If you’re a long-standing customer who enjoys a drop of decent mature Bordeaux, chances are you’ve heard of Château Ramage La Batisse. If you haven’t, it’s a remarkable cru bourgeois from the Haut-Médoc that’s only a short stroll from First Growth Châteaux Lafite and Mouton Rothschild. Our Bordeaux Buyer Jean-Marc Sauboua has known the family for years and they always give him first refusal on their latest releases. Which is lucky for us – and you – because the family hoard their finest vintages for years, only parting with them when they’re ready to enjoy. This 2015 is supple and approachable now, but will develop over the next few years and maintain peak form for a few after that. Open an hour or two before serving with your Sunday roast.

Sunday Bay is a phenomenon. Kiwi Sauvignon is by far our most popular style, and our range is full of standout examples. So it’s a huge statement that Sunday Bay, year after year, is the one our customers rate highest and re-order most. It's made by an award-winning family winery, who were some of the first pioneers of the Marlborough region. Phil and Chris Rose founded the estate back in 1978, now their five children have joined them, so it's very much a family affair. Their Sunday Bay is a classic Sauvignon. Exuberant grapefruit and grassy nettle character with a bright citrus zip; all the usual Marlborough pizzazz and more. It’s very moreish solo or makes the perfect partner to all sorts of seafood, spicy stir-fry or Thai fish cakes.

Customers invariably ask: "What's Blanc de Blancs Champagne and what makes it so special?" The Champagne region grows three grapes, two red – Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier – and one white ¬– Chardonnay. Blanc de Blancs is made only from Chardonnay and, as Hugh Johnson says, it therefore has "great grace and less weight than traditional Champagne". Laithwaite's is a tip-top example which for years has been expertly created for us by superb cellars in Avize, one of Champagne's finest villages. This particular cuvée is 100% Premier Cru vineyards and was matured for 30 months before release – double the required minimum – to ensure a really luxurious character. Showing complex white blossom, citrus and toasted brioche notes, it has great finesse, a very fine mousse, and the perfect amount of acidity to cut through a range of delicious canapés such as velvety chicken or duck liver parfait.

Once your wine arrives, slow right down. Be patient with this wine and it will reward your handsomely – decant for half an hour and the transformation is magical. Once the juice loosens up and releases its hidden depths, it develops an aroma that is just divine. Discover liquorice, blackcurrant, cherry, blackberry and bitter cocoa mirrored on the palate with turbo-charged punch and power. And the finish? It goes on forever…

Perla del Mar is the white sibling to the tasty Perla Negra. It comes from a special coastal vineyard called La Marina, 35 miles from Alicante. The wine’s delightfully fresh and fruity style is thanks to the grape selection (mainly the fragrant and ‘grapey’ Moscatel), the fact that the vineyards are surrounded by sea to the north, south and east, and, finally, to the modern methods of talented winemaker Pamela Geddes. Having been in charge of sparkling wine production for Seppelt in Australia, she knows all about keeping flavours crisp and fruity in warm climates. Perla del Mar is an elegant, refreshing wine with a vibrant, lime zest core and hints of lychee and other tropical fruits. It’s the archetypal summer apéritif – all year round!

Vintage after vintage, Barón de Barbón proves to be our bestselling Rioja. It’s a lot to do with the wine’s enticing berry aromas, silky texture and luscious flavour. The talent behind this contemporary, fruit driven red is the young and infectiously keen Javier Murúa. His father Julián owns Bodegas Muriel (a winery Julián’s parents established in 1926) in Rioja’s superior Alavesa. We have a fabulous working relationship with the family, ensuring our Buyer Beth goes in straight after vintage and gets first refusal on the finest vats. With its easy going, ripe red berry flavours and fragrant vanilla character, this supple Rioja is great to drink on its own or with simple suppers such as lamb chops, char-grilled vegetable kebabs or chicken.

Late Bottled Vintage Ports are similar to Vintage Ports, but are matured in cask for longer before bottling so that they can be enjoyed earlier - as Vintage Ports often require 20 years of cellaring before they are at their best! Founded in 1845, Andresen is one of the last remaining family-owned Port houses and their LBV is renowned as having concentration and richness to rival even the most expensive Vintage Ports. Sit back and indulge in the ultimate winter warmer.

Introducing Il Papavero – a delicious Italian red showing loads of charisma and style. Blended from the best grapes of the vintage, it offers supple, ripe fruit and easy charm. Only the most flavoursome grapes from the best performing vineyards go into this wine. With fresh and fruity berry aromas and irresistible value, Il Papavero is the perfect match to your favourite pizza or pasta.

Brightwater is from a tiny family estate our Buyer first visited in 2002, having noticed that famous Aussie wine writer James Halliday had reviewed their Sauvignon above Cloudy Bay. Their 2009 was also rated as 5 Stars by top Kiwi wine critic Bob Campbell MW. A classic match with goat's cheese, it's also just the ticket with seafood, especially oysters. Alternatively, enjoy as a refreshing glass on its own.

A charm filled Rioja that makes lovely easy drinking. Hand harvested to select only the ripest Tempranillo grapes from the old vines, the 2020 is complex and elegant with luscious, subtle spice notes and velvety smooth tannins. Bursting with high-spirited summer berries and fragrant vanilla oak, and tinged with the charisma of ripe strawberries for a tantalisingly delicious mouthful. You’ll enjoy the Rioja most when paired with authentic tapas, grilled lamb or rabbit stew.