Top 100 Supplement 2026 for web

The Wine Merchant Top 100 Winners supplement

The Wine Merchant Top 100

2026 edition

Published with the July 2026 edition of The Wine Merchant magazine winemerchantmag.com © Graham Holter Ltd 2026 Registered in England: No 6441762 VAT: 943 8771 82 Photos of judges by Ashley Bingham Cover photo: Floris Christiaans All prices quoted are RRPs supplied by entrants

the 2026 edition: bigger and better CHAIRMAN OF JUDGES DAVID WILLIAMS REPORTS ON A RECORDBREAKING YEAR FOR THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

What do you get when you put 1,200 wines, from more than 60 of the UK’s best producers and wine suppliers, in front of 40 leading independent merchants in a huge room in Walthamstow, east London, in the springtime?

The short answer? The winners of The Wine Merchant Top 100 2026, a selection of some of the finest wines currently available exclusively in the UK’s independent wine trade.

But there is a little bit more to it than that. The supplement you have in your hands features 564 wines: The Top 100 highest-scoring bottles, plus a further 464 Highly Commended wines, all selected on a typically busy, hard-working, but ultimately hugely rewarding day of judging.

It’s a record number of Highly Commended winners, and there are two main reasons for that. First, in our 14th edition of the Top 100, we had a record number of entries. Second, and more importantly, the quality of those entries seems to rise by the year. Put together, that means the judges tasted more potential Top 100 winners than ever before this year; and the number of wines that just missed out on a place in that elite selection was, therefore, also higher than ever before.

The rise in quality is one thing. No less pleasing is the growth in diversity – of place, grape and style – among the winners. From brilliant Canadian, Turkish and Georgian bottles to classic red and white Burgundy and a wealth of great Cabernet Franc from all over the world, this year’s winners offer a microcosm of the open-minded approach that makes the independent wine trade such a fun place to shop – and which makes the task of judging this competition difficult but also so much fun.

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THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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SPARKLING WINE TROPHY

Champagne de SaintGall Orpale Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne, FRANCE 2012 The top houses and grower-producers may attract the lion’s share of attention when it comes to coverage of fine Champagne, but this year’s Wine Merchant Top 100 Sparkling Wine Trophy winner is testament to the remarkable quality of wine produced by the region’s best cooperatives.

In the words of the producer’s own website, Union Champagne is in fact a “co-op of co-ops”, founded in 1966 by a group of leading growers in Premier Cru and Grand Cru villages across the Champagne region. The Champagne de Saint-Gall brand is the Union’s flagship, with the Orpale cuvée representing the pinnacle of its production – not least in the outstanding 2012 vintage.

“Delightful, gently oxidative nose and leesderived complexity,” the judges said of a wine that is 100% sourced from the Union’s best Grand Cru vineyards. “Huge concentration and intensity of flavour, incredible depth and softness of mousse. This is a really lovely, distinctive Champagne that very much justifies the high price tag.”

Daniel Lambert Wines RRP £129.50 ABV 12%

WHITE WINE TROPHY

Quinta da Romaneira Pulga Douro, Portugal 2023 One of the fine-wine world’s most influential figures, Christian Seely is best known as the head of the AXA Millésimes stable of top wine estates, which includes such stellar names as Château Pichon-Longueville in Bordeaux and Quinta do Noval in the Douro.

But this year’s outstanding White Wine Trophy winner is the fruit of Seely’s own project, the historic 412ha (96ha planted) Quinta da Romaneira in the Douro. First acquired by Seely with a group of investors in 2004, and now with just two partners (Seely and Andre Esteve), Quinta da Romaneira is known for its red wine and port. But this 75% Boal, 10% Rabigato, 15% Viosinho white blend, which is fermented and aged in French oak (60% new), enchanted the judges.

“Bosh! It’s got everything you want,” they said.

“Bloody lovely! Enters fresh and fruity, then oak smokiness, texture, and complexity builds.

Super well balanced, excellent use of oak, immaculate concentration – yum!”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines RRP £51 ABV 13.5%

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castelnau AD SUPPLIED SEPARATELY

RED WINE TROPHY

Domaine Ardhuy LE Clos des Langres Monopole Rouge Côte de Nuits Villages Burgundy, France 2023 The work of a 100-year-old family-owned producer with an enviable collection of vineyards in some of the best sites in Burgundy, this year’s Red Wine Trophy winner is, in the words of the judges, “a real beauty”.

It comes from the titular 3.1ha monopole vineyard right on the border between the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, between Ladoix-Serrigny and Corgoloin. Planted on brown limestone soils at an elevation of 245255m above sea level, with a gentle slope and a south-eastern orientation, the vines have an average age of 55 years.

Aged for up to 18 months in French oak barrels in the family’s 17thcentury cellars, it has an “elegant and sophisticated nose of soft, plummy red fruits”, the judges said. “The palate really lingers, with very fine tannins.

Beautifully balanced but serious, this is a wine to take your time over, and one that you’d be happy to recommend even at this price.”

Daniel Lambert Wines RRP £75 ABV 13%

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ORANGE WINE TROPHY

Shilda Rustaveli 3 Grapes Qvevri Kakheti, Georgia 2020 The original isn’t always the best in the increasingly diverse world of wine. But the maxim is true in the orange wine category of this year’s Wine Merchant Top 100, with the judges’ favourite coming from the country that provided the inspiration for the style’s modern revival.

The “3 Grapes” in the wine’s name are the indigenous Georgian trio Rkatsiteli, Mtsvane and Kisi, all sourced from the Shilda familyrun producer’s 6ha of vineyards in the heart of Georgia’s most famous wine region, Kakheti.

The grapes are given three months’ skin contact in traditional clay qvevri for a style that got a clear “10 out of 10 for orangeness on the eye” from the judges.

“Bright and appealing to look at, it’s also a real winner on the palate, with candied orange and marmalade, orange blossom and delightful texture: rich with tannic grip. A really characterful, high-quality and well-priced Georgian orange wine. It would be amazing with food.”

Moreno Wines RRP £21

ABV 13%

ROSÉ WINE TROPHY

Mora & Memo é Rosato IGT Isola dei Nuraghi, Sardinia, Italy 2025 A stunningly beautiful wine from a stunningly beautiful estate, this year’s Rosé Wine Trophy winner had to deal with stiff competition from the stars of Provence et al in what has become an increasingly well-supported category in the Wine Merchant Top 100, with pink entries rising by the year.

Run by the mother-and-daughter team of Elicia and Leya Telani, Mora & Memo’s vineyards benefit from being just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean, with this 50/50 blend of Monica and Cannonau made from vines that are on average 30 years old, grown on limestone and clay soils at an elevation of around 150m above sea level.

Made using white wine techniques with immediate separation of the skins from the must, it’s “a beautifully made wine that does everything you’d want from the pale, delicate Provence-like style, but with an extra level of finesse and character and at a very reasonable price,” the judges said.

Alliance Wine RRP £19.99

ABV 12%

FORTIFIED & SWEET WINE TROPHY

Valdespino Oloroso Solera 1842 VOS Jerez, Spain NV The judges at the Wine Merchant Top 100 may change from year to year, but some producers make an impression on the competition no matter the composition of the panel. Sherry bodega Valdespino is very much one of them, with its latest of many Top 100 awards going to this perennial classic Oloroso.

Valdespino is one of the oldest producers in the region, with a history that reaches back some 600 years. The company is also one of the biggest landowners in Jerez, with some 750ha of vineyards. No less pertinent to the quality of this Fortified & Sweet Wine Trophy winner, however, is the remarkable age of the solera: it was established in 1842. Largely made from Palomino, it also has 8%-10% of Pedro Ximenez, which is blended into the wine at around 10 years old before it’s returned to the solera.

“Intense orange peel, walnuts and burnt caramel,” the judges said. “Rounded, slightly oily, texture but so fresh too. Lots of flavour, excellent quality.”

Liberty Wines RRP £49.99

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ABV 21%

BEST VALUE SPARKLING WINE TROPHY

Neethlingshof Brut Cap Classique Stellenbosch, South Africa NV Is South African Cap Classique the best value traditional-method sparkling wine style in the world right now? It’s certainly among the most consistent, with this 70% Chardonnay / 30% Pinot Noir from venerable Stellenbosch producer Neethlingshof a clear favourite among the many sub-£20 sparklers from all over the world that entered this year’s Wine Merchant Top 100 competition.

The work of a producer founded in 1692 by German settler Willem Barend Lubbe, the blend is given 18 months on its lees and the very low dosage takes the finished wine to a mere 4.8g of residual sugar per litre – making for a “bonedry style of MCC” that the judges very much appreciated.

“It has a richer riper profile balanced by really fine acidity,” the judges said. “There’s red apple skin, lemon curd and hints of biscuity complexity in a wine that is really fantastic value and that we would certainly consider listing.”

Les Grands Chais de France RRP £19 ABV 12%

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BEST VALUE WHITE WINE TROPHY

Viña Luis Felipe Edwards El Picador Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley, Chile 2025 It’s getting harder all the time to source decent wines at the £10 mark. It may even be getting near to the point where it’s simply impossible.

For now, however, the winner of this year’s Best Value White Wine Trophy is that very rare beast, offering genuine character and verve at a price that even supermarkets struggle to meet at far lower levels of quality.

Luis Felipe Edwards is the company responsible for this bargain, in this case using its connections throughout the Central and Rapel Valleys to source the fruit, most of which is harvested at night or in the early morning for freshness, before getting a cold soak and fermentation at 14-16°C for 10 to 15 days. A little lees ageing (three months) brings some extra texture.

“Very attractive Sauvignon greenness – it smells like gazpacho,” the judges said. “A nice hint of bitterness adds to the freshness on the crisp lemony palate, and there’s a touch of creaminess, too. Just brilliant value.”

Cachet Wine RRP £9.49

ABV 13%

BEST VALUE RED WINE TROPHY

Miguel Torres Chile Andica Organic Carmenère Maule Valley, Chile 2024 Chilean winemakers have sometimes chafed against their reputation as purveyors of goodvalue wines: they would like (and deserve) to be taken a little bit more seriously than that.

But, as the Torres family behind the second of two Best Value Trophies for Chile in this year’s competition have proved consistently in Spain and Chile alike down the years, being good at both lower price points and at “fine wine” levels don’t have to be ambitions that are mutually exclusive.

Made from 100% organic grapes grown in the Maule Valley, this Carmenère is aged for 12 months in third-use (or older) French oak barrels.

“It is such a characterful and varietal representation of Carmenère,” the judges said. “It tastes of ratatouille, southern/ Mediterranean herbs like basil and thyme, aubergine, green bell pepper and tomato vines.

“It’s a really savoury but juicy red that does so much more than it has to at the price – we would definitely stock it.”

Fells RRP £11.50 ABV 13.5%

BEST VALUE ORANGE WINE TROPHY

Domaines Paul Mas Arrogant Frog Orange Organic Languedoc, France 2025 One of France’s most astute commercial winemakers, Jean-Claude Mas has a deserved reputation for having two very useful talents.

He’s great at spotting trends before his big commercial rivals, and he’s fastidious about making sure the quality meets requirements no matter what he’s making.

This year’s Best Value Orange Wine Trophy winner embodies both those qualities. It’s what might be called a mass-market take on the until recently strictly small-scale orange wine trend. But it’s made with a flair that most others operating at this price point can’t or won’t match.

A blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris and Macabeu given a few days’ skin contact, it’s “excellent value for money”, the judges said.

“Pale peach in colour, it’s very easy on the eye, with a creamy nose and a clean palate. What a good entry into the crazy world of orange.”

Domaines Paul Mas RRP £13.75 ABV 13% THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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BEST VALUE ROSÉ WINE TROPHY

Oenops Wines Xinomavro/Limniona Apla Rosé Oenops, Greece 2024 Another perennial favourite at The Wine Merchant Top 100 down the years, this superb Greek rosé once again charmed the judges by showing off the sort of distinctive character, fruit and texture that too many rosé producers seem to believe are an optional extra once they’ve nailed the colour.

A blend of Xinomavro (50%), Mavroudi (30%) and Limniona (20%), it’s the work of winemaker Nikos Karatzas, who operates as a negociant, seeking out indigenous varieties in coolclimate sites and old-vine plots around Drama and Macedonia for his range of stylish wines of all colours. For this pink cuvée, each vineyard plot was vinified separately, with the grapes chilled to 5°C before being sorted, very gently pressed, and aged for two to four months on the fine lees.

“Beautifully made, beautifully balanced, it just seems to melt on the palate,” the judges said. “The fruit is so clean and there’s a lovely refreshing zing.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines RRP £18 ABV 12.5%

BEST VALUE FORTIFIED & SWEET WINE TROPHY

Poças Colheita White Port Douro, Portugal 2015 White port has been given a long-overdue reappraisal in recent years. No longer just seen as something to add to tonic for a lower-ABV alternative to G&T, it’s emerged as a quality wine in its own right, with aged versions, both colheita (vintage-dated) or with an average age, easily comparable in quality to their red-grapebased tawny equivalents.

This fine white colheita is very much a case in point. It’s made by Poças, a producer founded in 1918 and with a reputation for producing some of the finest aged tawny and white ports from its three Douro quintas.

Using manually harvested fruit from vines between 40 and 60 years old, it’s “a superb drink”, the judges said. “Nutty bruised apple flavours, and beautiful balance of fruit, acidity and sweetness, with a finish that goes on forever. Brilliantly made, it’s also astonishing value given the concentration and complexity.”

Cachet Wine RRP £28.99

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ABV 21%

Meet our judges

Forty independent judges were recruited for this year’s Wine Merchant Top 100. As always, our group was intended to be a cross-section of the trade. So our panel came from all across the UK, representing old-established businesses as well as newer ones, traditional wine shops but also hybrids. Most were judging in the competition for the first time; others had taken part at some point in the past.

Under the chairmanship of David Williams, wine critic for The Observer and deputy editor of The World of Fine Wine, five senior judges, pictured opposite, kept tabs on proceedings throughout the day, ensuring that our tasters were scoring wines consistently and fairly.

They were also on hand to join the conversation and to help resolve any differences of opinion.

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Philip Amps Amps Wine Merchants, Oundle

Charlotte Dean Wined Up Here, London

John Chapman The Oxford Wine Company

Sam Howard Fredricks, Diss

Daniel Grigg Museum Wines, Salisbury

the senior team for 2026 THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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Fiona Allan The Drinks Cabinet, Aberdour, Fife

Harry Baines Whitebridge Wines, Stone, Staffs

Jakub Balsamski Hedonism, central London

Michael Boniface No2 Pound Street, Wendover

Jamie Breeden The Malmesbury Wine Co, Wiltshire

Abigail Connolly Connollys, Birmingham

Charles Cornelius Barks, Sheffield

Geraint Davies ND John, Swansea

Robin Eadon Dulwich Vintners, south London

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Gizella Estate Cuvée 2025 The Gizella estate in Tokaj includes 19 hectares in 12 vineyards in three villages: Tarcal, Bodrogkeresztúr and Mád. All are sustainably farmed.

The Tokaj region, located in north eastern Hungary, is one of the world’s oldest classified wine regions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s renowned for its unique volcanic soils, cool climate, and centuries-old winemaking traditions.

Furmint 55%, Hárslevelű 45%

Pear, green apple, pineapple, lemon zest, lime, wild flowers. Quality structure with pleasant and vibrant acidity, freshness, minerals and rounding residual sugar.

RRP £19.99 ABV 13%

Delibo Wine Agencies

07802 405627

orders@delibo.co.uk

Caitlin Farrell Soho Wine Supply, central London

Duncan Gammie The Wee Vinoteca, Hitchin

Ollie Graham Authentique, north London

Gareth Groves Stone Vine & Sun, Winchester

Charlie Jones The Winemakers Club, central London

Andrew Kinnersley The Grape and the Good, Wells

Tom Loudon Substrata, Norwich

Hugo Meyer Esquerré Provisions, London

Garry Lui Cru, Manchester

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Karen Millar All Good Beer & Plenty of Wine, London

Kirby Morrow Cambridge Wines Royston, Herts

Katherine Nellums New World Wine, Saffron Walden

Nish Patel Shenfield Wines, Essex

Rupert Pritchett Taurus Wines, Surrey Hills

Jonathan Regan Banstead Vintners, Surrey

Alex Roberts Park Vintners, west London

Nichola Roe Wine Therapy, Cowes

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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Dylan Rowlands Gwin Dylanwad Wine, Dolgellau

Christopher Sherwood Bottle Apostle, London

Mark Stephenson Grape & Grain, Morpeth

Rebecca Tomlinson Bouquet Wine Cellar, Derby

George Unwin Baythorne Wines, Halstead, Essex

Zoey Walters Maggies, Lewes, East Sussex

Alastair Wighton Alteus Wines, Crowborough

Gemma Welden The Jolly Vintner, Tiverton

Andrew Lundy Vino, Edinburgh

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CAITLIN FARRELL AND HARRY BAINES JUDGING DAY, APRIL 20, 2026 BIG PENNY SOCIAL, WALTHAMSTOW

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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Sparkling & white wines Jansz Tasmania Vintage Cuvée

Wiston Estate Blanc de Blancs

Tasmania, Australia 2020

Sussex, England NV

One of the pioneers of Tasmanian fizz, Jansz has been making high-quality “méthode Tasmanoise” sparkling wines in the Pipers River region of the Tamar Valley since 1982.

The base wines for the Vintage Cuvée are partially fermented in oak for six months, and the wine gets 35 months on lees after the secondary fermentation.

“Generous full-flavoured fizz with powerful ripe citrus and pear fruit and hints of toasted brioche,” the judges said. “It has a lovely long, focused finish – this is a sparkling wine of real quality at an excellent price.”

With winemaking now in the hands of Marcus Rayner-Ward, the Goring family’s 20-year-old Sussex sparkling venture on their farm in Pulborough continues to set a quality example for English fizz.

Aged for four years on the lees, and with 20%-30% reserve wine (dating back to 2009) in the blend, this 100% Chardonnay, with a dosage of 8g/l, is typical of the flavoursome but elegant house style.

“Rich tropical fruit on the nose, and lovely salinity,” the judges said. “Typical bready biscuit notes are very appetising and it’s all very good value, too.”

Fells

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

RRP £30

ABV 12%

Henners Blancs de Noir

RRP £40

ABV 12%

Champagne Gosset Grand Rosé

Sussex, England 2020 A blend of 80% Pinot Noir with 20% Pinot Meunier, this limited-production (5,000 bottles) Blanc de Noirs from the small but high-quality 2020 English vintage spent four years ageing on the lees before release.

That’s led to a wine that is “perfectly balanced, with everything in sync,” the judges said. “Nice apple-skin notes and a pleasing bit of subtle tannic structure – almost tea-like. It would work well with or without food.”

It’s the work of Henners, based at an established seven-acre vineyard four miles from the East Sussex coast, and owned since 2017 by Boutinot.

Boutinot RRP £49.99

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ABV 12%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

Champagne, France NV The oldest wine producer in Champagne (it was founded in 1584), Gosset is a qualityfocused house that these days sources its fruit primarily from 160 longstanding partner growers in Premier and Grand Cru villages.

For this outstanding rosé cuvée, chef de cave Odilon de Varine blends the red wine component with white before vinifying in stainless steel, and avoids malolactic to preserve the freshness that is such a key part of the house style. The wine ages for four years on its lees and has a dosage of 4g/l.

“Lovely grown-up, sophisticated style,” the judges said. “Refined but racy, elegant but vibrant.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines RRP £73.73

ABV 12%

Champagne Delavenne Grand Cru Balbiacus Blanc de Noirs

Yering Station Chardonnay

Champagne, France 2018

One of Australia’s most historic wineries, Yering Station was the first vineyard in the state of Victoria, planted by the Scottish-born Ryrie brothers way back in 1838. Almost 200 years later, it remains one of Australia’s – and the world’s – leading producers of coolclimate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with this estate bottling among its flagship wines.

Barrel fermented with a mix of wild and selected yeasts for 10 to 14 days, without MLF, it was aged for nine months in 20% new 500-litre French oak puncheons. “Savoury nose, with tarragon and a slightly buttery feel,” the judges said. “Great palate and finish, smooth and pristine.”

