Winter 1874 Winemakers to Watch Case

Viviana Malafarina, former teacher, sailor, chef and tour guide on the Orient Express, is now the custodian of some ancient vines and a 16th-century winery in basilicata. Her aglianicos are elegant and terroir-driven. Perfumed with violets and Morello cherries, this is a wine of great energy, just like its producer.

An ancient estate brought back to life by a group of friends, with the aim of making lighter, fresher interpretations of traditional Douro reds. This light, fragrant, fresh and smoothly textured wine is made from co-fermented indigenous red and white grapes. Enjoy its bright cherry fruit and floral perfume on the cool side.

Still only in her mid-20s, Christina Wess is one of Austria's most talented winemakers, making wine alongside her father Rainer. This is her own project – a collaboration with her husband and a Mexican winemaking friend. It's a quirky but delicious field blend of neuberger, muskateller and sauvignon blanc with hints of honey, orange and sweet spices.

Javier left his family bodega to set up his own in Laguardia, Rioja Alavesa, and is promoting a modern take with new French oak enhancing the intense dark fruit. An impressive Rioja from one of the region's rising stars.

The 'curious beasts' are Jérémie Huchet and Jérémie Mourat, passionate champions of the new Muscadet crus officially recognised by the INAO from 2011. The terroir of Château-Thébaud aligns power with with minerality and tension, delivering fresh wines with the texture and weight of a versatile unoaked white Burgundy.

Nikos Karavitakis, fourth generation of the family to farm at Kolymbari near Chania on Crete, likes to challenge traditional wisdomn. This keenly priced introduction to Greece's star white grape assyrtiko showcases its character: clean as a whistle with flavours of citrus, green apple and wet slate, structured acidity, food-friendly grip and appetising salty finish.