Stockist/Retailer: The Co-operative

(2026) One of the long-established names of Argentina, Trapiche, has just released this unoaked, fresh-styled Malbec exclusively for the Co-op. It is also Fairtrade certified. Malbec can take oak ageing well and often produces big, powerful wines, but the variety also has a highly aromatic side, and this wine is more of an expression of that. Violet, cherry and plum aromas are succulent and ripe, with the fruit on the palate juicy and in the black spectrum, mainly cassis and blueberry. The tannins are quite firm and the acidity has a sour cherry tartness that balances nicely. A good one if you are firing up the barbie for some beef skewers or burgers. Watch the video for more information.

(2026) The 2025 edition of this pink Rioja blends 80% Garnacha and 20% Viura from vineyards at 550 to 770 metres altitude. There's a confectionery note to this peachy-pink, pale wine. In the mouth there is sweetness and a creamy texture, a modest total acidity of 5.85g/l meaning it has freshness and bite, but is in the easier drinking, fruity style.

(2026) There's no doubting the imitation as a form of flattery here. This Angel doesn't whisper, but it does provide a very nice drop of crisp, fruity and refreshing pink from the South of France at a modest price. There's scant information out there about this brand, but I believe this is a blend of Grenache, Merlot and Syrah. It has a fashionably pale, peach-toned, light pink colour, and the nose is summery and delicate, with strawberry bon-bon and a hint of nectarine. On the palate the juicy fruit is pure and upfront, the acidity well-balanced, and the overall picture attractive. Though it’s the understudy, you may not even notice that the famous whispering star is not on stage... Watch the video for more information.

(2026) Spring and early summer is definitely peak Muscadet season. These crisp and usually low-ish alcohol whites (this one is only 11% abv) suit the season's asparagus, pea-shoots and leafy herbs so well. This comes from Calvet, a large operation originally based in Bordeaux but now making wine across France. The grape is Melon de Bourgogne from the Western Loire Valley's schist, granite soils, and the aromas are of lemon, green herbs and just hints of Ogen melon, maybe even a suggestion of something more tropical. Time on the lees has given texture in the mouth, and despite the lowly alcohol plenty of fruity ripeness, juicy apple running into citrus sprinkled with a touch of salt. Watch the video for more information.

(2025) An elegant Chardonnay blended from vineyards in various Australian regions, this is delicately oaked and weighs in with just 12.5% alcohol. Immediately attractive on the nose with its sheen of almond or oatmeal over peachy fruit hinting at apricot, the palate follows through with charming, easy-drinking fruit sweetness. The lemon jelly acidity and touch of creamy oak makes for a pleasing, well-balanced finish. Watch the video for more information.

(2024) Unusually this is made from 100% Macabeo, one of the three main grapes of traditional Cava, and normally part of a three-way blend. You know, at £7.50 there is absolutely nothing to complain about here: it's is a touch nutty, apple and lemon fruited, with a firm mousse and a nicely balanced and dry finish. Modest bangs for small bucks.

(2024) Ramón Bilbao's pink Rioja is a blend of 80% Garnacha and 20% Viura, coming from specially selected vineyards planted at between 550 and 770 metres altitude. Medium pale with a peachy hue, lots of confectionery and estery notes, hints of banana, orange and exotic fruit. In the mouth the wine is dry, quite pithy lemon fruit and acidity dominate at first, though it has a clean watermelon lightness and sour plum freshness. Quite fruity, but delicate.

(2024) From a vineyard at 480 metres, one of the highest in the Clare Valley,there's petrol and beeswax in the aromatic mix here, as well as cool and pristine limey fruit. I really enjoyed the very dry, shimmering citrus and cool, crisp apple crunch of this, the finish showing a little salts and spice.

(2023) CVNE and their Cune brand are very well known for their high quality red Rioja wines. The rosado is 100% Tempranillo, made in an approximate Provençal style, perhaps with a touch more body and ripeness, but a pale colour and fresh character. Strawberry and cherry-lips confectionery notes lead the way, the palate fruity and peachy, but all the time the balance is good, perhaps the merest hint of sweetness balanced by acidity in the easy-drinking, but gastronomic finish. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.

(2022) A label of the Hill-Smith Family, who are also behind Yalumba and Pewsey Vale among other brands, I enjoyed the previous vintage of this in its forthright style. This follows on very successfully. Rioja's great grape interpreted without oak influence and fermented with wild yeasts indigenous to the vineyards, it has a touch of coal dust and Indian ink on the nose, over cranberry, cinnamon and black cherry. In the mouth there's good balance between the fruit, grippy tannins and acidity for a fine barbecue staple at £8 in Tesco, £9 in the Co-op at time of review. Watch the video for more information and food-matching ideas.