Champagne Delavenne is a grower-producer in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy in the Montagne de Reims. Founded in 1920, it’s currently run by the fourth generation Christophe Delavenne with his wife Maëlle Delavenne.

Bouzy is well-known for the quality of its Pinot Noir, and the family’s organically-grown fruit is put to full use in this 100% Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs, which has a dosage of 4g/l.

“Lovely development on the nose; this is a gorgeous soft style with so much complexity,” the judges said. “Creamy and autolytic, it’s a very comforting, deeply enjoyable wine.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Vindependents RRP £61

Yarra Valley, Australia 2022

ABV 12%

RRP £25.25

ABV 13%

Atamisque Catalpa Chardonnay

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Viognier

Tupungato, Argentina 2023

Casablanca Valley, Chile 2023

With French winemaker Philippe Caraguel at the helm, Atamisque, in San José in Tupungato in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, has earned a reputation for making fine wines from numerous (French) varieties as well as the usual Malbec, with Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and, in this case, Chardonnay all making an impression.

With 50% fermented in new French oak barrels, and 50% in stainless steel, it’s a “complex, balanced Argentinian Chardonnay that wins on texture and on fruit,” the judges said. “A deliciously rounded mouth feel, with integrated oak and a fresh finish. It ticks just about all the boxes.”

One of Chile’s most influential wineries, Emiliana is globally renowned as an early adopter of biodynamic and organic viticulture, and its near-1,000ha of sustainably farmed vineyards now extend across sites in Casablanca, Maipo, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Bío Bío.

For this “gorgeous” Viognier, the source is a Casablanca vineyard with soils of decomposed granite, with the fruit harvested at night and fermented and aged in a mix of stainless steel and French oak barrels of various sizes and ages.

“Green fruit and salted caramel on the nose … this is beautifully done, with a lovely peachy palate,” the judges said. “Great value, too.”

Ucopia Wines

Boutinot

RRP £22.50

ABV 13.5%

RRP £14.99

ABV 14.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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white wines Domaine Jean Perrier et Fils Chignin-Bergeron

Vins Rijckaert Viré-Clessé Rendez-Vous de Septembre

Savoie, France 2024

Burgundy, France

Based in the French Alpine region of Savoie for seven generations, the Perrier family is a traditional producer that is committed to local varieties such as Jacquère and, for this cuvée, Bergeron, the local name for Roussanne.

Sourced from vineyards in calcium-rich soils on south-facing plots, the wine is unoaked, and benefits from a three-week fermentation at 20°C using native yeasts.

“So good to see wines like this – something a bit different,” the judges said. “It’s beautifully made, with a butter shortbread and candied lemon quality, and terrific length, intensity and texture. Would be a hand-sell, perhaps, but well worth the trouble.”

Belgian Jean Rijckaert has been an important presence in the Mâconnais for four decades now, beginning as a négociant in 1990, before starting his eponymous domaine in 1998.

Today the property, which also includes an operation in the Jura, is run by winemaker Florent Rouve.

Aged for 10 months on the lees in neutral French oak without bâtonnage, this Chardonnay from the rising-star Viré-Clessé appellation shows “beautiful concentration and depth”, the judges said. “Lovely richness on the palate, but it is all so harmonious and balanced. Simply delicious, classy white Burgundy.”

Alliance Wine

Berkmann Wine Cellars

RRP £27.04

ABV 13%

RRP £33

ABV 13%

Julien Brocard Chablis La Boissonneuse

Joseph Mellot Le Troncsec

Chablis, France 2023

Pouilly-Fumé, France 2024

As the son of the celebrated winemaker Jean-Marc Brocard, Julien Brocard has his hands full with his day job running the family business, one of Chablis’ best-known wine producers. But he also makes a range of smallproduction wines under his own label, using biodynamically-farmed fruit from parcels such as La Boissonneuse, the source of this Top 100 winner, and certified biodynamic since 1998.

“This has a beautifully expressive nose and lovely fruit and fresh acidity on the palate,” the judges said. “It’s a near-perfect expression of Chablis, with perfect balance. A must-stock.”

The Mellot family’s roots in Central Loire wine run as far back as 1513, when Pierre Etienne Mellot founded the estate that has become all but synonymous with the region. Today, Catherine Corbeau Mellot heads up a business that takes in more than 100ha of prime vineyard sites in each of the region’s main appellations, including the 9.5ha Le Troncsec in Pouilly-Fumé which provides the fruit for this “brilliant” single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc “Subtle nose; this is beautifully made, with lovely wet stone and earthy leesy richness and white fruits,” the judges said. “Creamy yet mouthwatering, with lovely acidity and length.”

Berkmann Wine Cellars

Hatch Mansfield

RRP £42

RRP £26.22

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ABV 13%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ABV 12.5%

Vignoble Alain Robert Vouvray Ammonite

Dopff au Moulin Riesling Schoenenbourg Grand Cru

Loire Valley, France 2023

Alsace, France 2018

Very much a family affair, Alain Robert founded this Vouvray domaine in the village of Chançay with his wife Christiane in 1973, and they are joined today by son Cyril and daughter Catherine, who are both experienced winemakers. For this award-winning cuvée, the family use their oldest (50 years old) vines, which are grown on clay and silex soils. Aged in French oak of various ages (20% new) and sizes (228 and 400 litres), it spends 12 months on fine lees.

“Creamy nose, citrus, ripe stone fruits and crème fraiche … this is a rich but very wellbalanced style,” the judges said. “The oak is well integrated, with vanilla hints on a palate of bruised apple and apple compote.”

An Alsace estate that can trace its origins through 13 generations to the 16th century, Dopff au Moulin has access to some of the region’s finest vineyard plots.

Few are finer than Schoenenbourg, the “beautiful hill” just north of Riquewihr, a Grand Cru in which Dopff au Moulin has some 8.8ha.

It is the source of this “stunning” Riesling, which was made with gently pressed whole bunches, and matured in old oak casks on its lees for several months.

“Just an extremely accomplished bit of winemaking,” the judges said. “Petrol notes are just starting to be evident, alongside honey and nuts. Great concentration of flavour with superb balance.”

Cachet Wine

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

RRP £21.99

ABV 12.5%

Domaines Paul Mas Soleil Blanc de Lauriga Côtes du Roussillon, France 2024 Repeat Top 100 winner Jean Claude Mas was at it again this year, and his latest contribution to the selection is a blend of Grenache Blanc and Macabeu from one of the best estates in his portfolio: the 68ha Château Lauriga.

Established in the Middle Ages, Lauriga has at its heart the 102-year-old “El Rey” vineyard, a venerable parcel that provides some of the fruit for a wine that the judges said “is full of southern charm”.

“Really lovely nose: peachy, with some pine-like notes,” the judges continued. “On the palate, gentle sweet fruit, building in texture and finishing nutty. Amazing complexity and concentration for the money.”

Domaines Paul Mas RRP £16.99

ABV 14%

RRP £37.50

ABV 14%

white wines Domaine De La Baume Terres de La Baume Viognier

Gaia Wines Ammonite Assyrtiko Santorini, Greece, 2023

IGP Pays d’Oc, France 2024 Originally founded in 1880, Domaine de la Baume was briefly part of the Australian group BRL Hardy before current owners, the Helfrich family, snapped it up in 2003. For the past quarter of a century, the Helfrichs have refined and replanted much of the Languedoc property, which now covers 216ha with a mix of local and international varieties, including a well-established plot of Viognier.

“This offers a real point of difference for a range,” the judges said. “Delicate oaking with subtle smokiness on the nose, but all nicely integrated – it’s still got lots of fruit and texture and it finishes fresh.”

Santorini Assyrtiko is now safe in its position at the top of the hierarchy of the world’s great white wines. One of the main producers responsible for the style’s rise to prominence, Gaia Estate, is still a standout on the island, with this Assyrtiko cuvée produced from the Thalassina plot, a “very old piece of land on the highest spot of Megalohori”.

“Creamy butter nose (delicate and wellintegrated), it feels like a hug from the honey monster,” the judges said. “But there’s loads of nervy acidity, too – stony and lemony.

Amazing!”

Les Grands Chais de France

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

RRP £23

RRP £95

ABV 14.5%

August Kesseler The Daily August Riesling

ABV 14%

Diamantakis Vidiano Heraklion, Greece 2025

Rheingau, Germany 2024 A prodigy when he first took over the family estate aged just 19 in 1977, August Kesseler is now firmly established as one of Germany’s finest winemakers, making outstanding Riesling and Pinot Noir from his 32.5ha of vineyards spread across some of the very best spots in the Rheingau.

The fruit for this Riesling is sourced from plots in three of those sites – Hattenheimer Wisselsbrunnen, Erbacher Siegelsberg and Lorcher Schlossberg – with each plot vinified separately.

“Typical orchard nose, and a beautifully balanced palate of ripe orchard fruits,” the judges said. “Fuller bodied and mouthfilling, this is very good indeed.”

Alliance Wine RRP £21.99

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The Diamantakis family have always been big supporters of the Vidiano grape. A key indigenous variety in Kato Asites in Heraklion in Crete, the family made it one of the centrepieces of the vineyard they planted when they founded the winery in 2007.

This expression is made with what the winery calls a “classic white vinification”. That means a cool (16°C) fermentation, and three months’ ageing on the fine lees before bottling, the aim being to preserve pure fruit character.

“So fragrant and distinctive,” the judges said. “Green fruit, vegetal/herbal characters of liquorice root and tarragon and a well-rounded finish.”

Vindependents ABV 12.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £19.50

ABV 13.5%

Gizella Winery Gizella Cuvée

Cantina Lavis Maso Franch Bianco

Tokaj, Hungary 2025

Trentino, Italy 2017

Having long since stepped out of the shadow cast by the region’s great sweet wines, dry Furmint from Tokaj has become a must-list in many independents over the past few years – and, as the judges said, Gizella’s Top 100 winner is “an excellent candidate” for that spot on the shelf.

“Restrained on the nose, it really comes to life on the palate, with loads of fruit and energy,” the judges said. “Really ripe apples and a bit of pear and a long lingering finish with fruit that lasts every bit as long as the fine acidity.”

One of Italy’s most impressive and longrunning cooperatives, Cantina Lavis is also a flagbearer for the Trentino region, playing an important role in safeguarding its local grape varieties and winemaking culture.

For this white, the variety in question is Manzoni, a crossing of Pinot Blanc and Riesling from the 1930s, which, according to importer Cachet Wine, is “produced on an old farm guarded by a magnificent, unspoilt environment and natural ecosystem”.

“Deep colour and wonderful intensity: quite pithy, herbaceous, nutty and stone-fruity,” the judges said. “An excellent, complex palate with a luxurious mouth feel.”

Delibo Wine Agencies

Cachet Wine RRP £25.99

RRP £20

ABV 13%

Zaccagnini Verdicchio Classico Superiore Salmàgina Castelli di Jesi, Italy 2023 Although they also work plots of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and Cabernet, the two brothers behind Zaccagnini are specialists in the great local variety Verdicchio.

For this Top 100 winner, they sourced the fruit from their 25ha of Verdicchio Classico DOC vines within their 42ha Salmàgina vineyards which sit at around 500m above sea level.

Unoaked with a short period on the lees, the winemaking is all about the purest possible expression of the Verdicchio fruit. “A subtle, elegant nose leads into a vibrant palate of blossom, orchard fruit and juicy white pear,” the judges said. “Delightful.”

Alliance Wine RRP £25.35

ABV 14%

ABV 13%

Pala Nuragus Milleluci Nuragus di Cagliari, Italy 2024 Described by importer Berkmann Wine Cellars as “a modern-day reference point for Sardinian wine”, Pala is a family-run winery that was founded by the current owner Mario Pala’s father in 1950.

The Pala vineyards have a typically Sardinian, culturally rich mix of varieties of French, Italian and Spanish origin, including the Nuragus used for this dry white, a grape thought to have arrived in Sardinia with the Phoenicians.

“Fresh, honeyed nose – lovely breezy quality,” the judges said. “On the palate it’s beautifully fresh and gently fruity – a subtly distinctive standout.”

Berkmann Wine Cellars RRP £21.50 ABV 12%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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white wines Casa Grazia Per Mari Grillo

Umberto Cesari Trebbiano Amphora

Sicily, Italy 2025

IGT Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna, Italy 2023

In her own words on the company’s website, Maria Grazia di Francesco “[discovered] herself as a wine-loving woman, fascinated by the vineyards” after taking over the Sicilian family estate of a friend in the 1980s.

In a microclimate greatly influenced by the presence of nearby Lake Biviere, Casa Grazia focuses on native varieties, such as the Grillo used to make this “fantastic” dry white.

“Really pale in colour, but super vibrant, and fresh and minerally on the palate,” the judges said. “Delicious, zesty and lively, it lingers with pith aplenty (in a very good way!)”

DellaVita Wines RRP £22.38

A multiple award-winning producer in Emilia Romagna (it’s picked up four IWSC Italian winemaker of the year awards in the past 15 years, among other prizes), Umberto Cesari is now run by the eponymous founder’s son, Gianmaria Cesari, who continues in the same innovative vein as his father.

This cuvée, for example, is made using a mix of spherical concrete tanks and cocciopesto (a traditional Roman material) amphorae.

It makes for a wine that, our judges said, is “exceptionally well-priced for the sophistication and quality. Clean orchard fruit and a slight honeyed feel, with an excellent pithy finish.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines ABV 12.5%

Tedeschi Capitel Tenda Soave Classico

RRP £18.50

ABV 13%

Vigneti Radica Pecorino IGT Terre d’Abruzzo, Italy 2025

Soave Classico, Italy 2022 Antonietta, Sabrina and Riccardo are the latest in a long line of Tedeschis making wine in the Veneto – the family estate dates back to the 1630s. Today, the family is still focusing on the region’s classics: Valpolicella, Amarone, Ripasso and, in the case of this Top 100 winner, Soave.

An unoaked 100% Garganega from vines grown in the region’s oldest area, the commune of Monteforte d’Alpone, it’s a “really stylish wine”, the judges said.

“Flint, slate, richness and a gentle honeyed/ oxidative touch all combine with great fruit and lively acidity. The finish is stony, cool and mineral.”

Marcato Direct

Fells RRP £18.99

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With three generations of winemaking experience in the family, and with 30ha of (largely organic) vineyards across four municipalities in Abruzzo, the Radica family are specialists in the central Italian region’s many local distinctive grape varieties, with Pecorino very much included.

For this organic example, the fruit comes from a south east-facing vineyard planted at an elevation of 100m, just 2km from the sea, and it’s fermented and aged in small stainlesssteel tanks for maximum fruit expression.

“Fresh and pretty with zingy acidity and uplifting notes of green apple skins and citrus, this is just outstanding value,” the judges said.

ABV 12.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £15.50

ABV 12.5%

Heaphy Riesling Nelson, New Zealand 2024

Symington Family Estates Quinta da Fonte Souto White

Old vines is not (yet) a phrase often used in discussions of New Zealand wine. But the Riesling made from Heaphy’s collection of 30and 50-year-old unirrigated vines – planted in one of the country’s earliest commercial vineyards in Nelson Tasman in the north west of the South Island in 1973 – is a rare exception, and a vivid snapshot of what’s possible in the country from mature plants.

Aged for eight months on the fine lees, “it’s a really classic off-dry Riesling”, the judges said.

“Citrus, lime, residual sugar, lovely weight on the palate and excellent concentration and acidity.”

Alentejo, Portugal 2023

Boutinot

Fells

RRP £14.99

ABV 12.9%

Better known – indeed, world renowned – for their fortified and, in recent years, table wines in the Douro, the Symington family have been increasingly adventurous of late, with projects in Vinho Verde in Portugal’s far north (Mendes & Symington) and at the 206ha Quinta da Fonte Souto in Alentejo, the southern home of this “very smart” Top 100 entry.

A blend of Arinto with 25% Verdelho, fermented and aged in a mix of French oak and stainless steel, “it has flavours of citrus rind, salted lemon and kaffir lime, rounded off with gentle oak and a long and moreish finish,” the judges said.

RRP £23.99

ABV 14.5%

Two Rivers Phoenix Pinot Gris

Global Wines Vinha Maria Reserva White

Marlborough, New Zealand 2025

Dão, Portugal 2024

While New Zealand Sauvignon remains a banker across the trade, many independents have a preference for the country’s other grape varieties – or at least believe they deserve a share of the spotlight.

So, it’s perhaps no surprise that the two New Zealand whites in this year’s Top 100 selection are a Riesling and, in this case, a Pinot Gris.

Not that there’s any sense of tokenism. As the judges said, “this is a brilliant example of what New Zealand can do with Pinot Gris.

Deliciously ripe apricot … it has texture while also feeling fresh and bright. Terrific value for money.”

While they may never go fully mainstream, Dão whites, especially those made – as here – with the standout native white grape Encruzado, have certainly garnered a cult following in recent years. And, according to the Top 100 judges, this fine example from Global Wines’ Vinha Maria label, goes a long way to explaining why.

“Lovely toasty nose – so inviting with the carefully handled oak and ripe and fresh citrus and stone fruit,” the judges said. “The palate has a great mouth feel – textured and rich but with cut and thrust. Just amazing value for a wine of such character.”

The Antipodean Sommelier

Marta Vine

RRP £16

RRP £13

ABV 12.5%

ABV 13%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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WHAT OUR JUDGES SAY “We spend our days talking to customers, helping them to explore the wonderful world of wine, to discover something new, and find bottles that offer genuine quality and value.

That’s what makes the Top 100 so relevant to us. The wines are judged with a strong focus on what people actually want to drink and buy. Taking part in the judging was not only enjoyable but genuinely insightful, offering the chance to taste an incredible range of wines and share ideas with fellow industry professionals. I would highly recommend getting involved.”

Garry Lui Cru, Manchester “Judging for the Wine Merchant Magazine Top 100 is a real pleasure; it’s a great chance to connect with other independent merchants, socially, but also on a business level. Tasting wines alongside other merchants gives you an important insight into how other businesses operate, the choices they make and the way they organise their range with different locations and demographics.”

Michael Boniface No2 Pound Street “I had so much fun judging. I loved the flight format, where we could closely compare wines of the same varieties from the same region, and it was really interesting to judge as objectively as I could whilst also listening to what made me personally most excited in each wine. It’s great to see the huge range of stylish, quirky and contemporary wines being promoted by independent wine merchants and it confirmed my belief that indies are doing some of the most innovative work in the industry.”

Caitlin Farrell Soho Wine Supply 32

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

white, Rosé & RED wi Daschbosch avon Old Vine Clairette Blanc Breedekloof, South Africa 2022 Proving that South Africa’s treasure trove of old vines is not solely made up of Chenin Blanc, this intense dry white from a winery founded in 1754 is produced from a longforgotten plot of Clairette vines planted in Breedekloof in 1977. The grapes are handpicked, whole-bunch pressed, and fermented in fourth-fill French oak, then aged on the lees, with regular bâtonnage, for a further two to three months.

The result? “A very perfumed, very pretty, very floral, deliciously intense wine,” the judges said. “Ripe lemon and tropical fruit on the beeswaxy palate, which is ideally balanced with orange citrus.”

Boutinot RRP £22.99

ABV 12%

Avondale Wine Cyclus Paarl, South Africa 2020 The biodynamically-grown grapes in this typically unusual Cape blend of 24% Viognier, 24% Roussanne, 24% Chenin Blanc, 14% Chardonnay and 14% Semillon all hail from the Grieve family’s 160ha Avondale farm, where vines have been cultivated for more than 300 years, making it one of the first wine estates in the Paarl Valley to be devoted to the production of wine grapes.

“A really special wine that combines weight and freshness, richness and great acidity in a single succulent package,” the judges said.

“Bright apple pie and honeysuckle flavours, and a long, long finish.”

Cachet Wine RRP £27.95

ABV 13.5%

ines Villiera Barrel Fermented Chenin Blanc

Sella & Mosca Anemone Rosato

Stellenbosch, South Africa 2023

Alghero, Italy 2024

Originally founded by cousins Jeff and Simon Grier near Stellenbosch in the early 1980s, Villiera Wines has since gone on to become one of the largest producers in South Africa, with a wide range of styles and a particular emphasis on Cap Classique fizz.

