Wine Type: Dry White

(2025) This is an early review for this wine, written in November 2025, so expect it to become much more widely available over ensuing months. With fruit mainly from the Wairau Valley, 1.8% of the blend was fermentedin large-format oak vats and a portion fermented using wild yeast. Aromatically there is definitely a touch of the passion fruit and elderflower, but it seems to be more about a direct citrus freshness in a wine of very pale colour. In the mouth it is bracing stuff, much less flamboyant than some vintages, and again a cool citrus and lightly herbal character rather than anything overtly tropical. A well-tempered rendition of this classic in 2025.

(2025) From the estate’s oldest vines, planted at high altitude, this is matured for 11 months in French oak. It's a lightly buttery and creamy style of Chardonnay, subtly draped in oak, with citrus and stone fruits and a wisp of something flinty. In the mouth it is textured and creamy, the background of nutty, lightly toasty oak is there, plenty of vivacious acidity and a juicy finish of good length.

(2025) From a cooperative of 192 vine growers in Navarra, grapes come exclusively from high-altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Most notably, this weighs in with just 10.5% alcohol which could be useful on occasions.

(2025) Since last tasted in 2023, I get even more of the flinty character that was so attractive first time round, and still it is beautifully done. From some of the highest vineyards of the Hills at 520 - 540 metres, the fruit from 25-year-old vines and is fermented with wild yeast in barriques and puncheons of French oak, 20% new. There is still almond and oatmeal creaminess over a nutty apple fruit and a sense of gentleness. In the mouth lemony and bright, the focus is good in a medium-bodied format where the crisp acid defines the finish.

(2025) Like its Merlot partner also tasted, a dontation for every bottle sold of this wine from La Mancha in Spain goes to the Born Free Foundation, the animal conservation charity. From the heat of southern Spain yet with only 11.5% alcohol this has obviously been picked early, and the nose is subtle for the variety, with stone fruit and a gentle mintiness, leading on to a flavourful palate, with ripe fruit that does not enter the overtly tropical spectrum, but stays juicy and poised with balanced acidity.

(2025) A wine from El Escocés Volante, aka Scottish winemaker Norrel Robertson MW, who has spent over two decades making some really interesting wines in Spain. Made from the seldom seen Albilla (aka Albillo), it is unoaked but spent 12 months on the lees.  There's an interesting perfume here, a little squeak of elderflower, but something bon-bon like and floral too, almost a pineapple chunk brightness. In the mouth this has a surprisingly slippery and viscose texture, a real saline aspect, the fruit stays focused on preserved lemon and hints of riper stone fruits into a well-balanced, dry finish. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) A riper style of Albariño, this but no problem with that as the slightly leesy and creamy weight works well and it retains its saline-touched freshness. Citrus, nuttiness and juicy chilled melon fruit, finishing with a punch of salty preserved lemon.

(2025) Treixadura is a classic white grape of Bierzo in Galicia, next door to the better known Rías Baixas. There's a golden hue to this 2021 example, and honeyed notes to the soft peachy fruit. In the mouth peaches and oranges combine, the acidity a touch softer than in a typical Albariño, but it has a fleshier and slightly plumper feel that is deliciously drinkable and yet still fresh and balanced. Angels price is £14.99

(2025) This wine from Moldova comes from a new appellation for me, called Ștefan Vodă. Unfortunately it appears to have sold out before I had a chance to publish this report, but the Angel price was £8.99. It opens with quite a soft, almond-touched nose that also hints at florals, over juicy apple fruit. In he mouth a touch of residual sugar adds to a sense of overt sweetness and easy-drinking style. Acid does hold the finish, lemon and grapefruit flavours in tact.

(2025) From the Veneto, the Custoza DOC specialises in white wines made from Cortese, Garganega and Trebbiano like this one, though sparkling and sweet variations also exist. A very light spritz on opening leads on to a bright, zippy wine with pear juice aromas, lemon and a background of creamy almond. In the mouth it has good texture and plenty of fruit sweetness. The acidity is nicely judged, pure and lemony with a saline hint that balances developing peachiness on the mid-palate.