Just a touch of sugar adds to the feeling of ripe juicy greengage, melon and peach in this gently mouthfilling pinot blanc, with a ripple of racy acidity and white flowers bringing a spring-like feel.

A textbook example of viognier from the versatile winemaker Jean-Claude Mas, with all the variety’s alluring apricot and honeysuckle aromas and a ripe, full, but not at all overbearing palate.

One of Argentina’s most reliable winemaking labels, Viñalba produces excellent malbec in both southern Patagonia and, as here, in the Andean Uco Valley in Mendoza: rich, velvety, dark-berried and rewarding.

Beautifully judged modern Australian chardonnay that offers waves of luminous ripe golden apple and restrained nutty oak, with the necessary balancing lively acidity to work with creamy pasta dishes.

Many of us who came of wine-drinking age in the 1990s and 2000s will have a soothing nostalgic soft spot for the crème de cassis, mint and smooth richness of Chilean cabernets, such as this beautifully judged example.

Syrah plays the main part in a blend with grenache in this classic southern French red blend, which has notes of liquorice, dark brambly berry fruit and pepper, and matches so well with equally comforting roasts and stews.