For this Chenin, the fruit goes through a natural fermentation and then ages for 10 months in a mix of new and used French oak with regular bâtonnage.

“It walks the fine line between backed sweetness and roundness in a quite beautifully balanced way,” the judges said.

“There’s so much going on right into the long smoky finish.”

Sella & Mosca, named after the Piedmontese engineer and lawyer who founded the winery in 1900 and now part of the Terra Moretti group of Italian estates, is one of Sardinia’s longest-running and most influential wine producers, with some 520ha of Equalitascertified, sustainably managed vineyards in the island’s north western corner.

For this modern rosé, the Cannonau grapes come from a vineyard near the company’s winery in Alghero, and they are gently pressed, fermented and aged in stainless steel, for what the judges called “an excellent alternative to Provence. Great fruit, elegance and a great price.”

Les Grands Chais de France

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

RRP £25

RRP £14.75

ABV 13.4%

ABV 12%

Château Sainte Marguerite Symphonie

Benegas Estate Cabernet Franc

Côtes de Provence, France 2024

Mendoza, Argentina 2022

An early adopter of the potential for fine Provençal rosé (as well as white and red), Château Sainte Marguerite has stayed at the top of this increasingly competitive field for 50 years now and is one of just 18 estates to be ranked as a Cru Classé des Côtes-de-Provence.

First produced in 1999, the Symphonie is the house’s flagship cuvée, a Grenache-CinsaultRolle blend made with a cold maceration before pressing.

“A graceful mix of fleshy stone fruit and crunchy red fruit in classic Provence style,” the judges said. “A very smart example, it’s fresh and textured on the finish.”

Cabernet Franc has taken to Argentina’s high-altitude conditions every bit as well as Malbec, and while the two varieties are also complementary blending partners, the country’s winemakers are increasingly looking to bottle Cabernet Franc on its own.

One such is Federico Benegas Lynch, of Benegas Estate on the old Upper Mendoza riverbank in Cruz de Piedra. Aged for six months in French oak, Benegas’ Cab Franc was described by the judges as a “vin de soif, but the complexity is very much there if you want it. Berries and vanilla, and a lovely finish with great length”.

Berkmann Wine Cellars

Ucopia Wines

RRP £29.25

RRP £22

ABV 13%

ABV 14.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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RED wines Mauricio Lorca Gran Malbec

Pyren Vineyard Earthscape Cabernet Franc

Vista Flores, Argentina 2022

Pyrenees, Victoria, Australia 2023

One of the stars of modern Argentinian wine (and with a much-admired project in Ribeira Sacra in Galicia, Spain, too), Mauricio Lorca’s Mendoza venture is split between a winery in Luján de Cuyo and some high-density, highaltitude vines in Vista Flores in the Uco Valley – the latter the source of this outstandingly refined Malbec.

“Lovely rich fruit here, as well as chocolate and well-managed oak – this is smooth and rich but so much more than that,” the judges said. “There’s a hint of tobacco leaf and something like eucalyptus that adds a lovely freshness, too.”

One of a number of fine Cabernet Francs to get the vote in this year’s awards, this Australian example is part of Victorian producer Pryen’s Earthscape brand, which takes its name from what importer Boutinot calls “the lie of the land on which Pyren is planted”.

Made using 50% whole-berry and 50% wholebunch carbonic maceration and with wild yeasts, it was aged for six to eight months in used Hungarian oak.

“Vibrant, pencil-shaving, spicy … this is lovely, without being sterile or ‘precise’,” the judges said. “Very nice crunchy tannins and freshness: classic Cab Franc, basically.”

Ucopia Wines

Boutinot

RRP £42.50

ABV 14.5%

De Angeles Gran Malbec

RRP £19.99

ABV 12.5%

Peter Lehmann Hill & Valley Shiraz

Vistalba, Argentina 2018 Old vines are the key to this remarkable wine

by Juan Manuel Gonzalez at De Angeles: the grapes come from a single vineyard and parcel in Vistalba in Luján de Cuyo (Viña 1924, Parcel 3) which is planted with ungrafted vines that are more than 95 years old.

“It’s such a fascinating wine, really individualistic but deliciously so,” the judges said. “Big and rich, but juicy and savoury, it smells of balsamic onion, tomato soup and dark berries. Lots of tannin but it’s really well integrated and there’s just a hint of marzipan to add to the complexity. Amazing.”

Ucopia Wines RRP £50.50

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Barossa Valley, Australia 2023 A genuine icon of Australian wine, the legacy of Peter Lehmann, who died in 2013, is being kept alive at the eponymous winery by a native Barossan winemaker, Brett Schutz, and his team.

According to UK agent Boutinot, for this classic Shiraz, Schutz chooses a mix of new and older French oak hogsheads for ageing for 12 months before blending, fining, filtration and bottling.

“Absolute textbook Barossa Shiraz stuff, and all the better for it,” the judges said. “Rich, dark, deep cut fruit, lots of tannic stuffing and freshness, too – just excellent work at this price point.”

Boutinot ABV 14.9%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £15.99

ABV 14.5%

Pfaffl St Laurent Wald

Planters Ridge Quintessence

Niederösterreich, Austria 2024 According to the Pfaffl family, St-Laurent is “a real diva” of a variety. It’s fussy, in other words, which is why the Pfaffls only plant it “on the edge of the forest so that the cool nights can prolong the ripening period”.

The method seems to be working, with this St-Laurent, which is aged in a 50/50 mix of used barriques and stainless steel, appealing to the judges with its “mineral and medicinalfruity character”.

“It feels more like a traditional European wine,” the judges continued, “which, seeing as it’s also delicious, can only be a good thing.”

Nova Scotia, Canada 2022 The first Nova Scotia wine ever to make its way into the Wine Merchant Top 100, and also the first appearance from the Lucie Kuhlmann, Castel and Marquette grape varieties, Quintessence is the work of Planters Ridge, a small-scale winery in Port Williams with, according to importer Daniel Lambert Wines, “a rich pastoral setting … on a vineyard planted on the sandy-clay slopes of a ridge overlooking the Wellington Dyke”.

“Wild damson, fruit-of-the-forest nose and dark cherries: it tastes like a bramble cocktail,” the judges said. “Stony minerals, sappy, juicy and bright. What a find!”

Daniel Lambert Wines

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £20

RRP £27

ABV 13.5%

GeorgieV/Milkov Mixtape

ABV 12%

Westcott Vineyards Pinot Noir

Thracian Valley, Bulgaria 2024 Friends and fellow winemakers Petar Georgiev and Radostin Milkov have applied their skills in numerous wine regions around the world, but in recent years have been back at home in Bulgaria, working with parcels of indigenous varieties to make recognisably Bulgarian wines such as this Top 100 winner.

“Stewed rhubarb nose which then continues onto the palate,” the judges said. “This fruit character is quite unusual, but then Pamid, Mavrud and Rubin are not your usual grape varieties. As well as being quirky it’s really rather delicious. Could chill this down nicely too. Very interesting.”

Niagara, Canada 2022 The second Canadian Top 100 entry this year may not have quite the exotic varietal mix as its Daniel Lambert portfolio partner from Nova Scotia, but it made an equally big impact on the judges.

A 100% Pinot Noir sourced from two Niagara vineyards, it’s fermented using wild yeasts and aged for 22 months in 100% used French oak.

“Obviously cool-climate Pinot, and a really well-made version,” the judges said. “It’s got crunchy raspberry and redcurrant, very fine tannins and brilliant acidity that is just so refreshing, bright and long.”

The Jolly Merchants

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £22

RRP £27.50

ABV 12.5%

ABV 12.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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RED wines emiliana 57 Rocas Carmenere

Domaine de la Commanderie Chinon

Colchagua Valley, Chile 2023

Loire Valley, France 2022

The second wine in the Top 100 from this pioneering organic and biodynamic producer is produced from fruit grown on ungrafted vines in Emiliana’s organic vineyard in Los Robles in the Colchagua Valley, which is fermented and then aged for 15 months in a mix of oak and concrete eggs.

“Really great quality here, and lots of true Chilean Carmenère character, too,” the judges said. “Tomato paste and onion jam on an attractively vegetal nose, while the palate is gastronomic, with generous fruits, a long finish and lightly toasted spiciness.”

Founded by self-styled “passionate vigneron” Philippe Pain in 1982 and now run by Philippe and his daughters Clothilde and Honorine, Domaine de la Commanderie works 50ha of vines – all in the process of conversion to organics – in the Chinon AOC. Aged for 15 months in large oak foudres, this Cabernet Franc went down a treat with the judges. “Lovely black fruit nose, and green pepper – classic Loire Cab Franc,” they said.

“Velvety purple colour, and furry plum on the palate. So much elegance, balance and freshness.”

Boutinot

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £19.99

ABV 14%

RRP £22

ABV 13%

Marchand Grillot Gevrey Chambertin En Songe

Producteurs Plaimont Grévière

Burgundy, France 2022

Madiran, France 2021

It might be expensive sometimes, but, as the judges put it, “there is no substitute for really good red Burgundy”. And this Gevrey lieu-dit, as the same judges went on to say, certainly qualifies for that category.

The work of a producer with 12ha of vineyards spread across 50 parcels in five top Côte de Nuits villages, it’s “spicy with warm black fruits on the nose – a wine of real depth and some power on the palate,” the judges said. “It needs time to age, as it’s still a bit tight, but it holds an awful lot of promise for the patient.”

With more than 1,000 member-growers, and with an accent on sustainable viticulture, the much-admired Plaimont cooperative has played a vital role in preserving the vinous heritage of Gascon south west France.

Tannat is a hugely important variety for both region and producer, and this 100% expression is, according to the judges, “an absolute textbook Madiran Tannat”.

“Love the deep, dark flavours and the tannic grip – it’s the sort of wine you want when it’s cold and dark outside and you’ve got a big rich meaty stew on the go, preferably something with duck.”

Daniel Lambert Wines

Cachet Wine

RRP £75.50

RRP £18.99

22 36

ABV 13.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ABV 14.5%

Paul Jaboulet Aîné Domaine de Roure Crozes-Hermitage Rouge

Calmel & Joseph Les Cuvées Rares – Les Elmes AOP Collioure, France 2022

Rhône Valley, France 2018 From one of the most respected producers in the northern Rhône, this single-vineyard Syrah comes from Domaine de Roure, a 1.4ha vineyard in a valley within the CrozesHermitage appellation acquired by Jaboulet in 1996.

Aged for up to 18 months in a mixture of French oak and concrete of various shapes and sizes, it is, the judges said, “full of dried fruits, raisin, cherry – delicious, concentrated fruit. Velvet texture, amazing balance … it’s still fresh and fruity with good tannins and intense fruit flavours right into the long finish.

Excellent!”

Calmel & Joseph has a nice way of describing the coastal Mediterranean terroir of the Collioure appellation: “exceptionally austere” is the phrase used on the company’s website, referring to the Roussillon region’s steep slopes and tough brown shale soils.

There’s nothing austere about this blend of largely Grenache (80%), with Mourvèdre and Syrah, however. Aged in oak for 12 months, it’s nothing short of “jazzy”, the judges said.

“Herby, spicy and full of sun and power, it’s big and winter-warming with excellent structure.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £52

RRP £24

ABV 15%

ABV 14.5%

Domaine Lafage Nicolas Grenache

Dauvergne Ranvier St Joseph

Côtes Catalanes, France 2023

Rhône Valley, France 2021

One of the top cuvées in the consistently excellent portfolio of Roussillon producer Domaine Lafage, the Grenache for this wine comes from 65-year-old vines grown in a vineyard with schist-marble soils in the foothills of the Pyrenees in the Agly Valley.

With each parcel vinified separately in open vats, it’s aged for 12 to 15 months in barrique.

“Smoky, fruity, rich and lovely,” the judges said.

“Bright and rounded on the palate, it’s soft like cocoa and full of berry fruit. Just a lovely, luxurious Grenache for all seasons.”

Dauvergne et Ranvier now works with partner-growers across France to produce quality wines. But the company started out in the Rhône, and the region retains its place as its principal area of expertise – as this fine expression of northern Rhône Syrah from the decomposed granite soils of the St-Joseph appellation shows.

“Sweet spice, clove, star anise and raisins on the nose,” the judges said. “Really good concentration of flavours, but so well balanced. It’s a great wine and would be absolutely perfect with a winter roast dinner.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £21

RRP £30.50

ABV 14.5%

ABV 13%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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RED wines M.Chapoutier Bila-Haut Rouge Côtes-du-Roussillon Villages, France 2024

Vignobles Andre Lurton Château de Rochemorin Rouge Péssac Léognan, France 2020

Although the Chapoutier name will forever be synonymous with the Rhône, after 27 years, the family’s Bila-Haut estate is now firmly established as one of the best in Roussillon.

Like the Rhône operation, it’s biodynamically farmed, with the Syrah for this red grown on the slopes of the Agly Valley.

“It’s a soft velvety thing of beauty,” the judges said. “Elegant, refined and with gentle spice, it’s a wine of depth and contrast that has been beautifully made. The kind of thing that gets you through the long winter nights, but it’s so much more than just another ‘winter warmer’.”

Once the property of the 18th-century French philosopher Montesquieu, Château de Rochemorin has managed to maintain a reputation for yielding fresh, balanced, mineral reds in a classic Graves style for more than three centuries.

In the warm, mild 2020 vintage, Cabernet Sauvignon led the blend, with 65%, along with Merlot (25%) and Petit Verdot, fermented in steel and aged for 12 months in French oak.

“Unmistakeably Bordeaux, and unmistakeably Graves, this is a lovely wine, and seriously good value at this price,” the judges said. “Earthy, restrained, full of pure dark fruit and ripe polished tannins.”

Hatch Mansfield

North South Wines

RRP £15.23

ABV 14%

Château de Pitray Les Prairies Castillon Côtes de Bordeaux, France 2022 Located just 8km east of St-Emilion, but with 130ha of vineyards, forests and meadows on the same clay-limestone plateau as its more famous neighbour, Château de Pitray, in the Côtes de Castillon appellation, produces some of the best value Bordeaux around. Expertise and experience clearly help: the Simard de Pitray family has been making wine here for 600 years across 25 generations.

Conceived as a fruit-forward wine, the Les Prairies cuvée is predominately aged in stainless steel. “Balanced, with juicy dark fruits, this is a great example of this youthful kind of Bordeaux style,” the judges said. “You could imagine drinking a lot of this.”

Liberty Wines RRP £25.99

32 22 38

RRP £28

ABV 14%

Bedoba Saperavi Kakheti, Georgia 2023 “Day of luck” is the rather lovely translation of “Bedoba”, which is the name of a Georgian specialist in the art of making Saperavi in qvevri clay pots.

There was nothing fortunate about Bedoba’s place in the Top 100, however, based as it was on the quality of this cuvée, which is made from 35-year-old vines in the Kindzmarauli and Kvareli subzones of the Kakheti region.

The wine has a “rich cedarwood quality reminiscent of good Cabernet Sauvignon”, the judges said. “There’s green pepper and blackberry too: lots of bright flavour, and while it’s certainly a little grippy, that will soften in time.”

Liberty Wines ABV 13.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £19.99

ABV 13.5%

JOSH BUTLER OF HALLGARTEN RECEIVES THE WHITE WINE TROPHY AT THE LONDON WINE FAIR CENTRE STAGE

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

39

RED wines Domaine Chatzivaritis Mosaic Red

Azienda Agricola Cortese Nostru Frappato

Slopes of Paiko, Greece 2023

IGP Terre Siciliane, Italy 2024

First established in Goumenissa in Greek Macedonia in 1994, Domaine Chatzivaritis has a pleasing combination of local and international varieties in its 20ha of organically-farmed vineyards – an eclectic mix that is on full display in this awardwinning, unoaked red blend.

Xinomavro, Negoska, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot all take up 25% of the final assemblage and, in the opinion of the judges, the parts add up to a highly satisfying whole.

“Good to see how well Xinomavro works in a blend – it’s reminiscent of a cooler-vintage Côtes du Rhône, and every bit as good with food,” the judges said.

The appetite for light, chillable red wines shows no signs of abating, and few wine styles are better at meeting the trend than Sicilian Frappato, with Azienda Agricola Cortese’s being an “absolutely textbook” example, according to the judges.

Made in a gentle, unoaked fashion which prioritises aromatic juicy fruit over weight and structure, it’s “all about the soft red fruits that leap out on the nose”, the judges said. “The palate is light and fresh and refreshing, with more of that juicy light strawberry fruitiness, but there’s more going on with a touch of spice and pepper. All in all, just very enjoyable summer wine.”

Alliance Wine RRP £20

ABV 13%

Muses Estate Mouhtaro

North South Wines RRP £16

ABV 12.5%

Tenuta Il Cascinone Rive

Central Greece, 2023 If you like your grape varieties as obscure as possible, Mouhtaro is hard to beat: it’s only grown in Askri, at the foot of Mount Helicon in Thiva, in central Greece. Revived by Muses Estate’s Anthanasios Zacharias, Mouhtaro thrives on the region’s slopes in the relative cool at 450m–550m elevation.

Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in new and used French oak for 12 months, this example is “savoury with tomato leaf, herb, biltong and tomato ketchup – so original and interesting,” the judges said. “It would be perfect with tomato-based pasta or lamb kofte.”

Barbera d’Asti, Italy 2022 The Il Cascinone estate in the Monferrato hills has been through a thoroughgoing restoration and replanting in the quarter century since it was acquired by its current owner, the highperforming Piedmont cooperative, Araldica, in the 1990s. Some 70ha of the estate’s 120ha are now in full production, with this Barbera coming from the warmer, south west-facing slopes.

Aged for 18 months in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak barriques, it’s “really serious wine for the money, and just brilliant for matching with meat-and-tomato Italian flavours”, the judges said. “Dry and grippy, it’s an engaging style that has been really well put together.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Boutinot

RRP £31.50

RRP £19.99

32 22 40

ABV 13.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ABV 14.5%

WHAT OUR JUDGES SAY Zeni Amarone della Valpolicella doc Barriques Veneto, Italy 2019 “A classic in every way,” the judges said of this Amarone della Valpolicella from the region’s Classico zone. “It hits all the right, hedonistic spots.”

As the “classic” description implies, it’s a blend of the three traditional Valpolicella varieties, Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, with the grapes going through the raisining process in small crates for four months.

After a vinification including 20 to 25 days’ maceration, ageing takes place in French oak barriques for 12 months, followed by a short period in stainless steel before bottling.

“Big, rich, smoky chocolate almonds and a glorious, powerful texture,” the judges said.

“Superb Amarone for cheese.”

Cachet Wine RRP £50.49

ABV 16%

Giuseppe Cortese Barbaresco, Italy 2023 A leading player in Barbaresco, Giuseppe Cortese sources this 100% Nebbiolo from a selection of vineyards near the estate’s winery.

The vines have an average age of 35 years and are planted on clay and limestone soil.

Aged for 18 months in large, five-to-six-yearold Slavonian oak barrels, the wine ages for a minimum of six months in bottle before release.

“Bright and jumps out of the glass – just loads of fruit,” the judges said. “It’s proper Nebbiolo, but in an accessible style, with dusty tannins and lovely integrated alcohol. Long, long finish – a banger.”

Vindependents RRP £42

ABV 14%

“Out of all the judging I’ve done, this felt the most real, the most relevant to what we actually do.

It was less about ‘does this wine deserve a score of X’ and more about ‘do I love this wine enough to consider stocking it?’ The fact we were exploring flights of grand cru Champagne next to flights of lesser-known Greek wines showed that this was truly about indie merchants, not just safe, popular options. It was great to meet other merchants and hear what they are doing.”

Duncan Gammie The Wee Vinoteca “It really gives you a flavour of current trends when listening to the judges: quite different opinions and passions from different parts of the country.

It’s definitely a great exercise in widening your horizons and getting out of my Surrey bubble. Turning up to the Top 100 stand at London Wine Fair was intriguing as I had no idea what the winning wines were until then and they were so different from the previous year, reflecting the changes in the trade.”

Charlotte Dean Wined Up Here “The real highlight was tasting alongside such a diverse and knowledgeable group. There’s something uniquely rewarding about discussing wines in a room full of people who all spot different things, and I came away having learned as much from the conversations as from the wines themselves. We found some absolute gems, a few wines that inspired more polite diplomacy than enthusiasm, and no shortage of lively discussion along the way.”

