Graben Gritsch Trocken Gruner Veltliner 2013

From - Wachau, Austria
Grape - Gruner Veltliner
Alcohol - 12.5%
From - austrianwinesandspirits.co.uk (Suffolk-based!)
Price - £14.99

Appearance - This white wine is clean, dry, pale and lemon-green.

Nose - The nose is clean and youthful, with a medium intensity and green fruit (pears), stone fruit (peaches) and a touch of stone minerality.

Palate - The palate is dry, with high acidity, medium body, medium alcohol, medium intensity and medium plus length.  There are flavours of green fruit (apples and pears), citrus (lime), and stone minerality.

Very good quality.  Drink now, not suitable for ageing.

A very nice example of Gruner Veltliner, Austria's big grape.  This is just the thing for an aperitif, It has good length and due to its quality and elegance, I would recommend a half-hour out of the fridge prior to drinking, which enhances the richness and subtle flavours.

Terredora Falanghina 2013

From - Campania, Italy
Grape - Falanghina
Alcohol - 13% abv
Available from - Majestic
Price - £11.99 (or £8.99 as part of a multi buy)

Appearance - Clean, lemon-green, medium intensity

Nose - Clean, medium- intensity, youthful, green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon),

Palate - Dry, medium+ acid, medium intensity, medium+ alcohol, medium+ body, medium length.  Green fruit (apple), citrus (lemon & lime), tropical fruit (kiwi, papaya).

An agreeable, fruity, refreshing wine with subtle complexity.  It has been lees aged, which influences the palate, but only just a touch.

Jip Jip Rocks Shiraz 2012

From - South Australia
Grape - Shiraz
Alcohol - 14.5%
Available from - Waitrose
Price - £10.99 (but £8.79 until 12 May)

Appearance - Clean, with deep ruby colour.  Legs observed

Nose - Clean, medium+ intensity, youthful.  Blackberry and black pepper.

Palate - Dry, medium acid, medium+ tannin, medium+ intensity, medium+ length, full body.  Black fruit (blackberry), red fruit (raspberry), spice (black pepper)

Very good quality, can drink now but potential for ageing.

I tried this based on a colleague recommendation.  I can see why he is such a fan.  Lots of body, plenty of length, smooth, with ripe tannins.  An absolute steal at the moment.  If you like to age wines (and I do), this would be a candidate.  Otherwise, consider matching this with a weighty and savoury dinner.