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.

Grillo di Sicilia - Antonini Ceresa

A speciality of Sicily, this has been produced from vineyards around Trapani and Marsala. After pressing, the must is fermented at low temperature to preserve the fresh floral aromas that are backed by notes of hazelnuts. It’s full and generous on the palate with a clean, fresh finish. This is an excellent food wine and offers really good value.

Muscadet Sur Lie - Chateau de la Ragotiere

A benchmark example, very clean and correct with citrus undertones to the pure fruit and mineral bouquet. Persistent and fruity on the palate with a refreshing acidity to balance. The wine is a superb partner to seafood and fish or ideal as an aperitif.

Brampton Viognier

Superb aromatics full of spicy springtime aromas of peaches, apricots and honeysuckle. In the mouth it feels very waxy and delicate yet with an underlying strength and focus. A great partner to many foods especially oriental.

Pinot Bianco 'Kastelaz' - Elena Walch

The vineyard of Kastelaz faces due south and has a uniquely mild climate considering it's situation as Italy's northernmost wine region. This has yielded a fragrant white wine with elegant fruit. It is firm yet ripe with backbone and structure. Ideal with a wide variety of foods from salads to terrines, fish and seafood to white meats. This has become a real speciality of the Alto Adige and is widely enjoyed by most palates.

Rams Leap Verdelho

Because of the vineyard situation, close to the outback in an old river bed, the vines are organically farmed allowing the purest of wines to be produced. No oak was used in the production ensuring the finest of pure fruit flavours that are dominated by citrus notes with passion fruit in the aromas. Just enough residual sugar to give good weight on the palate and ensure a ripe, fruity finish. Wonderful in the summer.

Gruner Veltliner - Weingut Stadlmann

This fresh and elegant wine with delicate aromas of apple-style fruit is clean and bright on the palate with beautiful fresh fruit notes, a gentle yet perfect acidity and a soft, clean finish. Ideal as an aperitif yet also delicious when enjoyed with salmon or other oily fish.

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.

Zeta Garnacha

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.