Members' Favourites

Delicious, well-priced claret from a small area between Côtes de Bourg and Fronsac. Majority merlot with 30% cabernet sauvignon providing freshness and backbone.

A modest, inexpensive Spanish red from the country's most famous grape. This is smooth, fruity and more mellow than usual with a touch of cedar. Everything about Bodegas Príncipe de Viana is vast. Owners of over 400 hectares of vines in Navarra, they control a further 500 hectares, but the winemaking approach is sensitive and modest, aiming always for clean, balanced flavours and offering superb value for money.

This aromatic dry white has notes of nectarine, pear and peach. The grillo is grown in coastal vineyards in Western Sicily, and here has just a small addition (20%) of zibibbo that adds vibrancy and orange-blossom aromas.

This marriage of two Rhône grape varieties from the Minervois/Saint-Chinian border is now a firm member favourite. Fresh, round, full-flavoured and moreishly fruity.

A gem of a wine and a worthy 2024 Wine Champion. As one taster put it, ‘this tasted like the south of France. Characterful, easy to like, cracking value.` So many members turn to this happy union of zingy Gascon sauvignon blanc and fragrant peachy Languedoc viognier for summer refreshment, and it was easy to see why during our blind tastings.

Uncomplicated charm doesn`t get more charming than this. A popular southern French red and a Wine Champion in 2024, Laborie was given a makeover in 2023 to include some especially good, crunchy syrah fruit. Tasted blind among its peers, it was a resounding hit: ‘So much fruit, juicy and user friendly. Incredible value.`

This Chilean carmenère is a good entry-level example of this variety, with its black-pepper nose and ripe, juicy and succulent palate.

This wine combines Loire and southern French fruit for a delicate, slightly tropical aroma, and easy, creamy finish.

This popular Veneto red's opulent rich style is achieved by partial natural air-drying of the grapes (a mix of merlot and corvina) to add richness. Black cherry and leather on the nose, with more spice developing on the palate and finish.

Plump and generously fruity, this is a great example of the full-flavoured, round and fruity style of Mâcon-Villages in the warmer south region of Burgundy.

2020 was a year that has freshness and juicy acidity combined with generous fruit. Expect wild flowers, brambles, liquorice and pepper spice. Tannins are ripe and well integrated and there is a generosity on the palate. A very approachable and delicious Côtes-du-Rhône.

Popular Cape White Blend with chenin's fresh stone-fruit flavour complemented by rich and aromatic viognier. A lot of flavour at moderate alcohol.