Abigail Connolly Connollys THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

41

RED wines Principiano Giuseppe e Francesco Barolo Barolo, Italy 2022 A long-established family-run Barolo producer, Principiano Giuseppe e Francesco has been going for four generations now, having been founded by Giuseppe Principiano in the early 1900s. Today run by Francesco Principiano, the estate has vines in Monforte d’Alba (where it is based) and Serralunga d’Alba.

Aged for two years in large 25 hectolitre Slavonian oak barrels, followed by 12 months in steel tanks and then for several months in bottle before release, the estate Barolo, a blend of different sites, has “lots of forest floor, mushrooms and lovely berry fruit,” the judges said. “Lively tannins and a very long finish – top class.”

Marcato Direct RRP £36.99

ABV 15%

Gran Sasso Alta Quota Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane Montepulciano, Italy 2024 Part of Abruzzo’s quality-focused Fantini group, Gran Sasso is named after the highest mountain in the Apennines, which shields the region from weather coming in from the west.

A winemaking team of Rino Santeusanio and Francesco de Santis is joined by consultant Alberto Antonini to craft wines from vines grown on a complex mix of soils cooled by breezes from the Adriatic Sea. “Concentrated in all the right ways and places, this is a real star of an Italian red,” the judges said. “Full of deep, dark berry fruit, the palate has a wealth of lovely savoury soft tannins.”

Liberty Wines RRP £25.99

ABV 14.5%

Famiglia Castellani Collesano Sangiovese

PietraNova Renzo Bolgheri Superiore

Tuscany, Italy 2020

Bolgheri, Italy 2022

Based near Pisa, Famiglia Castellani has more than 120 years of experience in Italian winemaking. Currently run by the fourthgeneration Piergiorgio Castellani, the family firm has 300ha of vineyards spread across six estates around Italy, with this 100% Sangiovese hailing from selected vineyard sites throughout Tuscany.

“On the richer end of the Sangiovese profile, this is stylish modern winemaking, with nice weight of black fruits and integrated tannins, leading to a sweet fruit finish,” the judges said.

“Approachable in style and very reasonable in price. Bravo!”

A long-term lover of all things Tuscan, Milanese businessman Franco Pravettoni set up shop in the region after buying the Casa al Piano estate in Bolgheri in the south of Tuscany in 2013. One of the oldest estates in Bolgheri, it’s now named PietraNova, and produces olive oil alongside acclaimed premium wines such as this Cabernet Sauvignon, which is aged in French oak barriques for 18 months.

“Absolutely gorgeous nose, saturated with delicious dark fruits,” the judges said. “Real concentration and big structure but packed with fruit and exceptional length.”

Gonzalez Byass UK

Marcato Direct

RRP £19

RRP £45.99

22 38 42

ABV 13%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ABV 14%

Cecchi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG

Seifried Estate Aotea Cabernet Franc

Tuscany, Italy 2020

Nelson, New Zealand 2021

One of the biggest names in Tuscan wine, Cecchi was established by Luigi Cecchi in 1893, and now produces a consistent range of wines across Tuscany, in which this “fantastic” Brunello di Montalcino is a star performer.

“In a flight of excellent Sangiovese, this Brunello really stood out for its mix of power, poise, fruit and drinkability,” the judges said.

“There’s so much depth to the nose, with ripe red and black cherry, and sage-like herbiness.

On the palate, it’s deeply flavoured with lots of structure, but you never forget the fruit.

Excellent.”

An estate founded in Nelson by Austrian Hermann Seifried back in the 1970s has gone on to become one of New Zealand’s most adventurous producers, vinifying a range of varieties across its 330 hectares. Part of the family’s flagship Aotea collection of singlevineyard, single-varietal wines, this Cabernet Franc was well-loved by the judges for its “authentically pure varietal character”.

“Pepper, graphite, cassis and freshness … it has great acidity and balance and real depth of flavour,” the judges said. “A true sommelier wine: this is very, very good.”

Vinexus

Fells

RRP £35

ABV 14.5%

Produttori Di Manduria Acid Crab Negroamaro IGT Puglia, Italy 2024 Founded in 1932, Produttori di Manduria is perhaps best known for its work with Puglia’s most famous red grape variety, Primitivo. For this cuvée, though, it’s one of the region’s other red powerhouses, Negroamaro, that is the focus in a wine that is fermented and aged in stainless steel for maximum fruit and varietal expression.

“Just beautifully bright and fresh on the nose with cherries and violets coming through on the palate,” the judges said. “It’s an excellent quaffer – no oak to speak of – and a perfect ‘Wednesday Night Wine’.”

Alliance Wine RRP £15.75

RRP £22

ABV 13.5%

Tohu One SV Pinot Noir Marlborough, New Zealand 2023 The world’s first Māori-owned winery, Tohu now has 28 years of experience in sourcing top-quality fruit from sites in a number of New Zealand’s best wine growing regions, from which winemakers Bruce Taylor and Anna McCarty apply their characteristically sensitive touch to a range of award-winning wines.

This single-vineyard Pinot won over the judges with a “totally gorgeous, expressive nose with its hint of mushroom, redcurrant and ripe wild strawberry. The oak is very gently applied, and the tannins are light and feathery. Lovely Pinot.”

North South Wines ABV 13%

RRP £30

ABV 12.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

43

RED wines Brennan Wines B2 Pinot Noir

Quinta da Romaneira Dona Clara

Central Otago, New Zealand 2022

Douro, Portugal 2020

The Brennan family planted their first vineyards in Gibbston in 1994, and began making wines that, in the Brennans’ own words, “harmonise science, art and a touch of magic” in 2006. Today winemaker Sean Brennan is at the helm for wines such as this Central Otago Pinot Noir, which is made using 30% whole cluster, and aged for 11 months in French oak barrels, 33% of which are new.

“Starts out with beautiful floral notes of violets combined with a bit of herbal lift,” the judges said. “Then there’s a touch of grass and parsnip root on the palate, which is gloriously silky, balanced and complex.”

The second wine from AXA Millésimes man Christian Seely’s high-flying Douro project in this year’s Top 100 is a red blend of classic Douro varieties (Touriga Francesa, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cao) with portions of both Syrah and Petit Verdot, both of which thrive in the Romaneira vineyard, bringing complexity and depth to the finished wine.

Each variety is fermented separately in stainless steel, before blending and ageing for 10 months in French oak barriques. “Baked fruit, black forest gâteau; some hints of spice and chocolate,” the judges said. “So well balanced, and still youthful – serious, but very drinkable stuff.”

The Antipodean Sommelier RRP £27

ABV 13.5%

Hallgarten & Novum Wines RRP £34

ABV 14%

Adega Co-op Casa Velha Tinto

José Maria da Fonseca Vinhos JMF Reserva

Douro, Portugal 2023

Setúbal, Portugal 2023

A wine appreciated by the judges for its “simply fabulous value”, Casa Velha Douro Red is the work of quality-focused co-op, Adega de Favios, which has been active in the Douro since 1952.

Using grapes grown on the Douro’s famous schist soils sourced at elevations between 300m–450m above sea level, the wine is fermented in steel before ageing in neutral older oak barrels to bring texture without adding flavour.

“Fruity and juicy but with an intriguing subtle tobacco-leaf, savoury edge, this is a wine with plenty of punch to the pound,” the judges said.

With almost 200 years of winemaking in Setúbal, the Fonseca family is one of the oldest wine producers in Portugal. Today run by the charismatic José Maria de Fonseca, the winery brings all that experience to bear on a range of Moscatel and table wines, such as this blend of Castelão, Trincadeira and Touriga Nacional.

Matured for six months in a mix of French and American oak, it is aged for a further four years in bottle before release. “Lots of spicy, super-ripe fruit, dark berries and currants, but with a real softness and natural feel,” the judges said. “Wonderful value.”

Marta Vine

Marta Vine

RRP £11.90

44

ABV 14%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £14

ABV 13%

TROPHY WINNERS RECEIVED THEIR AWARDS ON CENTRE STAGE AT THE LONDON WINE FAIR

NUMBER CRUNCHING Year

Median RRP

Average RRP

2026

£23.71

£29.99

2025

£23.00

£31.67

Style

White wines had their most successful year, increasing their share of the Top 100 wines from 23 to 31. Red wine saw its share slip a little, but whites made most of their gains at the expense of rosé, sweet and fortified wines.

This year's competition might have been expected to see a rise in the average selling price of winning wines. But the figure has actually gone down by 68p – even if the median average has gone up a little.

2025

2026

Change

Red

58

55

-3

White

23

31

+8

Orange

0

1

+1

Rosé

6

3

-3

Sparkling

5

7

+2

Fortified

4

2

-2

Sweet

4

1

-3

Total

100

100

—

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

45

RED wines Cas Amaro Falatorio Bastardo Tinto

False Bay old school Syrah Coastal Region, South Africa 2023

Lisboa, Portugal 2022 A project that places equal weight on wine tourism and winemaking, Cas’Amaro seeks excellence in both at its five properties that span the country from north to south in Vinho Verde, Douro, Dão, Alentejo and the source of this “brilliant” Top 100 winner, Lisbon.

A 100% Bastardo grown on clay and limestone soils, the wine ages in cement vats for a year, and in bottle for six months, before release. “Floral notes: fresh, fruity, light and full of sweet berries. On the palate it’s bright with cranberry, and lots of acidity. Just a great example of a unique character of Portuguese wine.”

Started by Waterkloof founder Paul Boutinot, but operating as an independent company, according to UK importer Boutinot, False Bay Vineyards “aims to make ‘real’ wine affordable”.

The judges certainly felt this 100% Syrah, made from grapes largely sourced in two cool coastal vineyards in Stellenbosch, hit the price-quality ratio jackpot. Made with wild yeast with a small portion of whole bunch, and aged in neutral oak foudre, it’s “very good indeed”, the judges said. “Spicy, smooth, rich and fruit-filled, with a Crozes-Hermitage-style freshness and savouriness, it’s just insane value for money.”

Richmond Wine Agencies

Boutinot

RRP £20.65

RRP £10.99

ABV 12%

ABV 13.5%

Jordan Cobblers Hill

Avondale Wine La Luna

Stellenbosch, South Africa 2024

Paarl, South Africa 2017

Two of the most familiar and important figures in the evolution of modern South African wine, Gary and Kathy Jordan have been working their 164ha hillside property in Stellenbosch for more than 30 years now, although the estate’s winemaking history goes back even further: over 330 years.

Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on west-facing slopes at 220m above sea level, leads the way in the couple’s flagship Bordeaux blend, which spends 18 months ageing in French oak barrique. “A stunning bottle of red, with depth, fruit, great tannin texture, a long finish and an ability to age,” the judges said.

The second wine from the Grieves family’s historic 160ha Paarl estate in this year’s Top 100 is a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Its name is a nod to the biodynamic practices employed on the estate, which follow the phases of the moon, “la luna”.

“So good to see a South African wine with a bit of age, which brings a really mellow character while still holding on to the fruit,” the judges said. “Aromas of cocoa powder and milk chocolate, and soft tannins, great length.

Very smart and good value for the quality.”

Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies

Cachet Wine

RRP £46

RRP £29.99

46

ABV 13.5%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ABV 14%

Ayama Silent Farms Carignan Voor-Paardeberg, South Africa 2023 A hillside vineyard first settled by French Huguenot refugee Martin Pouissin, Ayama specialises in unusual varieties in the Voor Paaderberg, including Vermentino and the Carignan used for this fascinating red.

The hand-picked Carignan from Ayama’s “Silent Farm” gets three weeks of postfermentation maceration before ageing for a year in oak barrels. “There’s so much deep dark fruit here – it just makes you want to dive in,” the judges said. “On the palate the tannins build in a really satisfying way – it’s really mouthfilling. Very impressive wine with a velvety finish. High quality.”

DellaVita Wines RRP £34.90

Bodega Otero Reserva Valles de Benavente, Spain 2016 With more than 100 years of winemaking experience, Bodegas Otero is a producer intimately associated with the Valles de Benavente region in the province of Zamora in Castilla y Léon in north west Spain. Local grape variety Prieto Picudo is a particular speciality, and here makes up 100% of the blend in a wine that is aged for 24 months in American and French oak and long ageing in bottle before release.

“Smells and tastes a little like an aged Bordeaux, with vanilla oak, but it’s still showing its youth with dark fruit and velvet tannins and a bit of peppered spiciness on the finish,” the judges said. “A wine with loads of character and value.”

Cachet Wine ABV 14%

Bodegas Bernabeleva Camino de Navaherreros Tinto Madrid, Spain 2025

RRP £19.49

ABV 14.5%

Bodegas Señorio Arana Reserva del Oja Rioja, Spain 2019

The old-vine Garnachas of the mountainous terrain to the west of Madrid have become some of the standard-bearers of modern Spanish wine, and here’s another fine example from a producer based at the foot of the Cerro de Guisando in the Gredos mountains.

With 10% Tempranillo also included in the blend, the high-altitude Garnacha is aged for six months in upright oak vats and stainless steel. “Plump and juicy and really clean and bright, this is modern Spanish Garnacha in all its glory,” the judges said. “Loving the pure fruit and light tannins, but there’s depth too.”

The first of two outstanding Riojas from Bodegas Señorio de Arana in this year’s Top 100 is a modern take on the traditional Rioja Reserva recipe.

A blend of 90% Tempranillo, 5% Mazuelo and 5% Graciano from estate vineyards around the property in the admired wine village of Labastida in Alava, the wine is aged for 18 months in a mix of American and French oak barrels.

“Absolutely classic nose of fine Rioja – lovely to smell, with a promise of pleasure,” the judges said. “The palate follows through, with deep reserva quality, with velvety tannins but plenty of fruit with the oakiness.”

Alliance Wine

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £23.43

ABV 14.5%

RRP £21

ABV 14.1%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

47

rED & sweet wines Bodegas Señorio Vina del Oja Crianza

Esteban Martin Ulula Garnacha Tinto

Rioja, Spain 2021

Cariñena, Spain 2024

The second Top 100 entry from Bodegas Señorio de Arana this year is another to benefit from this high-performing Rioja producer’s unusually high vineyard holdings.

With more than 120ha of vines around its base in Labastida in Alava in the northern part of the Rioja appellation, it’s able to fully control production from vineyard to bottle.

The blend here is 90% Tempranillo, 10% Mazuelo, and the wine is aged for 15 months in exclusively American oak barrels. “There’s always a place for well-made crianza in any independent’s range, and this is a really wellmade crianza,” the judges said. “Just the right combination of oak and fruit and smoothness of tannins. Lovely job.”

Another region setting the pace for the Spanish Garnacha renaissance is Cariñena in Aragon, north east Spain, where Esteban Martin crafts this example, which impressed the judges with its “amazing value and joyful fruit”.

Blended here with Syrah, it comes from vines aged between 20 and 65 years, planted on gravelly and stony soils at altitudes of between 600m-800m. With a short (threemonth) sojourn in oak barrels, it’s made to show off its abundant fresh fruit.

“Beautiful fresh strawberry juice … this wine is full of fruit,” the judges said. “It would be great chilled down on a hot day or at a barbecue.”

Daniel Lambert Wines

Ucopia Wines

RRP £16

RRP £13.95

ABV 13.5%

Torres Spain Salmos

ABV 14%

Clos de Lôm Casa Las Monjas

Priorat, Spain 2020 As well as the many wines, at all prices, it makes in and around its home estate in Penedès, Spain’s leading family-owned wine company has expanded impressively into regions throughout the country, including an estate in Priorat in southern Catalonia.

A blend of Cariñena and Garnacha grown on the region’s famous llicorella slate soils in the family’s La Giberga vineyard in Porrera, it’s aged for 14 months, 70% in French oak barrels (20% new) and 30% in 30hl French oak foudres.

“Inky in look and smell, this is Priorat in a nutshell,” the judges said. “The fruit is bright, juicy and red, the wine is structured and big but really drinkable – you want another glass.”

Fells

While Garnacha has been collecting plaudits in much of Spain, the red star of the Levantine south east of the country is undoubtedly Monastrell (aka Mourvèdre).

Valencian producer Clos de Lôm’s top-ofthe-range example is sourced from a 3.9ha parcel planted 570m above sea-level in 1978. According to the producer, the site is “characterised by its clay-limestone soils and strictly non-irrigated goblet vines”.

Vinification includes 10 to 12 days’ cold maceration in stainless steel, before it’s aged for 24 months in French oak.

“Dark and silky, meaty and earthy and full of dark berries,” the judges said. “Deeply impressive and original.”

Vindependents

RRP £48.01

48

Valencia, Spain 2021

ABV 14%

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

RRP £46.50

ABV 14.5%

Kuzubağ Çal Karası

Domaine de la TrottiÈres Bonnezeaux

Aegean, Turkey 2024 Given that the wines of Greece have now cemented their place in the UK market, it’s not all that much of a stretch to imagine the wines of Turkey following suit – or at least, not when they’re as good as this high-altitude red from the region of Çal in Turkey’s inner Aegean.

Aged for five months in neutral oak, and with a portion made using carbonic maceration, it’s a very modern, “natural-leaning” style of red, the judges said. “Lovely bright colour, refreshing red cherry and watermelon, white pepper spice, and blood orange – really enjoyable. Would work best served chilled.”

Loire Valley, France 2023 Located in the heart of Loire Chenin Blanc territory in the town of Thouarcé between Coteaux du Layon and the fertile lands of Anjou, Domaine de la Trottières has been producing fine wines for more than 100 years, and has been owned and run by the Lamotte family since 1985.

Made from 100% late-harvested Chenin Blanc, which is aged in tank for 11 months on the fine lees, it’s a “lovely deep colour”, the judges said. “Good viscosity ... this is rich and impressive with a honeyed nose and stewed apple on the palate. Finishes clean and fresh.”

Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Daniel Lambert Wines

RRP £19

RRP £23

ABV 14.3%

Klinker Brick CarignanE Lodi, USA 2020 Klinker Brick is based in the Mokelumne River AVA – the beating heart of the Lodi region – where winemaking goes back to the 1850s.

Gnarly old vines are a feature of the area, many of them Zinfandel, but Klinker Brick also works with old blocks of Mediterranean varieties such as Cinsault and, for this Top 100 winner, Carignan(e).

“So good to see different varieties from California rather than the usual Cabs and Pinots,” the judges said. “This is deliciously different, with flavours of chocolate, black cherry and leather. Rich and jammy with a bit of coffee and earth coming through, and lovely acidity.”

Daniel Lambert Wines RRP £23

ABV 14%

ABV 11.5%

Highly Commended Wines Some of the wines that missed out on a Top 100 position did so by the tiniest of margins.

You’ll find them among our Highly Commended winners, which we describe on the following pages.

The list contains some names that will be familiar with most independents, as well as some that could be seen as more left-field. Either way, these are wines that make an important contribution to the Top 100 project and deserve further investigation.

50

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

ARGENTINA White Mendel Wines Semillon, Mendoza 2023 (£19.99, Cachet Wine): Waxy lemon; good iteration of the grape. Good flavour and finish.

El Enemigo Chardonnay, Mendoza 2023 (£25.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Zesty, expressive nose; ripe and full of flavour – lots of plush, toasty oak.

Mauricio Lorca Lo% Criolla Blanca, Mendoza 2025 (£12.25, Ucopia Wines): Greengage, tropical fruits, honeydew melon. Impressive for price point.

Matías Riccitelli The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree Torrontés, Mendoza 2024 (£17.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fennel and rose petals on the nose; kumquat on the palate – very aromatic and exotic.

El Enemigo Syrah/Viognier, Mendoza 2022 (£25.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep aromas of cooked, jammy black fruits; fennel stems. Big, bold and structured.

El Enemigo Malbec, Uco Valley 2022 (£25.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Juicy fruit, black cherry and chocolate, sweet oak and a refreshing, subtle bitterness.

Zorzal Malbec Gran Terroir, Uco Valley 2024 (£21.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Blueberry, blackberry, balsamic nose; pickled fruit and prunes. Lots going on.

