Following on from the first case of grape varieties, this selection offers the chance to buy some of the lesser known varieties that are now regularly gracing the pages of wine lists. Each selection comes with individual tasting notes and makes an ideal present to wine buyers of any level of knowledge.

Primitivo di Puglia - Antonini Ceresa

Produced in the heel of Italy around Salento and Mandivia, this is a bold yet soft red wine with full red fruit flavours made more complex with hints of spice. Full bodied with good structure and fine tannins. Ideal with a wide variety of red meats.

Garnacha - Bodegas Zeta

Absolutely stunning Navarra Red! Totally unlike most of the regions production, this wine has real depth and power. Upfront red berry fruit with a good spice element, soft, ripe tannis to balance with notes of bitter chocolate in the finish. Over in Spain this is a great tapas wine and it will go with so many different dishes, especially red meats and game. Not to be missed

Gamay - Chenas - Domaine du P'Tit Paradis

Denise Margeron, the owner and winemaker of P'Tit Paradis, has been a friend ever since we sat together at a Confrerie de Saint Vincent dinner in 1995. She is a friendly, gently spoken lady yet with a temper when roused that should be given plenty of space! When the appellation d'origine people upset her she wanted to blow them up! Her wines are magnificent and this Chenas is a must for any cellar. Well coloured with aromas of plums and cherries, delicious sweet fruit on the palate and perfectly balanced with a good overcoat of tannin and a dark lingering finish. Ideal at the moment but with 6 to 10 years ahead of it in bottle. Magnificent!

Cabernet Franc - Anjou Rouge - Chateau La Variere

France’s Anjou region makes a perfect home for the Cabernet Franc grape. Here it has given a wine that is built for quaffing with notes of red fruits and spice. Cool in the summer, it is extremely refreshing and partners well with red meats and soft cheeses.

Sangiovese - Fiore Di Maggio Rosso - San Giorgio A Lapi

This pure Sangiovese produced to the north-east of Sienna starts life with fermentation in steel tanks. After 5 days it is racked and put into barrels while it is still sweet to terminate the fermentation. This great little Tuscan wine has a full and intense bouquet of red berries and a touch of vanilla. On the palate it is harmonious, well balanced and persistant in the finish. Great with pasta or lighter meat dishes, It can be drunk slightly cool in the summer when it really refreshes the parts water cannot reach!

Forge Mill Pinotage

This medium-full bodied red wine has an approachable earthy style with wonderful aromas of berry fruit and a hint of oak. On the palate it has notes of violets over the blackberry fruit that finishes with the typical sweet berry flavours. Ideal with grilled meats and game but will also handle spicy foods.