Karnataka

St. Urbans-Hof Riesling, Germany, 2007

Amongst the oldest vineyards in Europe, the steep, vine-covered slopes leading down to Germany’s Mosel river produce some of the most famous and long-lived white wines in the world. They are also considered by many as among the most physically beautiful.

The Weis family, owners of St. Urbans-hof (‘St Urban’ being patron saint of German wine, and ‘hof’ meaning estate) own small parcels of a number of these vineyards and have done so for many generations.

Currently in charge is Nik Weis, who has taken the winery to a new level, becoming one of Germany’s most celebrated young producers. He can often be seen toiling along the steeper slopes of his vineyards with a hand plough, where tractors fear to go.

Crisp, yet mineral rich with bags of citrus zest, honey-blossom and subtle hints of the telltale Riesling petrol nose mark this is as a superb example of this most aristocratic white grape variety.

With its balance of sweetness and high acidity, this is a wine for eastern food, and will pair with many lighter European, Indian, and especially Thai dishes – however it is also a joy to drink chilled, and on its own.

Hunter’s Pinot Noir, New Zealand, 2006

It is not often you find a wine-maker in the Queen’s honours list, and unsurprisingly Jane Hunter’s OBE is only one of a multitude of accolades amassed by this talented and notoriously independent minded wine-personality and viticulturalist.

At the same time as vigorously working to promote New Zealand’s Marlborough region on the world stage, Hunter’s has also developed a wine-making style which has been much copied in Marlborough itself and further afield.

Hunter’s Pinot Noir is the classic Marlborough Pinot: packed with new world fruit – cherries, plums and hints of raspberry – while also displaying the elegance and structure found in Burgundy, the Pinot Noir grape’s old world home.

Three years of bottle age have lent the wine an added layer of concentrated dark fruits including raisins and dried plums, making this wine ideal for gamey meats, tandoors and fine cheeses.

Tapestry Shiraz, Australia, 2006

Australia’s fame for its mighty, bold Shiraz based wines is almost entirely thanks to a small part of the State of South Australia, East of the city of Adelaide, which the tourist brochures say boasts the combination of a maritime Mediterranean climate, and the intensity of the Australian Sun.

Perhaps the most famous valley in this region is the Barossa, however, while the Barossa valley commands the prices and prestige, it is very often outstripped by its elegant and quietly brilliant cousin to the south, the Mclaren Vale.

True to Australian style, and doubly typical of Mclaren Vale winemakers, Tapestry’s Jonathan Ketley has a rare talent for producing exceptional, multiple award winning wines with no fanfare or fuss.

His Tapestry Shiraz shows the finest of Mclaren Vale: Blackberrys, dark cherries undercut by intense leather and plum, layered through with heady spices and hints of dark chocolate. A big wine, great on its own, but better still with barbecues and tandooris