Stretching along Italy's Adriatic coast, the Abruzzo boasts pretty coastal coves and dramatic landscapes of soaring mountain peaks, deep valleys and ancient castles. The region also offers a range of attractive wines - the creamy, plum filled Montepulciano based reds, citrusy Trebbianos and, most recently, fruity Pinot Grigios. This Pinot Grigio is a new addition to our Farinelli range. The estate proudly champions a traditional trellising system, 'pergola abruzzese', which ensures the grapes receive excellent exposure to the bright sunshine and so gain full ripeness. The result is a lovely balance of bright pear and apple fruit, teamed with minerally zip. It makes an ideal apéritif and goes well with fish, chicken and creamy pasta.

Our scout and buyer for the Languedoc is Mark Hoddy. He's always searching out the vineyards of the Languedoc and further south to the Roussillon, to check out the vintage and the finest parcels of grapes. This is an ace find Mark discovered last vintage via an old friend in Corbières. Close by is Domaine La Lirande, a small estate that enjoyed a great vintage in 2019 and again in 2020 (remember that long, sunny growing season?). The Syrah stood out for quality and, too good to blend, the winemaker kept it solo. Mark reserved the lot in both vintages. Seductive ripe black fruit, velvety, with smoky liquorice and wild herb notes. It's young, so best with hearty dishes and at a barbecue. After a few months, it'll be delicious on its own.

Inviting and complex aromatics welcome you into this wine; brambly, leafy notes backed up by deep dark fruit with subtle spice and char interplay on the nose. There is a deceptive density to this wine's aroma that hints at what lies beyond. The 2016 release builds on that breakthrough style - the wine shows plush generosity but there is a layering of flavours and complexity to this vintage that invites not just a second but third look. Generous, accessible primary fruit sits pretty up front but let the wine breathe and suddenly these dry, fine and lightly chewy tannins build on the back palate, lending a savoury edge to the dark fruit finish of this baby.

One of the benchmarks of Barossa Shiraz, Peter Lehmann's Stonewell is a classic example of the rich concentrated old vine style. While bold on the palate, there is always an inherent complexity to the Stonewell that enables it to be compared with all of the great Australian wines produced today.