You’ve probably heard of ‘Super Tuscan’ wines (red wines from Tuscany which often include both local and international grapes varieties in the blend). Well, this is the concept behind this new Sicilian star. Winemaker Domenico De Gregorio (known as Mimmo to his friends) calls it a ‘Super Sicilian’. He has taken local charmer Perricone and blended it with dark berry-spiced Syrah and ripe red plum Merlot. The result? A juicy, berry-intense red with a soft, mouth-coating texture. Capturing the warm heart of Sicily, it’s so good, Mimmo put his name on it! Silky-smooth, it’s great to savour slowly on its own. Or why not pair with some delicious Sicilian classics, such as arancini or pasta alla norma (with aubergine), for the best experience?

The estate was started in 1955. Patrick and Christophe Bonnefond now control 65 acres in northern Rhone of which 18 acres is in Cote Rotie. Colline du Couzou comes from an assemblage of plots in the north and south of the Cote Rotie appellation. The fruit is 80% dedstemmed and consists of 95% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. The wine is aged in small barrels for 18 months.

Clear. pink reflective colour. Citrus and white floer aromas on the nose with mild spicess. In the mouth, the attack is elegant, reminding you of Mediterranean flavours. the fruit is well combined with minerality, espressing softly before a perfectly full finish. Suggested pairings: A fresh summer salad of lobster; crayfish in saffron; freshly made Gariguette strawberry zabaglione.

With a deep purple-red color, this Syrah delivers delicate aromas of black and red wild berries. On the palate, it also reveals floral hints of violet. This cuvée is appreciated for both its finesse and its crunchiness.

This luscious red comes from Zuccardi - an outstanding, third generation family cellar founded in the 1960s by Don Alberto Zuccardi. A decade before, he'd started an irrigation company, then planted a vineyard to demonstrate to other producers how his system could benefit grape quality. The rest, as they say, is history, and Zuccardi have become one of the leading cellars in Mendoza. Today his grandson Sebastián is winemaker, assisted by Rubén Ruffo. This is a silky, elegant red, with Syrah adding spicy red fruits and structure to Malbec's darker velvety berry notes. Recommended with chilli, a beef stir-fry or on its own.

Deep red with a bright purple edge, Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 has an incredibly inviting fragrance of dark cherry, raspberry, vanilla and allspice. The palate is immediately fullflavoured; a celebration of fresh boysenberry, blueberry, mocha and fine tannin that extends to a long and satisfying finish. With an exquisite level of detail and finesse, Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 is the perfect addition to any occasion. Estate Vineyards Syrah '18 was harvested between 19 March and 17 April 2018 from Te Mata Estate's own vineyards in Hawke's Bay's Bridge Pa and Woodthorpe Terraces Triangle sub-regions. The individual parcels of syrah from each plot were destemmed for fermentation and remained on skins for extended maceration before pressing. It was then run off to a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels for five months' maturation, during which time it was regularly topped and racked. The wine received a traditional egg white fining before bottling. Established in 1896, Te Mata Estate remains family owned, producing internationally recognized wines exclusively from its Hawkes Bay vineyards. A temperate maritime climate with low rainfall, due to the rain shadow from mountains to the west, ensures Te Matas sites make the most of every vintage. At the heart of Te Mata Estate are the Havelock Hills Vineyards - the first legally-protected vineyards in New Zealand. Te Mata has five sites on these free draining, north-facing slopes. Soils to the east are mostly sandy loam over a sandstone base, and towards the west are sandy loam over a thin layer of clay and a silica pan. The distinctive shape of the hills is due to their comparative youth, in geological terms. At the meeting point of two tectonic plates, sandstone has been pushed up then worn away relatively quickly leaving a landscape of steep and gentle slopes, and terraces ideal for grape-growing. Under vine for over 120 years, and including some of the oldest grape growing sites in New Zealand, the Havelock Hills are protected for their distinct character, special ambience and unique viticultural heritage.

PIERRE JEAN VILLA Esprit d'Antan Syrah, Collines Rhodanienn