December’s wine is the 2017 Waitrose, Grüner Veltliner, Austria (£7.99 from www.waitrose.com).
Decanter magazine says:
“DWWA 2018 Gold Medal: A fresh, vibrant, fruit driven expression with ripe citrus and yellow apple aromas. Hints of pepper and white flowers on the palate, with impressive complexity and a scented finish.” (96/100)
August’s wine is the 2016 Bodega Amalaya Blanco, Salta, Argentina (£10.95 from www.slurp.co.uk).
Decanter magazine says:
“The nose offers a beguiling mix of pineapples and grapes. Inviting jasmine and crisp peach flavours meld with an attractive mouthfeel. Superbly made, with splendid varietal characters. One glass of this won’t be enough!” (95/100)
Decanter World Wine Awards 2017: Platinum – Best in Show: Best Value Dry Aromatic
June’s wine is the 2015 Vouvray Sec Tendre Lieu-Dit Rosnay, Loire, France (£11.50 from www.thewinesociety.com).
Jancis Robinson says:
“Very pale straw. Rich nose of toast and honey and then masses of acidity and structure and potential. Summer in a bottle. Bravissimo! VGV.” (17/20)
April’s wine is the 2014 Quinta de Soalheiro Alvarinho, Vinho Verde, Portugal (€8,85 from www.fernandoswinehouse.pt).
Decanter magazine says:
“Star buy of 2015. Clean, expressive apricot and peach aromas. Very aromatic and classic with a broad, full, herbal palate and a rounded finish. A solid Alvarinho. Complex pithy orange, honeysuckle, silky peach, savoury lees and nutty nougat; dancing acidity and minerality dominate a long finish.” 95/100
February’s wine is the 2014 Mas de Cynanque, Althea Blanc, St-Chinian (€13.40 from www.saint-chinian.pro)
Jancis Robinson says:
“This is one of those wines that just stuns you from the moment you put your nose in the glass to the last lingering taste of it. It smells intensely of candied lemon peel and apricots, lilies and beeswax. Coiled with tension, tasting of wild honey and orange blossom, dancing towards you then darting away. Acidity is strung from start to end like an electric current, dangerously alive. I got back home and ordered a case straight away. VVGV” 17.5/20
November’s wine is the 2015 Orvieto Classico Superiore Castagnolo, Barberani (£8.50 from www.thewinesociety.com).
Jancis Robinson says:
“Lemon and cobnuts on the nose with lots of crisp, crunchy white grapefruit on the palate. Taut yet full of flavour and a hint of nuttiness drawing towards the finish. Yuzu lemon on a deep finish. So much packed in here. VVGV at The Wine Society price.” 16.5/20
90PointWineClub 