A bevy of wines on form

2008 Cotes de Gascogne Cuvee Marine, Domaine de Menard

Pithy grapefruit allied to shell-like, chalky minerality gives this Gascon some real steel

2008 Rueda Pindal, Bodegas Torres Manur

A pleasant citric fruit cocktail with sherbet finish.

2009 Elgin Ridge Sauvignon Blanc

Dry, almost granular, Sauvignon, with stony fruit and lemon waved near a grater

2008 Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh sec, Domaine Berthoumieu

Vinous but not heavy with notes of pears poached in white wine as well as pearskin and a hint of cloves on the finish

2007 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore San Lorenzo

Mature apple aromas mixed with toasted almonds, pastry and ginger

2008 Anjou Blanc, Domaine Rene Mosse

Wild honey, fleshy apricots, quince paste and woodspice. Once the wine warmed up in the glass it developed secondary nutty aromatics and layer after layer of rich flavour.

2007 Macon-Villages, Domaine Valette

Intense, vibrant Macon with fresh apple-and-cucumber-cream freshness and some lambent lemon acidity

2007 Saint-Romain Blanc Combe Bazin, Domaine de Chassorney

Beautiful lemon-yellow colour, honeyed fruit, toasted hazelnuts, marzipan and that classic cool-climate citric zipper to keep it all in check

Red

2006 Faugeres, Clos Fantine

Very, very naughty. The bret is strong with you, Skywalker. Captivating aromas of undergrowth, roast meat, tobacco and peppercorns. Utterly satisfying.

2008 Lard des Choix Rouge, Les Champs Libres

Another murky porker rootling in the garrigue. Hazy red with fruit cola notes and brilliant lift of pepper and spice on the finish. Pop the lamb chops on the grill and put this in the fridge to chill

2008 Afros, Vinho Verde Tinto

A pukka puckerer. Black as a Siberian coalmine in midwinter, plum-skin astringency, defiantly tart finish. Chargrilled sardines please.

2008 Pivoine, Domaine du Moulin

The tannin is strong with this one, Skywalker. Purple-coloured Cot with a bitter-cherry bite and toothsome crunch. Good bloody stuff as well as bloody good stuff

2001 Cahors Clos de Gamot

The other Malbec. One could almost describe this as a relaxed wine. Fennel, menthol, tea-chest, dried mint and peppercorn, joyously fresh with the merest drag of tannin. Length, purpose and sublime subtlety.

2005 Moristel, Bodegas Pirineos

Or not to be confused with Monastrell as it is known. Smooth red, vanillins plumbed in nicely, with some refreshing citrus notes on the finish. Good value.

2008 Minervois, Mais Ou est Donc Ornicar, Jean-Baptiste Senat

Buxom yet well-bred Minervois with velvety meat-and-beet fruit flavours and a whiff of tar and roast herbs.

2008 Clos du Gravillas Sous les Cailloux des Grillons

Immensely likeable red delivering the goods time and again. Carignan plus five cohorts integrate effortlessly to make a wine that is both juicy and savoury.

2008 Coteaux du Loir Rouge, Patapon, Domaine Le Briseau

Who could fail to be charmed by the clown on the label? Mainly Pineau d’Aunis, soft red fruits dusted with white pepper, very fresh finish.

2007 Monte de Grazia Rosso

Thoroughly nourishing dark red wine made from Tintore di Tramonti and Piedirosso. Damson fruits bursting out of their skin, cocoa, dry spices.

2008 Tankadeddu Rosso, AA Panevino

There are only two words for this: delish-oos! Natural, unfiltered wine with nose of fruits-in-alcohol and wonderful freshness.