2015 Main Divide Riesling, (12.5%vol. )
From Pegasus Bay, Waipara, North Canterbury in the South Island of New Zealand, an exquisite Riesling of real class. It’s rich and ripe thanks to late harvesting and light and refreshing thanks to gentle, minimalist winemaking. A small proportion of botrytised grapes give the wine a baked apple, honeyed note and the lightest of light prickles simply add to the freshness. If ever there was a charming summer aperitif this is it.
Majestic, £10.99 (if you mix 6)
2018 Bee Pink, (12.5%vol. )
An utterly glorious Côtes du Roussillon rosé from the rising star of the region: Domaine of the Bee. It’s the pales of pale pinks and blended largely from juicy, succulent Grenache with just a hint of spicy Syrah to lift it. I absolutely lapped it up as I did their Grenache Blanc/Gris and Roussanne 2018 Field of the Bee Blanc (£15) and their flagship red, the stunning, rich, concentrated Grenache/Carignan blend that is the 2017 Domaine of the Bee (£25).
www.domaineofthebee.com, £15
Graham’s Blend No.5 White Port, (19%vol. )
Ooh goodness, this is good! I now know what Tiggers like, if not for breakfast at least for elevenses. The perfect preprandial now that summer is finally here, a brand new white port from one of the Douro Valley’s most celebrated names presented in a rather jolly Antonio Soares-designed bottle. Spot on when served on its own well chilled, it also makes a fine Porto Tonico when mixed half and half with fine tonic served over ice with a slice of lemon and sprig of mint.
Whisky Exchange, £24.99