Let’s go back in time! To the 1st century AD and vineyards planted to serve the ruling elite at the thriving Roman port of Troia. Here, on Portugal’s windswept Atlantic coast, the only grape that thrives in the dry, sandy soils and super-hot sun is local star Castelão. This small, dark-skinned grape boasts fathomless depths of flavour – if you know how to unlock it.

Back to today and enter Gold-medal maestro Jaime Quendera at Portugal’s most awarded winery, Casa Ermelinda Freitas. Only made in the best years, this Black Red flies of our shelves as soon as it's in stock. So our advice is: if you see it, buy it! Rippling with ripe plums, black fruits and laced with chocolate, with a spicy oak finish. At 14.5% it’s got power, so sip slowly.

Opi Sadler has brought us the customer favourite ‘Waxed Bat’, now he presents the ‘Big Bat’. If you didn’t think a wine could get any richer, silkier and packed with luxurious layers of flavour, you were mistaken. But then, Opi is one of Argentina’s most internationally renowned winemakers and he adores the Cabernet Sauvignon grape.

To achieve such an ageworthy perfection, he selected grapes from the finest, high-altitude vineyards in Altamira, Uco Valley, ageing this grand red for 18 months in French oak barrels. This lends a spicy edge to the rich black fruits. Opi states that Argentina makes "undoubtedly the best Cabernet wines in the world". A big statement, but judging by this wine, he may well be right. An elegant, mature steak red.

If you’re looking for a wine with the richness and complexity of a white Châteauneuf, but at a much more appealing price tag, Blanc Neuf is the perfect choice. Rich, exotic and mouthfilling, it’s a careful blend of Viognier, Marsanne and Roussanne courtesy of the Bonfils family, one of the leading names in southern France. With nearly 150 years of local expertise, the family have built a solid reputation for crafting top quality, good value wines. Blanc Neuf is sure proof. Their use of these Rhône varieties produces a rounded, creamy spice and ripe fruit white, reminiscent of a Châteauneuf Blanc. Displaying lively apricot flavours with a hint of hazelnut on the finish, it's richly layered and citrusy. Ideal with creamy chicken or salmon.

Strawberry and apple aromas spring from the glass. It’s made by the doyen of Portuguese wine, José Neiva. As Tim Atkin MW pointed out, “the Portuguese wine revolution wouldn’t have happened without him”.

Over the last decade, José’s cellar has won more awards than any other, with wines offering “ripe, accessible fruit, lush textures and good concentration, all at very affordable prices” (Jamie Goode).

In this mouthwatering pink he uses ripe, juicy Touriga Nacional for its unmatchable summer fruit character.

Perfect for picnics, with cold meats, chicken, veggie kebabs and so much more.

Cabalié's popularity is down to a rare combination of imposing richness and easy drinking smoothness. Recreating that in white was no easy task. But Cabalié maestro Hervé Sabardeil has done it – years of searching, blending and hard work come to fruition in this, his ultimate expression of a southern French white. The magical grape mix is old-vine Viognier for intense honeysuckle aroma and soft texture, Muscat for dazzling grapey notes, and Colombard to keep it all zesty. And of course the other key ingredients are bright southern French sunshine, which ripens the grapes to perfection, sea breezes to keep them healthy and night harvesting to ensure maximum freshness. Bursting with tropical fruit, Cabalié is perfect with seafood or chicken.

It’s from Primicia, a bodega adored by customers and also by fine wine guru Robert Parker. He is full of praise for their fruity, modern Riojas.

Classic Rioja fans will love this red, with all its moreish, silky, ripe berry fruit tempered by toasty spice. No wonder the late Spanish expert John Radford listed Primicia among his top 20 Rioja bodegas. It’s a family estate, founded by three brothers, and has over the years won many awards. This 2021 is made from 100% strawberry-scented Tempranillo, from mature, low-yielding vineyards.

Winemaker Fernando Domingo matured the wine in American oak barrels for four months – just enough to flatter the fruit with gentle toasty spice and hints of vanilla, while letting plenty of exuberant, youthful fruit character shine through. A delight on its own, this wine is spot on with garlic chicken, lamb chops with rosemary or a selection of tapas.