Zuccardi Regiones Malbec, Uco Valley 2023 (£21.29, Hatch Mansfield): Cranberry fruit – earthy and spicy with lots of fresh peppery spice on the palate.

Orange

Benegas Lynch Meritage, Mendoza 2019 (£50.50, Ucopia Wines): Big Bordeaux blend. Savoury meatycheesy vibe; bramble and hedgerow and oak.

Cadus Naranjo, Uco Valley 2024 (£20.99, Boutinot): Dark peach in colour; funky nose; bitter almond and fuzzy peach flavours. Intriguing.

Atamisque Catalpa Malbec, Tupungato 2023 (£22.50, Ucopia Wines): Fresh and juicy with lots of berry fruit and cream on the palate.

Red

La Cayetana Pinot Noir, Los Chacayes 2023 (£24.95, Ucopia Wines): Light expressive bubble gum and wild strawberries; clean, light, easy-drinking.

Bodega Urqo Palo Santo Cabernet Franc, Uco Valley 2024 (£15.99, Boutinot): Wild strawberries – very interesting and a very good price point.

Bodega Urqo Malbec Organico, Uco Valley 2024 (£17.49, Boutinot): Lovely depth and freshness; tangy, smooth, spicy. Structured without being chewy.

Bodega Sottano Reserva de Familia Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza 2024 (£24, Vindependents): Inviting nose: classic Cab. Crowd-pleaser with a touch of mint/menthol.

Molinos Nieto Senetiner Malbec, Mendoza 2025 (£12.99, Boutinot): Juicy red and black fruits; coffee bitterness; structured but soft tannins.

Bodega Sottano Pilatos Malbec, Mendoza 2023 (£49.50, Vindependents): Very concentrated rich fruit; savoury with an almond oxidative note; judicious oak; smooth.

Bodega Urqo Los Durmientes Malbec, Uco Valley 2024 (£13.49, Boutinot): Nice concentration and fruit, delicate herbal note, tangy, peppery finish.

Bodega Sottano Junior Blend, Mendoza 2025 (£20.50, Vindependents): Crunchy tannins and chocolatey flavours, very pleasant winemaking.

Mendel Wines Luján de Cuyo Malbec, Mendoza 2022 (£23.50, Cachet Wine): Savoury and full flavoured; briney with black olives – would be good with food.

Bodega Sottano Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza 2024 (£14.50, Vindependents): Blackcurrant, earth and bull’s blood. Hidden fruit, good acidity, lots of iron.

Matías Riccitelli The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From The Tree Malbec, Mendoza 2023 (£25.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Slight pencil-shaving nose; aromatic, candied fruit, lovely acidity.

Bodega Sottano Junior Malbec, Mendoza 2025 (£12.50, Vindependents): Juicy; Christmas spices and blood orange; candied red fruits. Good for the price.

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Highly commended wines AUSTRALIA White Tournon Mathilda Viognier/Marsanne, Victoria 2024 (£18.50, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Good varietal nose: clean stone fruit. Good intensity – vibrant, layered.

Peter Lehmann Wigan Riesling, Eden Valley 2018 (£25.99, Boutinot): Hugely characterful nose. On the palate, it’s tropical, slightly oily, with some smoky minerality.

Soumah Savarro Savagnin, Yarra Valley 2024 (£19.99, Boutinot): Intriguing, hard-to-define nose: good depth and well-balanced acidity. Apple fruit.

Berton Vineyards Pitchfork Chardonnay, Barossa Valley 2025 (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Very tropical and juicy fruit; simple but bright and refreshing; value.

Torbreck The Steading Blanc, Barossa Valley 2022 (£42, Fells): Very well made; stone fruit, lovely restraint and balance. High price but high quality.

Pewsey Vale Vineyard Estate Riesling, Eden Valley 2024 (£19, Fells): Great intensity on the nose with good Riesling character; mineral-laden palate.

Tyrrell’s Pokolbin Hills Single Vineyard Semillon, Hunter Valley 2019 (£30, Fells): Lovely texture with richness balanced by citrus; slightly smoky but fruit still evident.

Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley Chardonnay, Hunter Valley 2024 (£19, Fells): Leesy but fruity, with a beeswax note; very crisp but has a nice richness, too.

Jim Barry Wines Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley 2024 (£15.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Clearly Riesling! This would be a very good introduction to the grape.

Tahbilk Marsanne, Nagambie Lakes 2023 (£16.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Good stone fruit character; simple but very drinkable; good fresh finish.

Jim Barry Wines Assyrtiko, Clare Valley 2022 (£25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Very pale; fresh and mineral; slightly herbal with an intensity of lemon sherbet.

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Jim Barry Wines Loosen Barry Slate Hill Riesling, Clare Valley 2023 (£25.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Subtle nose with classic lime; deliciously zesty on the palate.

Cherubino Pedestal Chardonnay, Margaret River 2024 (£19.33, Hatch Mansfield): Complex lemony fruit; toast. Leesy rather than oaky; very good balance.

Pierro Vineyards Fire Gully Chardonnay, Margaret River 2025 (£23.95, Jeroboams): Very bready and toasty, savoury Chardonnay; substantial but balanced and bright.

Highgate Hunter Valley Chardonnay, Hunter Valley 2023 (£15.50, Vindependents): Very bright and tropical primary fruit. Refreshing and rather amiable.

Orange Smallfry Wines Tangerine Dream, Barossa Valley 2023 (£28, Substrata Wines): Golden, slightly cloudy.

Stewed fruit, apple peel. Slight tannic grip. Great with a cheeseboard.

Red Langmeil Blacksmith Cabernet Sauvignon, Barossa 2021 (£26.50, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Dark, brooding purple; full creamy blueberry and blackberry palate.

Unico Zelo Truffle Hound, Clare Valley 2022 (£23.50, Berkmann Wine Cellars): An Australian Barbera that’s very intense with lots of sweet fruit; a real point of difference.

Berton Vineyards Pitchfork Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2024 (£10.49, Cachet Wine): Sweet fruit on entry, but fresh and not syrupy – really good value.

Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Barossa Bush Vine Grenache, Barossa 2023 (£16.99, Fells): Superb depth and juicy fruit; lots of flavour and succulence. Well made.

Dalrymple Vineyards Tasmania Pinot Noir, Tasmania 2023 (£38, Fells): Sophisticated, lovely depth and texture and a great Pinot nose – couldn’t be anything else.

Xanadu Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River 2022 (£25.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep classic Margaret River Cabernet: intense, structured, but lovely balance.

Mount Langi Ghiran Cliff Edge Shiraz, Grampians 2023 (£23.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Meaty, savoury and herbal notes on the nose; sweet fruit, nice mouthful.

Weingut Rabl Langenlois Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal 2024 (£19.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fresh with lots of fruit and gentle acidity; graceful, easygoing.

Jim Barry Wines Shiraz, Clare Valley 2022 (£16.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Eucalyptus/menthol on the nose really comes through; very interesting and drinkable.

Rosé

Berton Vineyard Shiraz Reserve, Barossa 2021 (£19.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Cherry tones; Big, bold, high-alcohol Shiraz with lots going on for the money.

Paringa Estate The Paringa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula 2022 (£87, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Beautiful ripe Pinot style; delicious fleshy cherry and raspberry; expensive, but high quality.

Yering Station Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley 2023 (£25.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Attractively summery red fruit; juicy and accessible; proper Pinot texture/ tannins.

Berton Vineyard Winemakers Reserve Durif, Langhorne Creek 2022 (£14.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Intense, dark fruit – a wine full of dusky tannic power.

Parker Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawara 2021 (£17.50, Jeroboams): Good balancing coolness in this fresher style; mint and eucalyptus and blackcurrant.

De Bortoli Wines Deen Durif, Riverina 2021 (£13, North South Wines): Rich and deep and full of flavour: power with fruit.

Funkstille Zweigelt Rosé, Niederösterreich 2025 (£13.99, Alliance Wine): Pretty red-fruity nose; juicy and really drinkable – the price is great for Austria.

Red Salzl Seewinkelhof Blaufrankisch, Burgenland 2023 (£15, North South Wines): Red fruits, spice, soft strawberries and cream; very low tannins. One to chill for the terrace.

BULGARIA Orange Rossidi Orange, Thracian Lowlands 2022 (£24, Ivo Varbanov Wine Selection): Dark copper. Highly aromatic. Spicy, warming, mango hug! Show me the pad thai.

Red Ivo Varbanov Syrah Carmen, Thracian Lowlands 2017 (£30, Ivo Varbanov Wine Selection): Rich, spicy nose, very dark. Still youthful with powerful tannins.

Ivo Varbanov Merlot & Syrah Cavaradossi, Thracian Lowlands 2020 (£15, Ivo Varbanov Wine Selection): Rich, warming and robust; lots of plummy rich fruit.

Brothers at War The Old Man Syrah, Eden Valley 2023 (£18, The Antipodean Sommelier): Darker fruit and spice. Fresh and lifted rather than syrupy and cloying.

Zagreus Winery Vinica Mavrud, Thracian Valley 2020 (£27, The Jolly Merchants): Really nice polished red fruit followed by a large dollop of tannin. Needs time to soften.

AUSTRIA

CANADA

White

Red

Pfaffl Dot Austrian Peach Riesling, Niederösterreich 2025 (£16.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Nice appealing nose and texture; stone fruit rather than citrus; good length.

LightFoot & Wolfville Fauna, Nova Scotia 2024 (£21, Daniel Lambert Wines): Crunchy purple fruit.

Blueberries, bilberries, juicy and easy: Canada does Beaujolais.

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Highly commended wines CHILE Sparkling Emiliana Amaluna Organic Sparkling, Casablanca Valley NV (£16.99, Boutinot): Clean bright nose and salty-maritime palate – refreshingly different.

Errazuriz Villa by Errazuriz, Aconcagua Valley 2022 (£29.96, Hatch Mansfield): Classic blackcurrant-andmenthol Chilean Cabernet character: like a Polo dipped in Ribena!

White

Viña Las Niñas de Apalta Gran Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon Organic, Apalta 2023 (£20, Les Grands Chais de France): Chilean-goes-Rioja vibes, with lots of soft vanilla oak and red fruit. Satisfying.

Morandé Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva Selección de Viñedos, Casablanca Valley 2025 (£16, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Green pepper and asparagus; cool, fresh, classic Chilean Sauvignon Blanc.

Montes Alpha Colchagua Carmenère, Colchagua Valley 2022 (£18.99, Liberty Wines): Herbaceous, rosemary and violets, deep blackcurrant and blackberry, pepper and spice. Complex.

Miguel Torres Chile Cordillera Chardonnay, Curicó Valley 2023 (£16.95, Fells): Rounded and fruity.

Lemons and apples with grapefruit pith and subtle oak spice.

Emiliana Novas Gran Reserva Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley 2024 (£14.49, Boutinot): Fun, fruit-forward, well-balanced Chardonnay with some tropical fruit notes. Well put together.

Undurraga Terroir Hunter Chardonnay, Limarí Valley 2023 (£21, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Struckmatch, lighter style. Elegance over power and oak.

Bright and cool.

ENGLAND Sparkling All Angels Classic Cuvée, Berkshire 2019 (£42, Enborne Vineyards): Fresh orchard fruit and lots of salinity on a crisp, focused palate.

Hattingley Valley Blanc de Blancs, Hampshire 2019 (£51, Enotria): Fresh and very fruity Chard – very nicely done and certainly drinkable, if just a touch pricey.

Caliterra Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Aconcagua Valley 2024 (£13.68, Hatch Mansfield): Chile’s answer to Pouilly-Fumé: smoky nose, gunpowder. Bright finish.

Hattingley Valley Vintage Cuvée, Hampshire 2019 (£35, Vindependents): Lovely rich mouth feel. Pears, plums, grapes; lovely long finish. Good value for a vintage wine.

Arboleda Sauvignon Blanc, Aconcagua Valley 2024 (£17.78, Hatch Mansfield): South American Sancerre, lots of classic citrus flavour and racy freshness.

Borrowed Origins Field Blend Fiasco, Norfolk 2009 (£29.99, Fredricks): Intriguingly different and bright with lots of complex fruit; memorable.

Rosé

Wiston Estate Rosé Vintage, Sussex 2018 (£57, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Baked pastry notes and the fruit is just lovely. Very classy and precise.

Miguel Torres Chile Andica Organic Rosé, Curicó Valley 2025 (£12.99, Fells): Well made, clean, fresh, balanced: would definitely stock at this price.

Red Matetic EQ Syrah Cool Climate, San Antonio 2019 (£33, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Deep, full-bodied, silky and intense; black olives, violets, blackberries – proper Syrah.

Caliterra Merlot Reserva, Colchagua Valley 2024 (£13.90, Hatch Mansfield): Soft fruit and fresh in style: nicely judged. Very good value.

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Wiston Estate Brut, Sussex NV (£37, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A solid English sparkler, with plenty to like: fruit, mouthfilling richness.

MDCV UK Silver Reign, Kent NV (£18, MDCV): Confectionery: fruity sweets on the nose. Loads of tropical fruit. Fun and sweet without sugar.

MDCV UK Silver Reign Rosé, Kent NV (£17, MDCV UK): Loads of bright red fruit and sweetness – very enjoyable, accessible value pink fizz.

MDCV UK London Clay Brut NV, Essex NV (£20.99, MDCV UK): Big weighty initial palate – full of dark red fruit. Easy-drinking.

White 1276 Wines Chardonnay, Herefordshire 2024 (£23.99, 1276 Wines): Hazelnuts, restrained oak, cream cake.

Starts tart, finishes lavishly.

New Hall Wine Estate Bacchus Single Estate, Essex 2023 (£19.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Tart, tangy, zesty; bright aromatics. Refreshing, high acidity, good persistence.

NICOLAS FEUILLATTE CELLARMASTER GUILLAUME ROFFIAEN

FRANCE Sparkling Vignoble Alain Robert Alchimiste Pétillant Naturel, Loire NV (£21.99, Cachet Wine): Baked apple; biscuity notes, nice freshness, delicate mousse; appealing, textured finish.

Champagne Gardet Chigny-les-Roses Gardet Brut Tradition Champagne NV (£32.99, Cachet Wine): Delightful aroma: well-developed, biscuity-bready nose; very enticing palate.

Bruno Andreu De-alcoholised Sparkling Chardonnay NV (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Fun tropical notes and a touch floral, too. Quite convincing fizz style.

Union Champagne Brut 1er Cru Tradition, Champagne NV (£45, Daniel Lambert Wines): Savoury and fruity combine beautifully; really vibrant and fresh acidity.

Oedoria Cremant de Bourgogne Diamant, Crémant de Bourgogne NV (£21.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Fresh, vibrant and frothy. White fruit; clean, open, gentle.

Champagne Duval-Leroy Fleur de Champagne 1er Cru Brut Champagne NV (£64, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Pure light green apples and fresh saline minerality. Layers of toast and apple. High class.

Champagne Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve, Champagne NV (£51.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Riper dark-fruited style of blanc de noirs; rounded and rich mousse.

Champagne Palmer Blanc de Blancs, Champagne 2018 (£75.56, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lovely ripe fruit: apple and yellow plum. Rich creamy palate, toasty finish.

Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé, Champagne NV (£49.43, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A total crowd-pleaser! So moreish; keep coming back for another glass.

Champagne Taittinger Les Folies de la Marquetterie, Champagne NV (£70, Hatch Mansfield): Richness and softness with a delicious creamy quality. Suave.

Champagne Henriot Blanc Souverain, Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV (£50, Fells): Lean and lovely, with soft green fruit. Very smart but really accessible style.

Champagne Philipponnat Reserve Perpetuelle Brut, Champagne NV (£49.95, Jeroboams): Petit Filou!

Depth, complexity and lovely balance. Candied fruit, savoury finish.

Simonnet-Febvre Crémant de Bourgogne, Crémant de Bourgogne NV (£20, Fells): Charming subtle style, understated, with greengage and lots of bright clean acidity.

Champagne Laurent-Perrier Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature, Champagne NV (£92, Laurent-Perrier UK): Fresh Golden Delicious apples and pears; lovely light toast and biscuit.

Champagne Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé, Champagne NV (£82, Laurent-Perrier UK): Classic, stylish, benchmark rosé Champagne that ticks all the pink boxes.

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Highly commended wines FRANCE Sparkling continued Moillard-Grivot Blanc de Noirs Brut, Crémant de Bourgogne NV (£22, Les Grands Chais de France): Impactful opening with red fruits; a dry delicate finish.

Devaux Coeur de Nature Organic, Champagne NV (£55.99, Liberty Wines): Summer pudding fruit in a round rich palate; good weight balanced with energy.

Devaux Coeur des Bar Blanc de Noirs, Champagne NV (£55.99, Liberty Wines): Delicious richness of flavour on a well-rounded palate with vigorous mousse.

Devaux Cuvée D, Champagne NV (£59.99, Liberty Wines): It’s all about the elegance here: refined and well-made, tailored Champagne.

Champagne Mandois Blanc de Blancs Brut, Champagne 2020 (£50, North South Wines): Very fresh and youthful; light Cox’s apples on the racy crisp palate.

Laurent Breton Champagne Germar Breton Blanc de Noirs, Champagne NV (£37.50, Vindependents): Summer fruits in a soft creamy style; lovely body and texture.

Laurent Breton Champagne Germar Breton Blanc de Blancs, Champagne NV (£41.50, Vindependents): Baked apple and some honeysuckle on the nose; rich, round with good lees character.

Champagne Delavenne Grand Cru Original 60/40, Champagne NV (£42.50, Vindependents): Restrained and graceful, subtle but with lots of energy and life.

White Pascal & Nicolas Reverdy Terre de Maimbray Sancerre Blanc, Sancerre 2024 (£28.50, Alliance Wine): Classy, classic Sancerre, young and dynamic; lime, asparagus, green apple.

Ferraton St-Joseph La Source Blanc, St Joseph 2023 (£32, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Delicate, floral aroma; refined palate; sophisticated and stimulating.

Domaine Sylvain Bailly Quincy Beaucharme, Loire 2024 (£16.49, Cachet Wine): Apple, pear, white peach.

Bruised apple, nice structure, leesy richness.

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Domaine Sylvain Bailly Sancerre Prestige, Loire 2023 (£25.49, Cachet Wine): Rich, waxy nose; banana and a touch of passion fruit – an impressive, rounded wine.

Château Grand Moulin Bourboulenc Cocobiroux, Languedoc 2025 (£12.99, Cachet Wine): Delicate aromatics, peachy with ripe citrus and fresh acidity.

Nicely done.

Marilyn Lasserre Coquille de Mer Vermentino, Languedoc 2025 (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Zippy and fresh with citrus notes. Great value fridge-door special.

Bruno Andreu De-alcoholised Chardonnay, Languedoc NV (£8.99, Cachet Wine): Works surprisingly well!

Gentle peachy style. Easygoing.

Philippe Lebrun Sauvignon Peewit Gris, Côtes de Gascogne 2024 (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Great pepper, grapefruit, citrus, tropical fruit; nice acidity and balance.

Producteurs Plaimont Le Faîte Blanc, Saint Mont 2020 (£22.99, Cachet Wine): Great balance of fruit and grapefruit acidity; rich golden apple and tropical fruit.

Domaine de la Trottières Claire de Lune, Anjou 2025 (£10, Daniel Lambert Wines): Youthful lemon, touch of fennel, flint and leafy finish. Lovely balance.

Domaine Renaudat Quincy, Quincy 2025 (£24.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Fresh, delicate, graceful: newly-cut grass and green banana. Delightful.

Dauvergne Ranvier Le Voisin Dessus, Ardèche 2024 (£16, Daniel Lambert Wines): Bright, peachy, floral, aromatic. Persistent and fruity but crisp.

Producteurs Plaimont Piou de Yura, Jurançon 2023 (£15.99, Cachet Wine): Tropical nose; fruit-driven palate all kept fresh with great acidity. Yum. Producteurs Plaimont Les Vignes Retrouvés, Saint Mont 2023 (£14.50, Cachet Wine): Lime cake citrus vibes – very clean and racy. A wake-you-up wine.

Calmel & Joseph Les Crus – L’Or Bohème, Haute Vallée d’Orb 2024 (£12.99, Daniel Lambert): Lovely zingy fruit – really tingling. Freshness. Great point of difference.

