Juan Gil Pedrera Jumilla Monastrell 2005, Spain

Spain is currently enjoying a major renaissance as regards recognition of its rightful place as a producer of great wines. This beauty hails from south east Spain just inland from the Mediterranean. Monastrell (in France it is called Mourvèdre) produces deeply extracted reds with a haunting perfume to lighten its 'meatiness'. This deeply coloured effort starts with enticing black cherry and mocha aromas. The intense palate features black cherries and other dark berry flavors with a bit of licorice and spice. A winner!

Laroche Viognier VDP Beziers 2006, France

Viognier is suddenly all the rage, and no surprise since it lacks the "obvious" side of Chardonnay and yet abides by wine’s first commandment – to refresh. The Laroche Viognier 2006 is a delightful wine highlighting the ideal vintage of cool spring and a very warm July leading to an early harvest. A delicate nose with hints of elderflower and gunflint. It is rich and feels tender ripe in the mouth, a mineral persistence with vivacious and refreshing finish. Best served chilled around 10°- 12°. It matches well with a smoked fish pâté or roast vegetables.

Bouvet-Ladubay Brut Non Vintage, France

The Loire Valley is France’s largest wine region; its extraordinary terroir, gifted by low rainfall and a unique soil of tuffeau, is home to one of the world’s premium wines. A true delight, this sparkler produced by the 'Methode Traditionelle', will cheer any occasion, and will quickly make you forget the prices and disappointments that Champagne can offer. The mousse is a bright yellow in colour with green highlights; it has a dominant fruity bouquet and fine persistent bubbles with white flowery aromas of honeysuckle & acacia. On the palate it leaves a subtle floral taste and a brisk refreshing finish. Bravo!

Chinon Rouge 2006, France

The Chinon vineyards are spread over 1850 hectares on both sides of the Vienne River, stretching towards the Loire. The land is clayey – flinty or gravel and sand which translates into a ruby red wine with a bouquet of red berries, violet, peony and bayleaf. The wines remain in the fermentation vat 6 to 12 days according to the vintage before being packaged into a traditional burgundy shaped bottle. It is well-balanced with soft tannins and idyllically paired with red meats like lamb kebabs.

Cotes Du Rhone Gabrielle Meffre – "les Pierres Brisseurs" 2005, France

Jean-Pierre Mouiex wines carry an awesome pedigree, since they are the owners of Chateau Petrus – the most expensive and reference point for Bordeaux wines. This wine retails in India for Rs. 75,000 per bottle in the finer years – and that is before our excruciating taxes! This commitment and passion for excellence permeates their entire wine portfolio, and similar care and attention is given to their other wines – which are a best-kept secret for many connoisseurs. Under the direction of Jean-Pierre’s son, Christian, and their oenologist, Jean Claude Berrouet, these wines receive the care of a pampered child. Being a blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Franc, the Merlot provides fruitiness and velvet with the Cabernet Franc providing structure and elegance. This wine exudes fresh, plummy stone fruit and blackberry flavours which carry into notes of herbs, earth and restrained oak on the bright, balanced palate which is supported by firm acidity and ripe tannins. The 2003 was historically hot in the Bordeaux region, with one of the earliest harvests in living memory. As a result, the wine is full-bodied, extracted and prime for early drinking – a true Bordeaux lover’s vintage.