The brief was very simple, to find a range of wines that offer a taste of the classics. Working with our resident in-house experts who have been on the ground scouring the vineyards of Europe, we now have a selection from some of our favourite wine regions. Old friends if you like, good wines to drink now, bottles that show off the best of the region’s character with labels designed by our very own cartoonist Russel Herneman. Some of these are very much the insiders’ choice. We have a Chianti from the tiny but often excellent sub zone of Rufina.

A Sauvignon Blanc from the Coteaux du Giennois, just north of Sancerre and a Rioja from the high-altitude vineyards of Spain’s leading winemaking region. And of course, a Provençal rosé just in time for summer. These are wines to open with friends, share as gifts or simply to enjoy on your table whatever the occasion. They all have our stamp of approval. We hope you like them as much as we do.