WWF Spring Discovery Mixed Dozen

A crisp and fresh, unoaked grüner veltliner with typical grüner notes of rocket and white pepper supported by citrus and white-blossom flavours. From the Czech region of Moravia, bordering Austria, where it shares similar loess and granite soil. Thaya winery has won lots of awards, including their 31-year-old winemaker (Jakub Smroka) winning the Winegrowers Association Winemaker of the year in 2021. The winery's proximity to the Podyjí National Park as well as the River Thaya running through the region helps achieve freshness in the grapes and resulting wine.

Quimay wines are selected by The Wine Society and winemaker Alejandro Sejanovitch to demonstrate the exciting wines now being produced in the cool La Consulta region situated in the Uco Valley. This greengage scented semillon has a round yet fresh palate and good length of flavour.

Fresh cedary cabernet franc from Argentina with a pretty lead-pencil nose from cool-climate, high-altitude Las Chacayes in the Uco Valley.

This is a new project in Odesa, Ukraine by talented winemaker Eduard Gorodetsky. There is no winery yet – it's currently in progress – but it is proving understandably logistically challenging during a war. This merlot is a great example of a juicy, accessible red that is bursting with red plum, cherry and cedar spice. The tannins are present yet supple and this is an ideal red to serve with roast beef and tomato-based pasta dishes.

Simple but delicious Austrian red produced from the native zweigelt grape, which is often at its most charming when made in a friendly and unoaked style like this. The nose is delicate with crushed red-fruit character, mostly of strawberries and cherries, with a little twist of pepper. The palate is lifted, light and bright, with a freshness and purity throughout. Ideal drunk after 20 minutes in the fridge and perfect with a picnic.

From Valencia, this Mediterranean white has a fragrant, honeyed and aromatic profile with texture, a slightly herbal, fennel note and nice fresh acidity. Malvasia was originally planted because of it’s resistance to both drought and rot playing a crucial role in sustaining the farmers' crops in difficult vintages. Today you can find some wonderful examples, often delivering excellent value. Malvasía Aromática, hand harvested from 20+year-old-bush trained, dry-farmed vineyards in Fontanars dels Alforins, with three months on fine yeast lees.

Grenache blanc is thriving in South Africa and especially its warmest, driest climes, like the on-trend Swartland region where its drought-tolerant qualities shine. This is full of lime zest and conference pear, with a bright, crisp, and lively palate. As well as abundant citrussy fruit, there is a riper nectarine character on the finish.

Abundantly fruity, herbaceous garnacha. This has delightful jammy fruit and a hint of fennel with fleshy texture and a full finish. This comes from a small family project which is now run by third-generation Jorge Navascues.

Valpolicella, from the Veneto province, is one of Italy's best-known wines and this delightful example comes from an excellently run local co-operative in the region. Made in a bright, modern style, this delivers an uncomplicated, light-bodied glassful of cherry-fruit charm. Juicy and vibrant, with gentle tannins, it can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Try lightly chilled.

Golden straw in colour, with a broad, aromatic nose of lime blossom and wisteria, layered with apple, citrus and a touch of apricot. The palate is elegant and well balanced, showing characteristic almond notes, gentle savoury depth and a soft, lingering fruity finish. A poised, gastronomic Friulano, ideal with seafood, cured hams or simply by the glass.

Quinta do Ameal dates back to the early 1700s but its acquisition by the team at Esporão a few years ago has seen it given a wonderful new lease of life. Bico Amarelo is an affordable but serious Vinho Verde, without the sweetness or spritz of many examples. This is a blend of avesso, loureiro and alvrarinho grapes from across the region. The nose is crisp and fresh with lemon verbena and pear. The palate is pure and refreshing, with a touch of fresh mint towards the end.

Great-value grenache-syrah blend from the foothills of the Massif Central in southern France, packed with ripe tasting, juicy fruit. The name of this Saint-Chinian has undergone a minor change, but the wine remains the same as in the past. Saint-Chinian is a large and somewhat diverse appellation in the Languedoc. The countryside is hilly and sometimes quite wild, planted with dense scrubland known as garrigue. Vines are planted on well-exposed, south-facing slopes and in the extremely high temperatures of August and September grapes can reach very high levels of sugar, high enough to encourage a race between man and boar, as to who gets to them first!