Like the much adored so-called ‘standard’ Corsiero, this punchy rich red is full of the dark spicy cherry fruit of Nero di Troia. It’s a terrific southern Italian grape, deeply coloured and full of dense red fruit, and with excellent structure. However, in our ‘riserva’ edition – our thoroughbred charger, Purosangue – the grapes are from particularly old vines to lend even more intensity of flavour. Leading winemaker Mario Ercolino made a rigorous selection of the grapes, then oak aged the wine in barrel to create this sleek, aristocratic red that will warm you with its velvety texture, rich spice and dense black fruit. Partner with equally substantial dishes – we recommend a well seasoned pork and butter bean casserole or meaty pasta.

Our scout and buyer for the Languedoc-Roussillon is Mark Hoddy. He's always searching the region's vineyards, to check out the vintage and the finest parcels of grapes. This is an ace find Mark discovered first in 2019 via an old friend in Corbières. Close by is Domaine La Lirande, a small estate founded in 1912 by the grandfather, François, in the tiny village of Coulobres. Every year, the Syrah from the domaine's 8 hectares of 40-year-old vines stands out for quality. Just taste the richness of this seductive red. Ripe black fruit, velvety, with smoky liquorice and wild herb notes, it's young, so best with hearty dishes like pasta bake or at a barbecue.

Muga is a byword for quality in Rioja. It's a family estate founded in 1932 and still housed in the historic Barrio de La Estación in Haro. It prides itself on some of the most traditional of red winemaking, as well as the most modern and fresh. As you might imagine Flor de Muga is in the latter camp. The grapes are pure Garnacha, taken from various plots, all planted at 600-750 metres high. In addition, the vines are aged between 70-90 years old, so produce fruit of fabulous intensity.

Couple that with the coolness of the vintage and you can imagine the wine's amazing mineral freshness. Using free-run juice, all lees aged for creamy roundness, it's very citrusy with delicate summer berries. "Possibly the finest vintage to date" (WA).

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.