Calmel & Joseph Les Crus – L’Astre Divin, Clairette du Languedoc 2024 (£15.99, Daniel Lambert Wines): Lightly herbal refined aromas, white peach – nice distinctive style.

Château de l’Ou Infiniment de l’Ou Chardonnay, Côtes Catalanes 2021 (£34, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Appealing touch of honey; good texture and structure, finishing fresh. Complex.

Domaine de la Creuze Noire St-Véran Creuze Noire, St-Véran 2023 (£26.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Classy white Burgundy – really well-made and refined at a great price.

Château de Campuget Viognier 1753, Gard 2024 (£17.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A super-fresh example of Viognier; lightly peachy, extremely drinkable.

Domaine de la Gaultière Jasnières, Jasnières 2024 (£22, Daniel Lambert Wines): Reductive nose with nettle and Granny Smith apple; complex and enjoyable.

Dopff au Moulin Gewurztraminer Terres Epicées, Alsace 2023 (£23.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classic Gewurz aromatics – delightful rose petals.

Nice weight of palate. Quality.

Domaine Chauveau Pouilly-Fumé, Pouilly-Fumé 2025 (£22.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Apricot, melon – and very juicy peach! Ripe style, long finish.

Château de l’Ou l’Orange de l’Ou Muscat Blanc, Côtes Catalanes, Roussillon 2022 (£35.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Really interesting and distinctive; dried fruit and floral notes.

Domaine Guillaman Colombard Sauvignon, Côtes de Gascogne 2025 (£11, Daniel Lambert Wines): Tropical fruit, melon, mango and lychee. Very fruit-forward.

Value.

Domaines Paul Mas L’Artisan Le Chardonnay, Pays d’Oc 2025 (£10.95, Domaines Paul Mas): White and green fruits and florals. Great freshness and price point.

Domaines Paul Mas Château Martinolles Limoux Blanc Vieilles Vignes, Limoux 2025 (£15.98, Domaines Paul Mas): Proper complexity and interest. Clearly very well made.

Domaines Paul Mas Jean-Claude Mas Classic Viognier Le Pioch, Pays d’Oc 2025 (£8.99, Domaines Paul Mas): Really good peachy fruit and freshness for the money.

Bravo!

Domaines Paul Mas Jean-Claude Mas Réserve Chardonnay Les Grès, Pays d’Oc 2025 (£9.99, Domaines Paul Mas): Really good everyday drinking wine – and a good wholesale option, too.

Joseph Burrier Mâcon-Villages Mémoire du Terroir, Mâcon-Villages 2024 (£17.99, Fells): Pretty nose and elegant palate; great for the price.

Chéreau Carré Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2024 (£13.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Citrus fruit and wet stone – light and racy, saline finish.

Louis Jadot Domaine Ferret Pouilly-Fuissé, PouillyFuissé 2023 (£49.51, Hatch Mansfield): Very classy white Burgundy, with lots going on and excellent balance.

Château du Cléray Cru Vallet Muscadet Sèvre et Maine, Muscadet Sèvre et Maine 2023 (£21, Les Grands Chais de France): Textured easy drinking with bruised apple and citrus combining nicely.

Château Belles Eaux Les Coteaux Grenache Blanc, Languedoc 2024 (£17, Les Grands Chais de France): Clean green fruit – doesn’t scream Grenache Blanc but a very nice wine.

Domaine Marguerite Carillon Santenay, Santenay 2023 (£38, Les Grands Chais de France): Real elegance and style on the nose; great richness on the palate.

Domaine Fernand Engel Riesling Grand Cru Praelatenberg, Alsace 2022 (£25, Marta Vine): Honey notes and hint of petrol. Stone fruit, minerals, acidity, great integration. Lovely.

Maison Brotte Les Hauts de Barville Blanc, Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2024 (£34, North South Wines): Smooth, rich, complex but fresh – citrus and minerals with deep creamy flavours.

Boris Kovac Piquepoul de Pinet Le Minéral, Picpoul de Pinet 2025 (£18.50, Ucopia Wines): Restrained nose, but super-zippy and fresh just as you’d want, with extra citrus lift.

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Highly commended wines FRANCE White continued Domaine Fournillon Chablis, Chablis 2022 (£22.50, Vindependents): Textbook Chablis: clean, fresh and well balanced, zippy and refreshing.

Domaine Belleville Rully La Crée, Rully 2023 (£37, Vindependents): Very fresh style with lovely balance.

Just what you’d want from a white Burgundy at this price.

Domaine Alexandre Chablis, Chablis 2024 (£23.50, Vindependents): Classic nose and good richness – a really good example of village Chablis.

Lionel Osmin & Cie La Baie Orientale, Vin de France 2025 (£17.50, Vindependents): Floral, grapey and refreshing; lightly tropical palate and fresh finish.

Summer!

Domaine Bott-Geyl Gewurztraminer Les Éléments, Alsace 2021 (£26.50, Vindependents): Rich, round, floral lychee and rose; lovely fruit balances the sweetness.

Domaine Belleville Monthélie La Combe Danay, Monthélie 2023 (£50, Vindependents): Classy oak on the nose; depth and complexity on the palate – impressive.

Orange Domaines Paul Mas Paul Mas Rosorange Organic, Vin de France 2025 (£13.95, Domaines Paul Mas): Fresh fruit and cream soda vibes: needs to be cold, but lots of fun.

Frédéric Garrabou When Life Gives You Oranges, Languedoc 2024 (£11.99, Cachet Wine): Voluptuously off-dry. Orange pith; white blossom, excellent value for money.

Rosé La Bastide Blanche Bandol Rosé, Bandol 2024 (£29.99, Alliance Wine): Ripe summer fruits; great balance between freshness and slightly sweet richness.

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Marilyn Lasserre Coquille de Fleur Cinsault Rosé, Languedoc 2025 (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Candy floss and strawberry; very gluggable rosé, juicy and dry.

Domaine Saint André Folie d’Inès Rosé, Languedoc 2025 (£11.99, Cachet Wine): Smart budget buy: candied, easy-drinking, party rosé.

Dauvergne Ranvier Tavel, Tavel NV (£20.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Layers of ripe red fruit; punchy and with an appealingly fruit-driven finish.

Château Paquette Classique, Côtes de Provence 2025 (£18.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Great balance of freshness and fruit concentration; a beautifully made rosé.

Domaine de la Creuze Noire Clarté de l’Été Rosé, Beaujolais 2024 (£18, Daniel Lambert Wines): Doing its own thing and doing it well: fully fruity summer session rosé.

Château Montaud Provence Rosé, Côtes de Provence 2025 (£16.95, Jeroboams): Ripe and slightly candied fruit; very soft of texture; juicy finish.

Les Grands Chais de France Sans Prétention Luberon Rosé, Luberon 2025 (£14.50, Les Grands Chais de France): Soft fruit throughout with a textured finish; crunchy cranberry.

Les Quatre Tours Domaine de la Rigouline AOP Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence 2025 (£20.50, Marcato Direct): Lovely shimmering fruit concentration and nice soft juicy finish.

Les Quatre Tours Vilandria AOP Coteaux d’Aix-enProvence, Coteaux d’Aix en Provence 2025 (£16.50, Marcato Direct): Summer fruits: strawberries and raspberries in joyful easy-drinking style.

MDCV Fr La Grande Cuvée Rosé Wine, Côtes de Provence 2024 (£29, MDCV UK): Summer fruits enlivened by gentle citrus. Delightful texture and balance.

Red Chanzy Maranges 1er Cru La Fussière, Burgundy 2023 (£44.39, Alliance Wine): Serious, slightly spicy nose; dark fruits: rich, resonant, savoury – full of character.

Château Ponzac Maintenant ou Jamais, Cahors 2024 (£21.49, Alliance Wine): Very appealing dark fruit nose; fruit forward, approachable: would impress new world Cab drinkers.

Château La Rose Perrière Rouge, Lussac Saint Emilion 2018 (£29.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Slight hint of amaro – intriguing. Red fruit and tonic, grip and spice.

Domaine de Colette Régnié, Régnié 2024 (£21.35, Alliance Wine): Soft sweet fruits, dry, food-welcoming palate – a balance of charm and seriousness.

Dauvergne Ranvier Costières de Nimes, Costières de Nîmes 2024 (£15, Daniel Lambert Wines): Lots of red apple, cherry, blackcurrant sweet spice, pastry, excellent value.

Terres Fidèles Fidèle Corral d’En Pi, Collioure 2022 (£29.74, Alliance Wine): Velvety and plush. Good tannin structure. Big, rich, mouthfilling fun.

Domaines Paul Mas L’Artisan Le Pinot Noir, Pays d’OC 2025 (£10.95, Domaines Paul Mas): A very gluggable and well-priced Pinot. Bright and fruity – lots to like.

Guillaume Gonnet Bel Ami, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023 (£42.50, Alliance Wine): Cherry, plum and blackcurrant: well balanced and a good finish with a real sense of place.

Domaines Paul Mas Château Paul Mas Clos des Mûres, Languedoc 2024 (£14.95, Domaines Paul Mas): Tart, crunchy cranberry. Cherry compote, spicy finish. Full of character.

Domaine Boutinot Rhône Cairanne Les Six, Cairanne 2023 (£18.99, Boutinot): This is great value for money: balanced richness – good wine, good fruit.

Domaines Paul Mas Château Crès Ricards Oenothera, Terrasses du Larzac 2024 (£21, Domaines Paul Mas): Smooth, dark fruit and peppery spice – sweetly attractive.

Domaine Boutinot Rhône Les Coteaux, Côtes du Rhône Villages 2023 (£13.99, Boutinot): Fruit-filled nose; appealingly light and grippy; savoury finish.

Domaine Pardon et Fils Morgon La Croix Gaillard, Beaujolais 2024 (£15.99, Cachet Wine): Dark savoury fruits; full-bodied and absolutely banging for the money.

Marilyn Lasserre Pinot Noir Les Argelières, Languedoc 2024 (£12.49, Cachet Wine): Lovely, chug-chug! Bright red fruit, super soft, everything in balance. Barbecue wine all-dayer!

Producteurs Plaimont Le Faîte Rouge, Saint Mont 2020 (£24.99, Cachet Wine): Super punchy with firmtextured tannins; intense and ready for duck confit.

Domaine Pierre Cros Le Barthas, Minervois 2024 (£21.99, Cachet Wine): Meaty and deeply savoury; a southern French blend in winter-warming action.

Château Famaey Cuvée X, Cahors 2022 (£36, Daniel Lambert Wines): Dark, serious, and Bordeaux-esque; still young with some grip. Top quality.

Domaine de la Creuze Noire Juliénas, Beaujolais 2023 (£21.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Warm spice, soft red fruits on the nose; dry and spicy, punchy and resonant palate.

Domaines Paul Mas Arrogant Frog Cabernet Merlot Organic, Pays d’Oc 2024 (£13.50, Domaines Paul Mas): Cassis nose and a sprinkle of spice. Soft. Great value.

Domaine de Piéblanc Côtes du Rhône Bourdon, Côtes du Rhône 2024 (£17.50, Davy’s Wine Merchants): Forest floor and blackcurrant/plum, lots of fruit and soft tannins. Smoky finish.

Joseph Burrier Beaujolais-Villages La Verchère, Beaujolais Villages 2023 (£18.99, Fells): Damson and prune; well balanced and savoury; good depth and tannins.

Maison Klipfel Barrel Aged Pinot Noir, Alsace 2023 (£20, Les Grands Chais de France): Light, spicy, floral, earthy. Very good value and easy drinking.

Domaine Lavigne Saumur-Champigny Vieilles Vignes, Saumur-Champigny 2023 (£17.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Green leafy beginnings turn savoury and meaty. Enjoyable tannins.

Olivier Coste Mourvèdre Illégal, Pays d’Oc 2024 (£15.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Inviting black olives and dark fruit on the nose and palate. Savoury and deep.

Château de Saint Cosme Côtes du Rhône Les Deux Albion, Côtes du Rhône 2023 (£24.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Very serious and savoury C-du-R! Spicy and lots of tannins – will definitely keep.

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Highly commended wines FRANCE Red continued Domaine de la Solitude, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2023 (£43.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Deep and robust but juicy – lots of herb and spice and savoury tannin.

Dom Brial Carignan Côtes Catalanes Dom Ici Rouge, Côtes Catalanes 2024 (£12.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Nobody would complain if you gave them this at a wedding: juicy, fruity good value.

Château de Montfrin, Côtes du Rhône 2024 (£16.95, Jeroboams): Light, fruity candied strawberry and cherry flavours. Clean, refreshing, good for the price.

Château Cantelys, Péssac Léognan 2022 (£39, Les Grands Chais de France): Delicious complexity: tannins are polished, chocolate tones and herbs.

Drink now or in 10 years.

Domaine Maurice Écard Savigny Les Beaune Premier Cru Les Narbantons, Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru 2021 (£44, Les Grands Chais de France): Very nice drink: candied, rounded fruit, resonant palate, great length and balance.

Château des Jaume La Pierre Taillée, Côtes de Roussillon Villages Tautavel 2022 (£21, Les Grands Chais de France): A really good all-rounder: quaffable, fruity but deep.

Domaine du Joncas Le Canyon Organic, Terrasses du Larzac 2023 (£22, Les Grands Chais de France): Herbal garrigue and cooked fruit: rolling in meadows of herbs and blackcurrant.

Domaine La Lôyane Cuvée Marie Lirac Rouge, Lirac 2023 (£33, Vindependents): Red fruits, cranberry and blueberry on the palate; leather savouriness on the finish. Food wine.

GEORGIA White Vachnadziani Krakhuna, Imereti 2024 (£15.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lightly tropical and lemony – crisp and fresh and youthfully pleasant.

Bedoba White, Kakheti 2024 (£19.99, Liberty Wines): Soft but fresh, creamy, a little bit nutty; stone fruit and brioche, honey; very pleasant.

Shilda Kirke Goddess Blend, Kakheti 2022 (£15.50, Moreno Wines): A touch oxidative: nutty, rounded, but still fresh. Interesting and full of character.

Red Vachnadziani Saperavi, Kakheti 2024 (£13.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Juicy and herbal with candied soft cherry and plum. Good value.

Orange Shilda Rustaveli Saperavi Qvevri, Kakheti 2022 (£23, Moreno Wines): Appealingly rustic – rich and juicy, crunchy and tannic, robust and hearty.

GERMANY

Domaine Saint Siffrein Châteauneuf du Pape AOP Rouge, Châteauneuf-du-Pape 2022 (£46.99, Marcato Direct): Plum fruit and a savoury edge – hints of mushroom. Lots of acidity and a balsamic note. Good quality.

White

Château Picoron Tattarrattat, Vin de France 2024 (£20, Moreno Wines): Hints of mushroom; lots of acidity, balanced tannins: savoury and balsamic finish.

Braun Pfalz Riesling Trocken Individuell, Pfalz 2024 (£18.99, Marcato Direct): Crisp acidity and lemon sherbet tempers the ripe apple fruit. Appealing.

Jean Bouchard Fixin Rouge, Fixin 2023 (£41, North South Wines): Still youthful with crunchy tannins: needs time but everything there for a glorious future.

Weingut Greiner Chardonnay Gutswein, Baden 2023 (£28.25, Richmond Wine Agencies): Deliciously ripe orchard fruit and nice touches of oak. German Chardonnay? Why not?

Vignobles Andre Lurton Château de Barbe Blanche Rouge, Lussac Saint Emilion 2022 (£25.50, North South Wines): Full-bodied and intense; grippy tannins, toast and roasted coffee beans.

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Oliver Zeter Grauburgunder, Pfalz 2024 (£17.50, Delibo Wine Agencies): Restrained nose; lovely open palate with zing and hints of apricot and red apple.

Hanewald-Schwerdt Monkey Morio, Pfalz 2024 (£17, Vindependents): Ripe grapey-floral classic Muscat nose – hugely refreshing posh grape juice.

Red Fritz Wasser Spätburgunder Reserve, Baden 2024 (£24.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Very intense red fruits – strawberries; builds on the palate, tartly refreshing.

Gerd Stepp Mineralstein Cabernet Franc, Pfalz 2023 (£24.50, Ucopia Wines): Herbaceous nose and herby palate – nice fit between Loire and Argentine styles.

Hanewald-Schwerdt Kalkriff Spätburgunder Trocken, Pfalz 2021 (£19.50, Vindependents): Lovely perfume; fruit, tannin and acidity all balanced and nicely in check.

GREECE White Gavalas Winery Santorini Natural Ferment, Santorini 2024 (£56.50, Alliance Wine): Creamy, very complex pineapple, tropical fruits. Rounded, refreshing, clean, precise.

Boutari Semeli Moschofilero, Mantinia 2024 (£18.99, Boutinot): A lovely wine! Fresh, perfumed, mineral, lively, and easy to drink.

Akrathos Assyrtiko, Halkidiki 2022 (£31, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Intense flavours; bright, refreshing, green fruit pastilles on the long finish.

Ktima Gerovassiliou Malagousia, Epanomi 2025 (£26, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Full-bodied and superflavoursome; pithy, slightly honeyed, exotic. , Monemvasia Winery Tsimbidi Dry White, Laconia 2024 (£21.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Delicious, fresh, mineral, well-balanced, enticing – lingers beautifully.

Navitas Winery Assyrtiko Terre de Zeus, Pieria 2023 (£25.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Cream and brioche on the nose; balanced palate with delicious pithy grapefruit.

Idaia Winery Vidiano Ocean, Crete 2024 (£21, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Melony white fruits and subtle floral notes; juicy fleshy palate.

Manolesakis Estate Malagousia/Assyrtiko Exis, Macedonia 2024 (£16, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Intriguing nose of blossom honey; lovely freshness.

Diamantakis Diamantopetra White, Heraklion 2025 (£23.50, Vindependents): Generous nose: fruity and fresh; medium-bodied; a really nice little glass.

Diamantakis Petali Assyrtiko, Heraklion 2025 (£19.50, Vindependents): White peachy nose, citrus freshness on the palate; oily texture. Good fun.

Red Gaia Wines Agiorgitiko By Gaia, Peloponnese 2023 (£20.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Savoury herbal, menthol nose; lively, complex palate of dark fruits and mint leaf.

Manolesakis Estate Moschomavro/Limnio Exis, Macedonia 2024 (£16, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Bright dark cherry nose; soft and creamy with bitter cherry finish.

Alpha Estate Single Vineyard Hedgehog Xinomavro, Macedonia 2023 (£24.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Savoury cured ham, truffle and herb; lovely tannins – to be enjoyed with protein.

Navitas Winery Xinomavro Terre de Zeus, Macedonia 2022 (£26.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Evocative savoury aromas; dusty, slightly drying tannins – one for lovers of old Barolo.

HUNGARY White Gilvesy Cellars Gilvesy St George Cuvée, Badacsony 2023 (£20.95, Davy’s Wine Merchants): Smoke and pineapple and zip – a distinctive Hungarian take on Riesling.

Royal Tokaji Furmint, Tokaj 2022 (£16.99, Fells): Stone fruits and almond nuttiness on a ripe palate. Nicely balanced.

Breitenbach Winery Tokaj Dry Szamorodni, Tokaj 2023 (£20.50, Vindependents): A touch of fino character, baked apples, lovely acidity – very niche, but fun if handsold.

Sweet & fortified Royal Tokaji Sweet Szamorodni, Tokaj 2019 (£19.99, Fells): Delicately sweet rather than rich; pale with candied fresh stone fruit.

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Highly commended wines HUNGARY Sweet & fortified continued Breitenbach Winery Tokaji Aszú 6 p Amfora Selection, Tokaj 2022 (£70.50, Vindependents): Vivid nose – intense citrus, marshmallow; candied citrus palate, smoky finish. Very good.

ITALY

ILatium Morini Le Calle, Soave 2024 (£18.71, Alliance Wine): Gentle texture and delicious stone fruit with a rounded feel.

Umani Ronchi Centovie Pecorino, Colli Aprutini 2023 (£28, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Tropical fruits with fresh almond undertones; delightful, stylish drink.

Sparkling

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio Riserva, Trentino 2024 (£18, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Tangerine and lemon citrus; lovely mix of acidity, fruit and minerality.

