilly, with only a handful of hectares remaining today. Jonathan’s is one of the best examples: refined and floral, juicy and refreshing. What it lacks in Sauvignon Blanc’s razor sharp edges it gains in its delicate proportions.

This is the flagship wine of the estate, and offers the best of Muscadet: pale lemon yellow, a little citrus and blossom on the nose, an elegant, defined length, with some savoury structure from lees ageing bringing it all together. This is an absolutely charming Muscadet. It bursts with lemons and limes, and has such a refreshing tension.

This, from the Voor Paardeberg, from really young vines, is just spectacularly delicious. Red apple and wild roses swirl from the glass, while it’s the salinity and texture of the palate that really blew us away. Such an individual wine; such a wonderful wine.

This is so atypical from Prosecco, the DOC wouldn't let Primo label it as such. But never mind: it's one of the best sparklings we know. Notes of orange blossom and iodine on the nose, and hints of wild strawberry and lots of salinity on the palate. So impressive.

This indigenous blend of Malagousia (60%), Assyrtiko (30%) and Roditis (10%) comes from a few parcels situated in different regions of Greece. The wine sees no oak and is aged for a few short months in tank and amphora to retain the purity and finesse of the varieties. The acidity is crisp and citrus driven, with a pithy grapefruit character on the finish. Expect white blossom florals, citrus and a subtle steeliness on this really impressive wine. A delight to drink and showcasing the best that Greece has to offer.

Silky and elegant, La Montesa comes from a single, organic vineyard and in this vintage is made entirely from Garnacha. The result is full of crunchy red berry fruits, orange peel and woody herbs. It’s broad and mouth coating, but not overly rich. It’s bright, lively, and fruit-driven and lovely to drink.

From a vineyard in Paarl planted in 1956, yields from here are absolutely miniscule. There's pure peach on the nose, with plenty of citrus lift and a beautifully textured palate. A lovely addition to our range.

Bukettraube is likely a grape you don't know brilliantly, but it's found its home in a few small vineyards in the Cape. Hanneke and Pauline are doing something quite special with it, making an utterly delicious Pet Nat. Sometimes likened to Muscat, this is floral and peachy, with very fine bubbles, and a vibrant finish. A delicious fizz.

The cooler climate makes this wine steely on the attack and display green apple, lime and and steely notes supported by hints of jasmine. The core is linear and crisp and very focused.