Recently tasted

Produced by a winery founded in 1857, Sereole is made from grapes which are picked slightly later than is common and which undergo a brief maturation in cask. It is a graceful wine, feminine in nature with a fresh, lemon barley nose, herbaceous edging and mealy notes. Plump but with zest as well, the palate has delicious notes of lemon, grapefruit and a hit of orange. Alc: 13%. (18 points)

Great Western Wines, Somerset (01225 322 800), www.slurp.co.uk, Wines & Roses, Cardiff (029 2022 5835)

view wine page

Gayda's first vintage was 2004 but it has since laid down several quality markers. Syrah-based, with Grenache, Mourvèdre, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon, this is infused with pepper, blueberry and violets, beefed up by notes of tar and earthy, brambly fruit. Alc: 14%. (16.5 points)

New Generation Wine (01233 636 365)

view wine page

Good-value Gruner with those delicious, peppery dashes can be hard to come by. This may provide the answer. The nose is floral with a saline touch. In the mouth it's rounded, with touches of honey and cream, overlaying plenty of ripe apple and juicy acidity. Alc: 12%. (17 points)

From Vinyards Direct (www.fromvineyardsdirect.com / 020 7490 9910)

view wine page

The first vintage of this wine was in 1928 as a DOC Chianti, which it remained until 2001 when it switched to IGT Toscana. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet, Merlot and Syrah, this is a ripe and opulent offering, with sleek, woody, creamy black fruits that coat the mouth. Alc: 13.5%. (17 points)

Waitrose supermarkets (0800 188 884)

view wine page