Villa Sandi Prosecco Asolo Il Nero, Veneto NV (£19.99, Cachet Wine): Fresh and fluent with attractive subtle herbal, slightly medicinal notes.

Azienda Agricola Mario Giribaldi Langhe Arneis, Piedmont 2024 (£17.99, Cachet Wine): Restrained and subtle tangerine nose; discreet charm at a good price.

Prapian Estate Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut, Asolo NV (£14.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Smooth, fresh, clean, subtle pear and lightly floral honey.

Azienda Agricola Mario Giribaldi i Risi Gavi, Piedmont 2024 (£17.69, Cachet Wine): Very clean, subtle lemon nose; saline, light and soft on the palate – goodquality Gavi.

Bellavista Franciacorta Extra Brut Alma Assemblage 2, Franciacorta NV (£35.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Uplifting: satin texture, silky mousse and very mild texture; lovely dry finish.

Cantina Lavis Nosiola, Trentino 2023 (£13.99, Cachet Wine): Light and easygoing texture; appealing floral quality and juicy white peach.

Medici Ermete Lambrusco Concerto Reggiano, EmiliaRomagna 2024 (£16.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classic Lambrusco: dry and attractively bitter with black cherry and ripe dark plum.

Zeni Soave DOC Classico Vigne Alte, Veneto 2025 (£13.99, Cachet Wine): Apricot stone fruit, herbaceous; minerals and honey – superior Soave value strikes again.

Bortolin Angelo Spumanti Prosecco Extra Dry, Prosecco Valdobbiadene 2025 (£19.95, Jeroboams): Concentrated pear purée with a light touch of candied, dried apple.

Villa Sandi Pinot Grigio, Veneto 2024 (£11.75, Cachet Wine): Floral, fresh, dry, clean and refreshing. Lovely grapefruit flavours and minerals.

Produttori di Manduria Aka Charme Rosato Spumante Brut, IGT, Salento 2024 (£18.48, Alliance Wine): Crunchy red fruits on the nose and palate; good, long fruity finish.

White Feudo Antico Casadonna Pecorino, Terre Aquilane IGP 2020 (£69.99, Alliance Wine): Herbal and savoury, great tension and acidity – really lights up the mouth.

Tenuta Olim Bauda Chardonnay I Boschi, Piedmont 2023 (£30.94, Alliance Wine): Gentle honeyed fruit on the nose; very suave palate; length and cut.

Feudo Antico Pecorino Biologico, Tullum 2024 (£25.18, Alliance Wine): Clean orchard fruit nose; good complexity of honeyed stone fruit on the palate.

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Cantina Lavis Pinot Grigio, Trentino 2024 (£14.49, Cachet Wine): Very perfumed and lively; fruit-driven and a touch of blossom.

Famiglia Castellani Collesano Vermentino, Tuscany 2024 (£16, Gonzalez Byass UK): A truly distinctive wine filled with lime and mint. Easy to sell.

Di Filippo Grechetto di Todi, Umbria 2024 (£17.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A characterful, enjoyably balanced easy-drinker to have with smart seafood pasta.

San Marzano Vermentino Timo, Salento 2025 (£14.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Totally classic Vermentino, but from the south: fresh, vibrant, pithy.

La Chiara Derthona Timorasso, Derthona 2023 (£25.50, Jeroboams): Very inviting peaches-and-cream nose; clean, intense palate that tapers to a fine point.

La Giustiniana Lugarara Gavi di Gavi, Gavi 2025 (£21.99, Liberty Wines): Floral, herbaceous, very appealing intensity and great commercial style.

Poggio al Tesoro Solosole Vermentino, Tuscany 2024 (£29.99, Liberty Wines): Concentrated and fleshy with a pronounced streak of minerality. Very well made.

Franz Haas Dolomiti Pinot Grigio, Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2025 (£19.99, Liberty Wines): Mango, peach, hint of floral; lovely fruit and texture, cleansing finish.

Cantine di Marzo Greco di Tufo DOCG, Greco di Tufo 2024 (£22.50, Marcato Direct): Golden hues, fragrant on the nose; light, vibrant, good acidity and balance.

Orange Azienda Agricola Cortese Orange-utan Bianco, Terre Siciliane 2024 (£15, North South Wines): Beautiful nose to go with the lovely pale copper colour. Great price.

Rosé Cecchi Calipte Toscana IGT Rosato, Tuscany 2025 (£16, Vinexus): Great nose, really fresh and lively; palate is softly strawberry.

Red

Il Poggiarello Mami Bianco, Emilia-Romagna 2025 (£31, Moreno Wines): Floral fragrance: very aromatic; touch of herb, apricot; impeccable style and length.

Le Chiantigiane Loggio del Sole Governo All’Uso, Toscana IGT 2024 (£16.13, Alliance Wine): Typical fruit profile, richer than a straight Sangiovese; good for drinking now rather than cellaring.

Caruso & Minini Bibbo Zibbibo, Sicily 2025 (£17, Moreno Wines): Pale, vibrant, and lively – honeydew melon and pears; refreshing and lingering.

Rallo Azienda Agricola Regnante Perricone, Sicily 2025 (£19.99, Alliance Wine): Very dense, intense colour; super savoury nose; spice and leather.

Miopasso Grillo Appassimento, Sicily 2023 (£12.99, North South Wines): Bright honey and honeysuckle; vibrant, fantastic balance. Absolute cracker of a wine for £12.99!

Produttori di Manduria Sonetto Primitivo, Manduria, Puglia 2019 (£46.50, Alliance Wine): Robust, forthright style – in a good way. Pleasingly dusty, dusky finish.

Odulìn Ribolla Gialla, Friuli Venezia-Giulia 2024 (£13, North South Wines): Intense nose of citrus peel; soft texture of ripe pear. Lovely value.

Serègo Alighieri Possessioni Rosso Valpolicella Classico, Valpolicella Classico 2023 (£20, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Pleasing smoky note; dark cherry and chocolate; savoury finish.

Azienda Agricola Cortese Vanedda Bianco, Terre Siciliane 2023 (£20, North South Wines): Golden hue – oak? Lovely fruit richness balanced with great freshness.

Integro Verdeca, Puglia 2024 (£13.50, North South Wines): Yummy brightness of fruit salad – peach, melon and crisp ripe apple. Excellent value.

Val delle Rose Litorale Vermentino Maremma Toscana DOC, Tuscany 2025 (£15, Vinexus): Peaches and nectarines, freshly picked; touch of orange blossom – light, soft, very drinkable.

Tenuta Alzatura Aria di Casa Montefalco Bianco DOC, Umbria 2023 (£30, Vinexus): Golden hue, fresh and subtle oaking – good complexity while remaining fresh.

Tenuta Il Cascinone Crocera Barbera d’Asti, Barbera d’Asti 2022 (£13.99, Boutinot): Fresh, juicy, classic Barbera: youthful grip and upfront pleasure.

Zeni Bardolino DOC Classico Vigne Alte, Veneto 2024 (£13.99, Cachet Wine): Pleasant cherry quality; raspberry too. Tangy and balanced – would be nice chilled.

Azienda Agricola Mario Giribaldi Nebbiolo D’Alba, Piedmont 2022 (£23.99, Cachet Wine): Aromatic, bright red fruits; rich tannins; accessible, upfront style of Nebbiolo.

Tenuta Gacci Rubicone, Emilia-Romagna 2016 (£75, Cachet Wine): Still loads of colour: nose of spice and herbs; rich dark black cherry. Big and impressive.

Cecchi Lobelia Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2025 (£16, Vinexus): Just the loveliest basket full of stone fruits!

Love it.

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Highly commended wines ITALY red continued Cantina Lavis Pinot Nero, Trentino 2024 (£14.49, Cachet Wine): Redcurrant fruit; relatively rich style of Pinot – useful alternative to New Zealand.

Casa Grazia Victorya 1607, Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2024 (£34.90, Dellavita Wines): Sweet red fruits, inviting nose; nicely integrated tannins – ambitious.

Casa Grazia Laetitya, Sicily 2024 (£27.90, Dellavita Wines): A generous tutti-frutti nose; good acidity, fresh but rounded.

Casa Grazia Per Mari Nero d’Avola, Sicily 2023 (£23.20, Dellavita Wines): Punchy, dark, intense, full-bodied and plenty of tannin: robust and winter-warming.

Cantina Lavis Marzemino, Trentino 2023 (£14.99, Cachet Wine): Real crowd pleaser with berry fruit, silky tannins: show us the pizza or pasta with ragù.

Cantina Lavis Teroldego, Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2024 (£14.49, Cachet Wine): Nice bright nose, rich black fruits; nicely balanced tannins – lovely midweek drinker.

Ratti Langhe Rosso DOC, Langhe 2024 (£18.99, Fells): Violets, dusty tannins: light, bright and juicy with a lovely long finish.

Famiglia Castellani Collesano Chianti Riserva, Chianti 2021 (£19, Gonzalez Byass UK): Nicely perfumed in classic Chianti style – cherry and oregano, just settling into a good moment.

Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva, Chianti 2021 (£43, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Beautiful nose, so fragrant. Big structure underpins gorgeous fruit. Very classy.

Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva, Chianti 2020 (£27.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Something floral and herbal on the nose – delightful! Tannins are ripe and polished. Very good quality.

Banfi Rosso di Montalcino Poggio Alle Mura, Tuscany 2019 (£79, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Coffee, spice, loads of bright crunchy fruit; persistent finish, ageworthy – unmistakably Brunello.

Banfi Rosso di Montalcino Poggio Alle Mura, Tuscany 2023 (£27.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Outstanding nose, deep, brooding, but fresh: loads still to come, but great now.

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Fattoria Casaloste Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico 2021 (£25.95, Jeroboams): Great purity of fruit with a really alluring nose; great supporting structure.

Amalia Cascina Barbera d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba 2023 (£22.95, Jeroboams): Pretty nose; solid, dark, ripe and substantial palate without being overbearing. Very well done.

Piandimare Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2021 (£15.95, Jeroboams): Exotic, quite floral nose: pot pourri. Succulent palate, ripe tannins.

Capezzana Barco Reale di Carmignano, Carmignano 2023 (£21.99, Liberty Wines): Red fruit and spice; nicely medicinal palate, firm but moreish, foodfriendly tannins. Still young.

Vigneti del Vulture Piano del Cerro Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata 2021 (£29.99, Liberty Wines): Intense and concentrated but somehow balanced: really grippy, dark and interesting.

San Cassiano Valpolicella Superiore DOC, Valpolicella Superiore 2023 (£16.99, Marcato Direct): Delicate charcuterie smokiness; red cherry, almond and nice weight of fruit.

Principiano Giuseppe e Francesco Barolo Ravera di Monforte DOCG, Barolo 2022 (£58.99, Marcato Direct): Very good: bricky – it’s not about fresh fruit – savoury, long. One to think about and with.

Villa Giada Suri Barbera d’Asti DOCG, Barbera d’Asti 2024 (£20.50, Marcato Direct): A ripe style with lots of depth and layers; tannins beautifully crunchy.

Vigneti Radica Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2023 (£15.99, Marcato Direct): Packed with dark smoky fruit and herbs – robust but pizza-ready.

Caruso & Minini Frapello, Nerello Mascalese & Frappato, Sicily 2024 (£17, Moreno Wines): Dry tannins dovetail with bright cherry-led fruit: the blend really works.

Il Poggiarello Valandrea Gutturnio, Gutturino 2024 (£22, Moreno Wines): Cherries and violets, coffee and oak. Rich palate of plump fruit.

Paolo Leo Pianerosse Susumaniello, Puglia 2022 (£13, North South Wines): Great acidity: really well made and easy drinking. Crowd-pleasing barbecue red.

Paolo Leo Riserva (Negroamaro Malvasia Nera di Lecce), Salice Salentino 2020 (£14, North South Wines): Big with lots of berry juiciness – rich and dark: easy to sell.

Marco Porello Langhe Nebbiolo DOC, Langhe 2023 (£19.99, Winetraders): Beguiling and persuasive: bright cherry fruit that makes you want to drink another glass.

Corti Salentine, Primitivo di Manduria 2023 (£15.99, North South Wines): Rich fruit, fine tannin structure; long, long fruity clean finish.

Sweet & fortified

Corti Salentine Riserva DOC, Salice Salentino 2021 (£14.99, North South Wines): Savoury but with great fruit; well balanced and good length.

Azienda Agricola Cortese Senia Nero d’Avola, Sicily 2020 (£23.50, North South Wines): Intense, slightly tannic; lots of cassis and spice. Full-bodied and lengthy.

Michele Chiarlo Nivole Moscato d’Asti, Moscato d’Asti 2025 (£21.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Classic happy-juice Moscato: floral and grapey and soft and light.

Pellegrino Passito Pantelleria Liquoroso, Pantelleria 2024 (£19.99, Fells): inviting, raisins, orange peel, blossom nose and an intense palate: something quite special.

Integro Primitivo, Puglia 2025 (£13.50, North South Wines): Simple but attractive: open, upfront, sweet figgy fruit and rustic tannin.

LEBANON

Val delle Rose Rosamante Morellino di Scansano, Tuscany 2023 (£16, Vinexus): Very pretty fruit, rich and smooth palate. Great value for an excellent wine.

Château Ka Source Blanche, Bekaa Valley 2024 (£22, Alliance Wine): Light but moreishly pithy palate, with a streak of minerality. Attractively different.

Aminta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany 2021 (£60, Vinexus): Great depth and real Brunello style: fantastic tannin-acid fretwork. Complex.

Rosé

Aminta Rosso di Montalcino DOC, Tuscany 2024 (£32, Vinexus): Oregano and red cherry – classic Sangiovese nose. Energy, light grip and depth.

Tenuta Alzatura Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG, Umbria 2020 (£30, Vinexus): Power-packed, lots of stuffing in tannin and fruit and alcohol. But it works!

Cantine Povero Batu Barbaresco, Barbaresco 2022 (£29.50, Vindependents): Juicy style of Barbaresco; well integrated tannins and alcohol. Super soft and fruity.

Cà dei Maghi Valpolicella Classico Superiore, Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2021 (£29.50, Vindependents): Distinctive and bright juiciness – love the tanginess of cherries on the palate.

Sensi Vigne e Vini Poggio Scudieri Officium Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Brunello di Montalcino 2019 (£32.50, Vindependents): Accessibly priced Brunello, but still multilayered and very true to type. Good work.

White

Château Oumsiyat Soupir, Bekaa Valley 2025 (£14, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): A walk in the peach groves in the spring air! Stone fruit, fresh off the tree.

NEW ZEALAND White Heaphy Moutere Chardonnay, Nelson 2024 (£19.99, Boutinot): Creamy-yeasty to open; Comté cheese savouriness; nice winemaking.

Lake Road Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 (£16.99, Cachet Wine): Green bell pepper, tropical nose; well-rounded texture. Nicely done.

Te Kano Pinot Gris, Central Otago 2023 (£23.50, Davy’s Wine Merchants): Subtle sweetness, white fleshy fruit, good body and texture.

Lake Chalice Sauvignon Blanc The Raptor, Marlborough 2023 (£19.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Full bodied, heightened acidity, gooseberry fool – classic NZ Sauvignon Blanc.

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Highly commended wines NEW ZEALAND White continued Hunter’s Wines Offshoot Chardonnay, Marlborough 2024 (£23.95, Jeroboams): Clean and sharp – welldefined fruit; serious but very pleasant to drink.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Chardonnay, Marlborough 2023 (£17, Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines): Savoury toasty oak, touch of smoke, dovetailing with the fresh fruit.

Good price.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 (£14, Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines): Super-intense style – lots of green pepper, high acidity. Good value.

Tohu Tohu Marewa SV Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2024 (£18, North South Wines): Crisp acidity, clear notes of gooseberry – textbook Kiwi Sauvignon.

Monowai Upper Reaches Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay 2021 (£20, The Antipodean Sommelier): Fruit and delicacy to go with the oak; biscuit tones; good quality.

Swift Albariño, Hawke’s Bay 2025 (£20, The Antipodean Sommelier): Delicate nose, hints of white fruit – intense palate with peach flavours and oily finish.

Jules Taylor Wines Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 (£19.50, Thorman Hunt): Elegant, restrained, old world style: salinity, minerality, oyster shells.

Jules Taylor Wines Marlborough Grüner Veltliner, Marlborough 2025 (£19.50, Thorman Hunt): Inviting green herbaceous nose; soft, slightly oily palate; fresh finish.

Jules Taylor Wines The Better Half Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2025 (£16, Thorman Hunt): Fresh of nose, relatively full structure for Sauvignon – persistent, citrussy finish.

Red Tiki Wine & Vineyards Tiki Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, North Canterbury 2023 (£19, Castelnau Wine Agencies): Cranberries and red cherries with plum on the palate; fresh and enjoyable.

Jules Taylor Wines Marlborough Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2023 (£22.50, Thorman Hunt): Clove, star anise and smokiness; good balance with crunchy red fruit.

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Saint Clair Pinot Noir Pioneer Block 14, Saint Clair, Marlborough 2022 (£23.99, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Touch of savouriness, red cherry and a hint of tobacco leaf. Juicy, light, enjoyable.

Craggy Range Vineyards Pinot Noir, Martinborough 2024 (£36, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Raspberry jam, fresh cherry and freshening green tones; complexity.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2021 (£16, Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines): Wet wood nose; ripe red fruits, lush, accessible style.

Lawson’s Dry Hills Reserve Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2023 (£18, Lawson’s Dry Hills Wines): Vanilla oak and ripe red berries; succulent style at pretty price.

Snapper Rock Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2022 (£15, The Antipodean Sommelier): Light and easy style, with herbs and lactic notes; red berries to the fore.

Kelly Washington Organic Lowburn Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2024 (£38.50, Jeroboams): Lovely ripeness; plump but fresh berries with good acidity. Smart.

NORTH MACEDONIA Red Tikveš Babuna Red, Tikveš 2022 (£26.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Rich black cherry – intense. Sturdy tannins, pleasingly rustic and a bit of a find.

PORTUGAL Sparkling Global Wines Cabriz Sparkling Wine White Brut, Dão 2019 (£15.50, Marta Vine): Leftfield sparkler with fresh lemon and apple; distinctive earthy undertone.

Calçada Portal da Calçada Spumante, Vinho Verde NV (£10, North South Wines): Fun, fruity and frothy. Lots of peach and apple fruit. Straightforward but very well made.

White No Rules Wines Portal da Estrela Branco, Dão 2024 (£12.99, Boutinot): Smells like a waft of fresh air: bright, breezy, approachable conversion kit for Portuguese whites.

POÇAS FAMILY MEMBERS

Poças Vinho Verde Tongue Twister, Vinho Verde 2024 (£12.99, Cachet Wine): Fresh with apple and floral notes, very easy going but nice concentration.

Poças Branco da Ribeira, Douro 2024 (£49.99, Cachet Wine): Lovely white fruit, freshness, acidity, balance and finish – a tad pricey, but lots going on.

Encosta das Perdizes White, Alentejo 2025 (£13, Daniel Lambert Wines): Ripe nose, rounded green fruits – nicely made easy drinking at an attractive price.

Vale da Mata White, Lisboa 2024 (£18.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lemon meringue and grapefruit rind – what a lovely distinctive dry white for summer.

Reguengo de Melgaço Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2024 (£21.49, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): White flowers, pear and green apple – very high quality Alvarinho.

Esporão Reserva Branco, Alentejo 2024 (£22, Hatch Mansfield): Some oak on the nose that is nicely integrated in a balanced rich white with lots of presence.

Adega Coop de Favaios Casa Velha Gouveio, Douro 2024 (£16.50, Marta Vine): Lovely peach, pear, green fruit. Inviting nose. Appealing all-rounder.

Global Wines Vinha dos Amores Encruzado, Dão 2021 (£38, Marta Vine): Very well made, deft oak, lovely ripe fruit and typical pithy Encruzado character.

Calçada Quinta da Calçada Alvarinho, Vinho Verde 2024 (£15, North South Wines): A textbook take on modern Vinho Verde: spritzy and light, with delightful fennel notes.

Red No Rules Wines Portal da Estrela Tinto, Dão 2021 (£12.49, Boutinot): Lively, fresh red berry flavours.

High tannins. Great wine for the price.

