Vidal White Series Chardonnay 2012, £10.49, nzhouseofwine.co.uk, Whalley Wine Shop, some independents

The first of two Kiwi wines this week starting with a grape New Zealand isn’t well known for, Chardonnay.

The country’s cooler climate makes this one more appealing than many with grapefruit and other citrus flavours and an almost nutty feel.

It’s not cheap but it is very pleasantly and interestingly different.

Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir 2012, £12.99, Budgens, Co-op, winedirect.co.uk

There cannot be many wine drinkers who haven’t tasted Villa Maria’s hugely popular Sauvignon Blancs – well here’s a red that’s equally sumptuous.

It’s also from New Zealand’s famed Marlborough region which also has a fast-growing reputation for delicious Pinot Noir.

Lovely ripe black cherry flavours.