Wines for the week: October 2023

New from dependable NZ producer Villa Maria, this charmat-method sparkler is a blend of 82% Chardonnay and 18% Pinot Noir. Fruit is sourced from Gisbourne and Hawke's Bay, with the blend containing reserve wines to add complexity. Toasty, creamy, walnut aromas with notes of fresh pastries. Rounded palate with fresh acidity: honeyed notes balanced by toasty citrus and lemon tart, with a long, crisp finish. Great value!

<p>New on the shelves at Tesco, this is a little pricier than some high-street Cavas, but still good value. Made using the traditional Champagne method, by a small estate that can trace its history back to the 11th century, the wine has a lovely weight of yellow apple fruit, and a toasty nutty finish. The packaging is classy too, so a great option to serve at a dinner party, or gift.</p>

Very expressive, with Greywacke’s trademark fleshiness and textural appeal. Luscious passion fruit, pineapple, guava and peach offset by refreshing lime zest and fragrant orange blossom. Good persistence, with elegance and generosity in equal measures.

<p>From vines planted at 500 metres above sea level, this Eden Valley Chardonnay was fermented and aged for 8.5 months in French barriques with a touch of new oak. Flinty smoke aromas open up to creamy yuzu and candied pear on the nose and palate. Textured and oily with great depth of grapefruit zest and a saline tone, leading to a spicy finish.</p>

A classy, complex nose of passion fruit, mango, lemon tart and gooseberry. Great intensity on the savoury palate with a smokey undertone. Creamy hazelnuts, yuzu zest and green fruits, seasoned with vanilla seeds, lead to a touch of spice on the finish.

As you'd expect given the Rheingau location, this family estate focuses mainly on Riesling, but also has plantings of Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc), new to the Wine Society in this 2021 bottling. It's a lovely vintage, fresh and with good acidity (the 2022 is apparently rounder in character). There's 7.9g/L residual sugar, but it's in perfect balance – this is all about weight of fruit, apple and lemon, with a hint of spice. Clean, juicy and with lovely freshness – easy to enjoy with or without food.

This well made unoaked Viognier has plenty of varietal typicity for the price. Delicate peach and pear aromas pave the way for a medium-bodid plate, layered with stone fruit, citrus, floral notes and a chalky minerality. Super concentration and freshness here, with mouthwatering acidity. Great value for money.

The fifth vintage of this unoaked Chardonnay from Simpsons' Kent vineyards. It's one for those who like their Chardonnay taut, tangy and mouthwatering rather than creamy and fat. You'll find lively lemon citrus and melon fruit, balanced by some weight from malolactic fermentation and time on lees. Fresh, high acidity style, with good length.

An intense nose of slightly funky peach skin leads to a core of stony acidity and a peachy flavour, with a dried lemon peel note. Toasty apple and lemon emerge on the finish along with some spice.

Another new white in Sainsbury's Discovery Collection for spring 2023, this enjoyable field blend from Paarl is mostly old bush vine Chenin Blanc, with 3% Grenache Blanc and 1% Marsanne. There's real depth of flavour on the honeyed palate, which is layered with fresh citrus and stone fruits, herbs and juicy peach, balanced by crisp acidity.

It's helpful when the two grape varieties that comprise the wine's name describe its taste. Delicate orange blossom, juicy grapiness, ripe apricot and runny honey aromas and flavours with a clean finish and fresh acidity, from a winery founded in 1889.