The five-strong line-up has been chosen from an extensive tasting of samples from the Club’s suppliers, who were asked to put forward wines that were affordable and refreshing, taking in the classic regions of the world, as well as popular grape varieties. Such was the quantity of bottles, that the final seasonal selection was made over the course of two tastings which, as always, were done from bagged bottles, so the tasters could not see what they were assessing. Having agreed upon a set of favourites, we then removed the ‘blind bags’ and, where there was varietal or regional duplication, we chose the top performer. 

With this exercise completed – which I have outlined to stress that there is no bias in our approach – I’m delighted to say that the Club is now serving a really good, dry Riesling (£28.50/bottle). Made by Pikes in Australia’s Clare Valley, and featuring the predatory fish on its label, this is a ripe and peachy style of Riesling but retains the grape’s classic lime-fresh finish. 

Another one of the summer selections has distinctive packaging: Cutuzzi (£39/bottle) is an Italian white from Feudi di Gregorio and comes in a ribbed glass bottle. It is made from the Greco grape grown on Campania’s volcanic soils near Mount Vesuvius, and features flavours of ripe orchard fruits, juicy lemon and a hint of bitter almond. 

Responding to requests from some members for an especially refreshing style of Sauvignon Blanc, we now have a really crisp version of this grape that’s packed with crunchy green capsicum characters and plenty of fresh citrus. It’s made by respected South African producer, Anthony Hamilton Russell, from vineyards in Walker Bay, and named after the Southern Right whales in the nearby Atlantic (£30/bottle). 

Such was the success of last summer’s Saint-Véran that we’ve found another from this region in Burgundy, which abuts Pouilly-Fuissé. Like its famous neighbour, our new Saint-Véran is a creamy-fresh Chardonnay with notes of pear and melon, as well as a touch of tangy grapefruit to make you salivate (£38/bottle). 

This producer’s Muscadet is a delicious mix of peach and lemon, complemented by a subtle, more mature note of honey-covered brown bread

Finally, I’m particularly pleased that we’ve managed to find a first-rate Muscadet (£31.50/bottle). An unfashionable and therefore good-value source of zesty whites, not many bottles deliver as much appeal for the price as this example from Domaine Bruno Cormerais. Using only old vines of the Melon de Bourgogne grape, and releasing his wines with a little age, this producer’s Muscadet is a delicious mix of peach and lemon, complemented by a subtle, more mature note of honey-covered brown bread. 

Please try all these summery whites – be it by the glass or bottle – and those that sell the best may stay on the list so they can be enjoyed whatever the season.

PATRICK SCHMITT, CHAIR, WINE WORKING GROUP