What to Drink in 2026 Tasting Kit

A ripe yet fresh balance of flavours and aromas and a fresh and fruity nose in the apple and melon spectrum leads to a creamy palate with a seam of underlying freshness. About 20% comes from the cooler Hautes Côtes vineyards for freshness, with the rest mainly from vineyards classified as Bourgogne situated on the land below Meursault and Puligny. About 65% is barrel-fermented and kept on its yeast lees for richness, while 35% is tank fermented to capture the freshness.

Produced by one of Alsace's most talented winemakers, the grapes for this pinot gris are sourced from various vineyards around Rorschwihr and neighbouring villages. There is a generosity and sweetness on the palate thanks to the wine's off dry style, yet balanced to perfection with crisp acidity. With quince, ginger and fresh and dried orange peel, this pairs well with pâte and curry.

A very impressive wine from 55-year-old vines, well situated mid-slope and adjacent to premier cru Corbeaux. This is rich and soft with seductive succulent fruit and silky tannins.

Classic and well-balanced left-bank claret, with a touch of cedar on the nose, good colour and plenty of dark fruit that is now nicely mature. In the Martin family since 1982, this 17-hectare property has made a major investment in quality in recent years, to good effect.

A blend of equal parts cabernet sauvignon, cinsault and carignan, the 2018 vintage of this Lebanese icon is vibrant and instantly appealing. It exudes ripe, red and black berry fruits and plum notes combined with complex layers of coffee, as well as sweet and savoury spice. There is a smokiness and attractive volatile lift that is almost synonymous with Chateau Musar. The tannins provide great structure, yet the wine has perfect balance, providing great accessibility. Chateau Musar`s winemaker Tarek Sakr believes that the 2018 vintage is much more approachable in style than previous vintages, making it a wine that is ready to drink now.

Muga was founded in 1932, and stands in El barrio de la estación, the railway quarter, in Haro. Today Jorge Muga looks after the vineyards and the winemaking. He makes fine and elegant wines including this superb Gran Reserva made from grapes from mountain vineyards. This is one of the greatest traditionally framed Riojas and it is produced predominantly from tempranillo with around 20% of a mix of garnacha, mazuelo and graciano. It was aged 36 months in French and American barricas. Understated but intensely flavoured wine ideal with shoulder of lamb. Will continue to improve in bottle. 2016 is an excellent and elegant year, with great ageing capacity. Beautifully integreated oak weaves between the forest fruit, sweet spices and fine tannins. Structured, concentrated and balanced. Superb.