Poças Reserva Tinto, Douro 2023 (£19.99, Cachet Wine): Fruity, blueberries and floral notes (violet lavender), lovely balance – will improve with age, too.

Poças Fora da Série Red Roga, Douro 2022 (£26.99, Cachet Wine): Berries, lighter fruit, cranberries and lots of acidity – unusual sappy Douro style.

Encosta das Perdizes Red, Alentejo 2024 (£13.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Fig and green pepper: lots of fruit floods the palate. Great price.

Global Wines Vinha Maria Reserva Red, Dão 2022 (£13, Marta Vine): Darker fruits, spice, lots of tannins – robustly amusing for dark nights.

Global Wines Cabriz Edição Especial, Dão 2018 (£22.50, Marta Vine): Stewed fruit, Christmas spice: good concentration; a wine that merits its price.

Fortified Poças Colheita, Douro 2005 (£44.99, Cachet Wine): Gorgeous nutty butterscotch – yum! Long, long finish.

A treat.

Poças 20 Year Old Tawny, Douro NV (£49.50, Cachet Wine): Deep cut of cooked pear, caramelised and roasted nuts; luscious loveliness.

Dow’s Late Bottled Vintage, Douro 2020 (£17.99, Fells): Rich red fruit in a classic LBV style; velvety tannins – excellent price.

Kopke Colheita Tawny Port, Douro 2001 (£58, Jeroboams): More nutty, caramel loveliness – very smooth texture and great balance.

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Highly commended wines ROMANIA White Cramele Recas Wildflower Chardonnay, Viile Timisului 2024 (£11.77, Alliance Wine): Unusually perfumed nose for a Chardonnay; sweet, candied fruit; price is a plus.

Orange Crama Delta Dunarii La Sapata Feteasca Regala Orange, Dobrogea 2024 (£23, The Jolly Merchants): Perfumed, aromatic, floral, clean – a delicious (pale) orange wine.

SLOVENIA White Quercus Pinot Bianco, Goriška Brda 2024 (£15.50, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Gently fruited nose, bruised apple palate; more Alsace than Italian.

SOUTH AFRICA White Lo & Behold Chenin Blanc-Viognier, Piekenierskloof 2024 (£13.75, Alliance Wine): Lovely for price; pear and quince; works very well as an entry-level white.

Jordan Chardonnay Barrel Fermented, Stellenbosch 2024 (£25, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Very big, very buttery, very enjoyable and substantial; a wine to savour.

Wildeberg White, Franschhoek 2023 (£29.99, Boutinot): Beeswax and chamomile; a delicious full mouthful, with a lemon finish.

Wildeberg Coterie Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Coastal Region 2025 (£14.49, Boutinot): Value for money here: fresh citrus tones and a slight flinty edge.

Wildeberg Wild House Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape 2025 (£10.49, Boutinot): Grapefruit-tastic!

Sweetie-shop nose – a good, sharp entry-level Sauvignon.

Daschbosch Mossiesdrift Steen, Breedekloof 2024 (£19.99, Boutinot): Stewed and baked apple, sweet finish – apple pie vibes.

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Delheim Chenin Blanc Wild Ferment, Stellenbosch 2024 (£19, Delibo Wine Agencies): Extremely ripe style of Chenin – lots of apple sweets and a touch of perfume.

Warwick Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2023 (£27.99, Fells): Wild lemon thyme. Bright acidity and a lingering finish– pour me a glass.

Olifantsberg Grenache Blanc, Breedekloof 2022 (£24.25, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Complex merging of stone fruit and floral flavours – big but fresh.

Kleine Zalze Vineyard Selection Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch 2024 (£18.39, Hatch Mansfield): Skilful mix of pear, apple and honey. Serious balance and verve for this price.

Neethlingshof Duiker Cadenza Sauvignon Fumé, Stellenbosch 2024 (£24, Les Grands Chais de France): Canned pineapple and a touch of vanilla – much, much nicer than it sounds!

Le Grand Domaine Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc, Stellenbosch 2021 (£20, North South Wines): A Cape Sauvignon with a little extra level of concentration; lemon rind finish.

Old Road Wine Co Grand-Mère Semillon, Franschhoek 2024 (£38, North South Wines): Beautiful complex nose; full and voluptuous palate; floral white blossom. Yum. Red Raats Family Wines Family Reserve Cabernet Franc, Stellenbosch 2022 (£37.06, Alliance Wine): Complex but mellow, spicy dark fruit, pencil shavings, gentle tannins.

Tokara Directors Reserve Red, Stellenbosch 2022 (£40, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Very nice; vibrant, violet; grippy balanced tannin.

Tokara Reserve Collection Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2022 (£36, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Black fruit and deep oak – serious complexity and balance; fine, textured tannins.

Jordan Long Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2024 (£26, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Cassis, deep, but not too tannic. Lovely soft feel. Showing very well.

Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah, Stellenbosch 2023 (£36, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies): Complex, iron-rich, bloody – dark and intense and just very very good.

Buitenverwachting Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Constantia 2023 (£17, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Attractively lean; black fruit and vanilla oak – very good for the price.

False Bay/Waterkloof Boreas, Stellenbosch 2023 (£34.99, Boutinot): B.I.G! Spicy, savoury, deep violets and blackberry; hearty but lovely.

Wildeberg Wild House Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape 2025 (£10.99, Boutinot): Soft fruit, very easy, very safe choice for a house party.

Avondale Wine Jonty’s Ducks Pekin Red, Paarl 2021 (£18.49, Cachet Wine): Big and juicy – bold and fruity.

Plenty of powerful bang for buck.

Lomond Wines Estate Syrah, Cape South Coast 2022 (£19.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lovely rich fruit, fruitcake notes; integrated soft tannins. Very good.

Lomond Wines Romans Bay SMV, Cape South Coast 2022 (£14.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lovely and soft but fruity and spicy. Super-integrated tannins. Lovely long finish.

Brookdale Estate GSM Mason Road, Paarl 2024 (£18, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Soft and smooth Grenache. Nice fruit and soft finish. High but balanced alcohol.

Kleine Zalze Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch 2020 (£41.30, Hatch Mansfield): Impressive. Very spicy, very meaty, and very rich.

Justifies the price.

Le Grand Domaine Grand Vin de Stellenbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Stellenbosch 2020 (£24, North South Wines): Very balanced, deeply black fruit, spice, cedar and vanilla.

SPAIN Sparkling Vallformosa Cava Reserva Brut Origen, Cava 2023 (£14, North South Wines): Classically styled traditional Cava with an emphasis on upfront citrus and apple fruit.

White Bodegas Barbadillo Patinegro, Andalucia 2022 (£22.76, Alliance Wine): Nutty nose, direct and savoury. Great complex dry Palomino. Excellent typicity.

Bodegas Altolandon Doña Leo, Manchuela 2024 (£17.78, Alliance Wine): Nectarines, summer sunshine.

Food-friendly dry finish; black pepper. Great stuff.

Pazo Señorans Albariño Colección, Rías Baixas 2022 (£36.64, Alliance Wine): A whisper of kiwi on the nose and palate. Lovely texture and weight.

Cuatro Rayas Bodegas Pisuerga Organic Verdejo, Rueda 2024 (£13.94, Alliance Wine): Very bright fresh nose: tropical fruit (pineapple) and lemon. Refreshing.

Adega Ponte da Boga Godello, Ribera Sacra 2024 (£22.80, Alliance Wine): Apricot, restrained nose; shake of white pepper and spice; nettles and stone fruit. Complex.

Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca, Emporda 2024 (£16.87, Alliance Wine): Rich baked apple and fleshy palate; a soft hug.

Soto Manrique La Viña de Ayer Albillo Real, Cebreros 2021 (£22, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Trendy wine from an unusual variety; hard to pitch but very nicely balanced overall.

Bodega Hermanos del Villar Oro de Castilla Verdejo, Rueda 2024 (£14.99, Cachet Wine): Tropical fruits – banana; richness, with an oily palate. Classic Verdejo.

Torres Magnetic Blanco, Penedès 2024 (£12, Fells): Riesling-style nose; good value; interesting limey character.

Torres Spain Clos Ancestral White, Penedès 2023 (£20, Fells): More Riesling character lime-peachiness.

Lovely racy acidity – real character.

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Highly commended wines SPAIN White continued

Red

Jean Leon 3055 Chardonnay Organic, Penedès 2024 (£14.50, Fells): Lean and linear; great nose, nice fruit, textured on mid-palate, finishing fresh. Really good.

Perelada Només Garnatxa Negra, Emporda 2024 (£17.21, Alliance Wine): Charming nettle-like leafy character; juicy fruit. Characterful wine.

Bodegas Viñátigo Ensamblaje Blanco, Islas Canarias 2024 (£37, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Very much a natty vibe – wild and intense with tropical fruit.

Bodegas Murviedro Casa Lo Alto Garnacha, Valencia 2024 (£19.99, Boutinot): Ripe red fruits, gritty texture – very easily enjoyed.

Nivarius Rioja Blanco Maturana Blanca La Nevera, Rioja 2019 (£35, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Bright and fruity; good salinity; nice mouthfilling weight.

Very intriguing.

El Escoces Volante El Puno Tinto, Calatayud 2021 (£29.99, Boutinot): Vibrant red fruit, cranberries and red cherries; wonderfully juicy but balanced.

Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Alavesa Phincas Thousand Mils Blanco, Rioja 2020 (£35.75, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Very dark clour. Sherry-like nose. Nutty, rich and oxidative.

Bodegas Ondarre Rioja Blanco Valdebaron, Rioja 2024 (£16, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Creamy and rich; butterscotch and banana. Long finish.

Notas Frutales de Albariño La Trucha Albariño, Rías Baixas 2024 (£23.50, Jeroboams): Tropical fruit nose; almost off-dry finish; key lime pie flavours.

Bodegas Eguren Ugarte Rioja Blanco Crianza, Rioja 2022 (£17.95, Jeroboams): A bright nose of pineapple and banana; lovely integrated fruit.

Attis Albariño Lías Finas Val do Salnes, Galicia 2024 (£26.95, Richmond Wine Agencies): Petrichor and white pepper – a more savoury and mineral style of Albariño.

Bodega Hermanos del Villar Crianza Oro de Castilla, Ribera del Duero 2021 (£22.99, Cachet Wine): Rich mulberry fruit – fruits of the forest on the palate.

Deep and sumptuous.

Bodegas Príncipe de Viana Reserva, Navarra 2020 (£12.99, Cachet Wine): Superbly useful value red; juicy bright fruits and well balanced. Easy to drink more.

Bodegas Agronavarra Perdido Tempranillo Vino de la 3 Riberas, Navarra 2024 (£10.99, Cachet Wine): Slightly sweet, but attractive fruit all the same; can’t be beaten on price.

Bodega Enate Tempranillo, Somontano 2025 (£14.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Loads of ripe red fruit and a hint of smoke; feels fresh.

Torres Spain Clos Ancestral Red, Penedès 2023 (£20, Fells): Lovely concrete smell: brutalist aroma!

Deliciously bright raspberries on the palate.

Esteban Martin Ulula Sauvignon Blanc, Cariñena 2024 (£13.95, Ucopia Wines): Clean, green and mineral.

Perfectly good Sauvignon at a friendly price point.

Torres Spain Purgatori, DO Costers del Segre 2022 (£24, Fells): quiet nose, cranberry and vanilla. Lovely crunchy tannins and vibrant acidity.

Cooperativa Vitivinícola Arousana S Coop Galega Follas Novas Albariño, Rías Baixas 2025 (£19.50, Vindependents): Brioche nose; big lime; nice length and depth of flavour.

Jean Leon 3055 Merlot, Petit Verdot, Penedès 2023 (£14.50, Fells): Intense red fruits and spicy oak; violet-fragrant juiciness.

Rosé Celler de Capçanes Mas Donis Rosat, Montsant 2024 (£16.50, Alliance Wine): Florality and red fruit come together; a beautiful summer sipper.

Vega Tolosa 11 Piños Rosé, Manchuela 2025 (£12.50, Moreno Wines): Very herbal and juicy, very well balanced. It’s a food wine.

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Bodegas Resalte de Peñafiel Ribera del Duero Crianza, Ribera del Duero 2021 (£30, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Lovely nose – really inviting and deep.

Palate too. Great fruit and length.

Bodegas Ondarre Graciano, Rioja 2023 (£16.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fresh, vivid and vibrant: great black fruit style from a different Rioja grape.

Bodegas Bhilar Rioja Alavesa Phinca El Vedao, Rioja 2019 (£32.50, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Fragrant and bright with so much pure fruit; feels very modern.

Bodegas Alceño Sierra De Enmedio Monastrell, Jumilla 2024 (£16.50, Vindependents): Body Shop vanilla perfume – a great wine for wood lovers.

Tandem Tempranillo/Cabernet/Merlot Ars Nova, Navarra 2018 (£18, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Good varietal character and enjoyable Bordeauxgoes-Spanish style.

Marco Abella Loidana, Priorat 2023 (£24.50, Vindependents): Really elegant nose; true Priorat palate mixing warm flavours, structure and freshness.

CVNE Bela Roble, Ribera del Duero 2023 (£19.51, Hatch Mansfield): Real drinkability at a great price – love the dark bright fruit.

CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva, Rioja 2017 (£64.98, Hatch Mansfield): Lovely proper Rioja nose and so smooth on the palate. Great trad style but with fruit.

Castillo de Aresan Terruño Barrique Aged Red Blend Organic, Castilla La Mancha 2021 (£18, Les Grands Chais de France): Traditional in style, with generous fruit and lots of oak. It works very well.

Bodegas Pinoso Cepa 50, Alicante 2023 (£13.90, Marta Vine): Easy drinking – so good for a picnic or Spanish ham tapas, and an excellent price.

Neleman Wines Just Fucking Good Wine Red, Valencia 2024 (£23, Marta Vine): Dark cherry, gripping tannin, has the feeling of black pepper and bitter almond (good things!).

Alta Pavina Citius Pinot Noir, Castilla y León 2021 (£24, Moreno Wines): Dark, broody, stemmy; lots of spiced fruits – very good effort for a southern Pinot.

Vega Tolosa Bobal Icon, Manchuela 2024 (£15, Moreno Wines): Intense fruity nose; full tannins, yet fresh and light. Great value for money.

Eterea Kripan Phinca Hapa Tinto, Rioja 2021 (£31, Moreno Wines): Funky nose, a bit Pinot-earthy but not; keeps you very interested throughout the glass.

Mauricio Lorca Viña Péon Mencía de Amandi, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia 2023 (£21, Ucopia Wines): Inky colour – jammy red and black berry flavours; ripe and full.

Bodega Son Vich de Superna Supernins, Mallorca 2021 (£21.50, Vindependents): Old spices, earthy, velvety texture, blackcurrant and stemmy freshness.

Mas Blanch i Jové Saó Abrivat, Costers Del Segre 2023 (£23, Vindependents): Fleshy, iron-rich nose; fresh, bright red fruit. So different and interesting.

Bodegas Leza Garcia Valdepalacios Crianza, Rioja 2021 (£13.99, Vinterra): This is real value – soft and mellow Rioja vibes; well made.

Fortified Bodegas Arloren Vermut White, Jumila NV (£18.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Vanilla ice cream and Chartreuse; carries its alcohol well.

Bodegas Arloren Vermut Red, Jumila NV (£18.50, Daniel Lambert Wines): Burnt amber. Smells like sugar-free cola bottles. Herbs, bitter orange zest, caramel.

Valdespino Premium Collection Manzanilla Deliciosa Pago de Miraflores, Sanlúcar de Barrameda NV (£21.99, Liberty Wines): Lovely classic Manzanilla nose; green olives stuffed with lemon and hazelnuts; clean and saline.

TURKEY Rosé Kuzubağ Çal Karası / Kalecik Karası Rosé, Aegean 2024 (£18, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Love this: complex and interesting, some spice and savoury notes.

URUGUAY White Bodega Garzón Single Vineyard Albariño, Maldonado 2024 (£36.99, Liberty Wines): Lime and pastel de nata – leesy. Ambitious but it works.

Red Pisano Family Wines Cisplatino Tannat, Progreso 2024 (£15.49, Boutinot): Bright expression of Tannat; leather, some rusticity and dried spice. Juicy black fruits.

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Highly commended wines URUGUAY Red continued

Red

Bodega Bouza Merlot Pan de Azucar, Oceanic 2023 (£34.95, Jeroboams): Plum, tobacco, eucalyptus; big plush black fruits and oak. Complex and rich.

Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2023 (£45, Berkmann Wine Cellars): Fully ripe and glossy core of sweet cherry; polished tannins. Delivers for the money.

USA White

Trefethen Eshcol Red, Napa Valley 2022 (£22, Daniel Lambert Wines): Juicy and forward fruit, slick and polished oak. Leafy cassis, lifted plum.Taut, dry finish.

Sanford La Rinconda Chardonnay, Sta Rita Hills 2021 (£62, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Restrained but ripe Chardonnay with subtle crème fraiche, nuts and leesy notes.

Chimney Rock Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap District, Napa Valley 2023 (£126, Hallgarten & Novum Wines): Well-mannered, well-balanced, with blackcurrant, damson, smoke and cedar.

Scheid Family Wines Metz Road Chardonnay, Monterey 2021 (£27, North South Wines): Rounded, exotic fruit, lots of oak and cream; classic, slightly old-style Cali Chard.

Newfound Gravels Red, California 2022 (£36.95, Jeroboams): Very nice if it’s a bit chilled. Tastes younger than 2022; strawberries and cream.

Rosé Klinker Brick Winery Brick and Roses, Lodi 2025 (£20, Daniel Lambert Wines): Real interest and grip on the palate; restrained nose and soft fruit.

Valravn Old Vine Zinfandel, Sonoma 2022 (£27.95, Jeroboams): Green peppers and candied fruit. Good depth of flavour – but fresh, too.

Pavette Pinot Noir, California 2024 (£18.95, Jeroboams): Baked red fruit, jammy and ripe; wide appeal at this price.

Scheid Family Wines Metz Road Pinot Noir, Monterey 2020 (£25, North South Wines): Smoky strawberries on the nose; juicy berries on the palate, some dry tannin.

LORENZO AND HAILEY TREFETHEN

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THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

COUNTRY FILE Country

2025 winners

2026 winners

Change

France

23

24

+1

Italy

14

19

+5

Spain

16

7

-9

South Africa

7

8

+1

Portugal

4

8

+4

Argentina

6

4

-2

Greece

5

4

-1

Chile

5

4

-1

Australia

4

4

0

New Zealand

4

5

+1

England

1

2

+1

Georgia

2

2

0

Germany

2

1

-1

Hungary

1

2

+1

Austria

1

1

0

USA

1

1

0

Canada

0

2

+2

Turkey

0

1

+1

Bulgaria

0

1

+1

Armenia

1

0

-1

Moldova

1

0

-1

North Macedonia

1

0

-1

Romania

1

0

-1

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

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Leading suppliers 2025

Top 100 places

Highly Commended

Points Total

1

Hallgarten & Novum Wines 17 60 111

2

Vindependents 10 30 60

3

North South Wines 11 20 53

4

Alliance Wine 10 19 49

5

Cachet Wine 7 27 48

giving something back

6

Fells 7 21 42 Every year The Wine Merchant Top 100 supports a variety of charities.

Surplus wine from judging day is donated to good causes for their 7 Transylvania Wine 4 15 27 fundraising activities, and many of our judges waive their nominal £100 fees and ask us to send the money to their chosen charities.

8 Liberty Wines 6 4 22 For several years our main charity has been Children With Cancer Fund in Polegate.

In 2026, this was also the chosen charity of the Royal 9 Ucopia World Wines 4 3 15 Eastbourne Golf Club, and the wine that we donated for the club’s raffles, and events played a part in raising £18,000 across the year.

10 prizes Les Grands Chais de France 4 1 13 Here are some of our other recent beneficiaries: St Wilfrid’s Hospice, Eastbourne

Greenhouse Trust Fund

Seaford Youth Project

Helping Homeless Veterans

Methodology

Three points were awarded for a Top 100 place, and one point for eachRobson Foundation Eastbourne Dementia Action Sir Bobby Highly Commended placing

Alliance

Centrepoint 74

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

Macmillan Cancer Support

THE WINE MERCHANT TOP 100

75