Wine Type: Dry White

(2026) It's Albariño, but it is not from Rias Baixas. In fact, it's not from Spain at all, but from the Foncalieu co-op in the Languedoc. A little more gold to the colour than might be typical of the variety, and ripe, golden delicious apple fruit on the nose along with a wisp of jasmine. It is vivacious on the palate, with plenty of lemony punch that is actually a little strident for me: it's lively but the acidity maybe just sparks a little too much.

(2026) Made by negociant Sichel, this non-vintage Vin de France comes from the south and is organic. The nose is relatively muted for the variety, the fruit like apple and melon, maybe a touch of peach and lemon peel. In the mouth it has a bright and juicy character where peachy, sweet fruit is harnessed by lemon pith and grapefruit in a dry finish.

(2026) The lowly 12.5% alcohol is noted in this Sonoma County Chardonnay. If it is oaked, it is discreetly so, with just a hint of mint and honey to buttery and ripe orchard fruit. In the mouth it is well-balanced, a medium texture and fine limey acidity cutting through the more juicy and ripe stone and orchard fruit of the palate. Quite long, just a hint of phenolic grip and texture giving savoury appeal.

(2026) Penon-Hofstatt is one of the higher UGAs with vineyards from 500- to 650-metres, on steel southeast facing slopes with a high diurnal shift between day and night temperatures. Soils are sandy and gravel with dolomite limestone, quartz, mica and clay minerals. After fermentation in stainless steel this is aged on the fine lees in large, oak barrels for nine months. Peach and pear aromas are creamy and ripe, some lemon peel. Deliciously ripe, juicy and mouth-filling, lime skins and lemon peel acidity with a salty mineral edge feeling grippy and structured. This has texture, fruit and intensity. A terrific wine.

(2026) A local wine for Shropshire based Tanners, this is made from the hybrid Solaris variety and opens with a pungent elderflower and cat's pee aromatic that dominates the nose. In the mouth there's a little tropical fruit note, but a sour lemon acidity soon makes its presence felt. I like the fact that this is not too showy and is dry, but at almost £20 it's a struggle to whole-heartedly recommend it.

(2026) Even after all these years I can still come across grape varieties new to me; in this case, Langhe speciality Bianver. The wine, from sandy and clay soils is fermented with wild yeasts and stays on its lees, in steel, for seven months with regular bâtonnage. There's a lot of colour this when poured, a deep yellow heading to gold. The nose is creamy, with perhaps just a hint of nutty oxidation. I am not sure whether that is the style, or a product of this small sample bottle. The palate has plenty of weight and rolling texture, the fruit somewhere between nutty, honeyed character and quite a luscious nectarine ripeness. A fascinating and niche wine of great interest.

(2026)

A fun label on this wine, Bisou meaning 'kiss' in French and a pair of luscious lips on the label change colour from pea green to deep blue when the wine in the fridge has reached the correct drinking temperature. What's in the bottle is a Pays d'Oc Chardonnay that's very pleasing, in a broadly Macon-Villages style. Minimal (or no?) oak means it is about fresh, ripe orchard fruit and lime aromas and flavours, a touch of buttery creaminess and texture, and a fresh, appetising finish with a citrus juiciness. No UK retail stockists listed at time of review, but importer Hallgarten gives an RRP of £16.25

(2026) This delicious white wine is made from ancient vines belonging to Jean-Marc Lafage, some of them over 100 years old. It's a blend of Grenache Gris and Grenache Blanc with a little Roussanne, around 20% seeing some barrel ageing. I think this represents a great bargain, especially at the club price of £15. The nose is redolent of honeysuckle and peach, a touch of citrus peel too. In the mouth it is textured and crammed with fruit flavour, but always edged by its acidity and with a savoury note of bay and peppercorn that adds to the immense, 12.5% alcohol, drinkability.

(2026) Made from 85% Garganega grapes grown in volcanic soils east of Verona, along with some Trebbiano and Chardonnay. This is a particularly vivacious example of Soave. Talc-like floral aromatics precede bright passion fruit and citrus, some musky green fig and a touch of Epsom salts. In the mouth there is grapefruit and nectarine, plenty of lime and a touch of sherbet. Quite distinctive in the Soave idiom - some would say an outlier - with plenty of punch and verve. Price and stockist for previous vintage at time of review.

(2026) There are several white Bordeaux wines from producer Calvet around. This one, on offer at £7 in Ocado at time of review, also says 'Cuvée Fumé' on the label and has 11% alcohol. The Sauvignon aromas ring clear, the oak influence very subtle, perhaps just adding a little almond sheen. Quite straighforward, light, and fresh in the finish it's a nice aperitif, goat's cheese or seafoody choice at the offer price (down from £8.50).