Fronsac's fine Château Dalem perches high on a hill, surrounded by its 14 hectares of sloping vineyards. It's an historic estate, with records dating back to 1610, that stayed in the same family until 1955. Michel Rullier then took it over and today it's run with great success by his descendant, Brigitte Rullier-Loussert. Its vineyards are nearly all planted to Merlot, with a small amount of Cabernet Franc, and tended with meticulous care.

As you can see from critics' scores (92 points from James Suckling and 94 from Vertedevin), it is an admired claret and one that ages very well too. Matured in French oak (50% new), it has structure and length, but above all an appealing fruity depth. Perfect with roast meat or wild mushroom risotto.

From an iconic cellar, dedicated now to all things organic, this is a magnificent 95-point Pauillac. With great depth of crushed berry fruit and graphite elegance, richly textured tannins and brooding intensity, it’s a fine claret, built to last.

Founded 200 years ago, Château Pédesclaux is a magnificent estate, both in terms of wine and architecture. It combines the beauty of the 19th century with the modernity and technological advances of the 21st.

The additional work was undertaken by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, whose aim was to place “production at the heart of the estate within a high-performance building that is entirely fit for purpose and makes a harmonious whole with both the château and its surroundings”. It's quite something to behold.

Since the Lorenzetti family took ownership they've converted to organic. Their top wine is a rich, Cabernet-based claret, supported by Merlot, and finely expresses its gravel terroir. Still a young wine – best to cellar or open early.

Twice 'Winemaker of the Year', Dr John Forrest is one of the greats of Marlborough, famous for pioneering screwcaps, lower alcohol wines and, of course, a range of superb reds, whites and rosés. He's a star with Sauvignon, but also likes to be the first to excel with unusual varieties like Arneis and Grüner Veltliner which compliment the Pinot Noir in this delicate pink. With extensive experience worldwide, daughter Beth is increasingly taking on more of the winemaking.

Field of Stones is a delicious pink, using Pinot Noir, Arneis, Grüner and Chenin, all sourced from a superb, stony Wairau Valley vineyard. This lends a flinty edge to the bright berry fruit and herbal notes of this fine rosé. Perfect with seafood, noodles and on its own.

In his book Grapes and Wines Oz Clarke rightly laments “the Muscat grape is treated with casual disregard by the majority of wine drinkers”. How so, when Muscat (aka Moscatel) is as old as wine itself, and so versatile it makes outstanding wines that can be sweet, dry, sparkling or fortified? Those in the know love Muscat for its exotic perfume and for the fact that it is perhaps the only wine that actually tastes of fresh grapes.

So without further ado get stuck into a glass of this Moscatel Rosado, unearthed by our award-winning Buyer for Spain. This modern, fruity, medium-dry, semi-sparkling rosé from sunny Valencian vineyards is addictively moreish. Savour well chilled – on its own or with grilled prawns or summer berries.

The famous gardens in London have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2003. They span 320 acres, employ 750 staff (a third are scientists) and house a truly extraordinary collection of trees, plants and fungi. For distiller Darren Rook Kew Gardens offer a cornucopia of botanicals, though he does supplement these with other organic botanicals from around the world. The gin is distilled in Battersea in a 140 litre copper pot still known as Christina (all stills are given names!). It is non-chill filtered, hand bottled and hand labelled, featuring a design inspired by the many plant drawings in Kew’s archives.