Stockist/Retailer: Asda

(2026) Despite the name, this beautifully packaged wine is not Italian, but Australian, from the Calabria family. Though not stated, I believe Sangiovese is one of the major components of the blend. It's a pink that's much more about fresh-sliced apple and citrus than red fruits, just a little peach plus a cranberry or redcurrant note on the palate, but rather more lime and grapefruit zestiness and drive. A little bit different this one with that zingy directness. I like.

(2026) It's fairly common in South Africa to blend Pinotage with Bordeaux varieties, but Malbec doesn't usually feature so prominently as in this 70/30 blend of the two grapes. There's a definite floral aspect to this, a touch of violet and rose petal that is attractive, over dark cherry fruit. In the mouth the tannin and acid combine to make quite a fresh style, some spice and more of that red fruit character spanning cherry to raspberry, with a bit of crunch to the finish. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas. £7 in Asda at time of review.

(2026) Bruce Jack the man has been a renowned Cape winemaker for decades now, though today his company is global. This Chenin blanc fits the bill for the current trend towards moderate alcohol at 11% abv. It is sourced from vineyards in the Western Cape and has a clear apple and pear fruitiness, with a stripe of lemon rind. In the mouth it is light but has a bit of presence with juicy orchard fruits and that citrus freshness. Yes, there is a little sense of dilution here so avoid it you want full-body and concentration, but it's a useful, well-balance and lower alcohol all-rounder. The RRP on this is £8, but at time of review it is £7 in Asda. Look out for deals in Asda or Sainsbury's.

(2025) A cheerful, tank method French fizz composed of 33% Cinsault, 27% Grenache, 27% Syrah and 13% Carignan it is at the upper end of Brut with 12g/l of residual sugar. Fresh strawberry and floral aromas have a little creaminess. The palate is certainly sweet and easy-drinking. A party fizz for festive frolics.

(2024) In Asda, this is a wine from Mendoza that is a multi-variety blend. It majors on Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah which make up 97% of the blend, plus a splash of Tannat. It is assembled after separate fermentation of the components, and it is unoaked. Plummy and spicy stuff, a little bit of prune but also a distinct olive/herb lift. The palate has sweetness - maybe a touch of residual sugar, but also ripe berry fruit. The finish is spicy and fruity finishing gently.

(2024) This Chilean wine is an unusual blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc, the light peach/orange colour and hint of red berries coming from Pinot Noir. Aromatically, small redcurrant and cranberry notes join racier lemon withba touch of orange peel. The palate is fairly straightforward with citrus juiciness and a dry finish.

(2024) From Lisboa, this is mostly the local Castelão, along with 20% Tinta Roriz and 20% Syrah. The colourful label, from a joyful painting by street artist Hauke Vagt, sets the tone for an easy drinking but crisp and refreshing wine, pale salmon in colour and with a juicy strawberry and citrus palate. The picture here is fun, but actually very nicely balanced and juicy stuff.

(2023) The Plaimont cooperative in Southwest France produces this crisp but easy-drinking white from Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng.  With only 11.5% it's a lighter, summery style, but some skin maceration adds a little texture and complexity. Fresh, melon and lime aromas run to a palate that echoes that along with some tropical guava. A nicely pithy lemon acidity and perhaps the merest smidgen of residual sugar just softening the finish to let the fruit show through. On roll-back to £6 at time of review. Watch the video for more information.

(2023) I have already reviewed the white and red partners to this Languedoc pink, which all come in the same very distinctive, squat little bottles. It's actually a brand of Australian giant Banrock Station, but made in France. Everything is basically 100% recycled: glass, labels and screwcap. It blends 50% Grenache, 40% Cinsault and 10% Syrah and was fermented in both stainless steel and concrete tanks. Fashionably pale, small red berries and a little floral note before a palate with maybe just a hint of residual sugar, red berries running into lime.

(2023) Widely available in UK supermarkets, Taylor's 2018 Late Bottled Vintage is dark as pitch and has a floral, violet-edge note to the fragrance, cassis and black cherry following. So much brighter in character than the Fonseca Bin 27 also tasted. In the mouth the 104g/l of sugar plays out with mouth-filling sweetness and weight, ripe berries and again, cherry, with a dustiness to the tannins in teh finish that adds a welcome, ashy dryness to counter the lingering sweetness.