Majestic performance

Of course, like all wine retailers they indulge in offers with 20 per cent off here and there and they rely a lot on multibuy offers where you need to buy two bottles of one wine or two from the same country to get the offer price.

But there are no half price offers and there is the general feeling that the wine is actually worth the full price in the first place. Their offers are clear, transparent and they last long enough so you can actually get to the store and buy them. They have nine stores across our region with new stores in Ripon and Wakefield (check www.majestic .co.uk) and even if you don’t live near enough to call in they will deliver a case to your door free.

Admittedly you have to buy by the half-dozen bottles which means that they are not much good if you just need a single bottle to take along to a dinner party, but there is so much choice in each store, with several bottles open for tasting every day of the week that it would be difficult not to find a few wines that you would be happy to take home and drink.

Like all the major retailers, they open a good chunk of their range twice a year to allow us wine hacks the chance to taste their new vintages and new discoveries.

Last week, they opened 150 bottles out of a possible 1,000 so this assessment can only be a snapshot of what they are doing, but if you have not explored your local Majestic I suggest it is time you did, if only to get a copy of their splendid price list which gives you a point of comparison with other retailers.

For the summer season until September 3, Australia, Chile, Italy and New Zealand have favoured nation status and if you buy any two bottles from these ranges you get 20 per cent off, apart from a few wines at the bottom and top of the price range where a 20 per cent discount would significantly affect margins.

Tasting through the New Zealand range, a country which is close to my heart after my long winter-escaping trip there in January, I must highlight The Ned Waihopai River Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (£6.49 on multibuy until 11 June) for its juicy, thirst-quenching, crisp citrus and gooseberry fruit, overlaid with hints of melons and apricots.

It comes from a brand new winery owned by Brent Maris who was the power behind Wither Hills until it was sold to a big corporation. Now his has invested his money in a vast block of vines on ancient glacier beds along the Waihopai River in Marlborough where temperature is just a little warmer and rainfall a little less than in other parts of the region. He has also built the most spectacular winery I have seen in recent years, not because it is stuffed with artwork which is what some winemakers do, but just for its fabulous clean technology and design. If I was a winemaker I would love to work here. The vineyards are patrolled by two peregrine falcons who keep other birds off the grapes.

This is a wine which is well worth its full price of £9.99 but at the offer price you should stock up and drink it all summer.

Also from the same producer is The King’s Favour Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (£9.99 on multibuy) which is more intense and more minerally with a layer of ripe pineapple fruit yet crunchy with zesty acidity. This is dinner party stuff.

If you haven’t enjoyed Riesling for several years you may not know that New Zealand is now making some terrific versions, with aromatic, floral fruit backed by lean acidity and finished with just enough sweetness to balance. The Main Divide Riesling 2010 from Pegasus Bay in Waipara (£9.99 on multibuy) is well worth trying for summer sunshine drinking, especially to partner the aromas and flavours of Thai-based dishes.

Italian whites are always good for summer drinking and while I generally don’t like Pinot Grigio, Majestic has Stella Alpina Pinot Grigio 2011 (£8.79 on multibuy) from Alto Adige which defies my usual tasting notes. This version has light, peachy, melon fruit with crisp acidity and a concentration on the palate which could easily accompany a good fillet of sea bass. More vibrant with notes of crisp stone fruit and cream soda is Vermentino 2011 from Poggioargentiera in Tuscany (£7.99 on multibuy) which could accompany any herb-spiked fish dish or salad.

Among the reds, I was blown away by the chunky spiced plums and figgy flavours of Surani Costarossa 2010 (£7.99 on multibuy), a Primitivo wine from Puglia. This is a wine to partner full-flavoured meats. Australia also does a whole range of reds that can accompany red meat including Wirra Wirra’s Church Block Cabernet Shiraz Merlot 2010 (£9.99 on multibuy) which seems to be back on form. Trade up to Turkey Flat ‘Butcher’s Block’ Shiraz Grenache, Mourvèdre 2010 (£11.99 on multibuy) for a more palate-blowing experience with layers of ripe, dark plummy fruit, layered with spice and chocolate.

For good value head to Chile and Anakena’s Single Vineyard ‘Deu’ Pinot Noir 2011 (£6.99 on multibuy until June 11) from the cool, coastal region of Leyda. This has a lively strawberry-scented nose of pure Pinot and while it has an easy glugging style, it has enough weight and character to partner fish, lamb and pasta.

As a final bargain, do not miss the great value Comte de Lamotte Champagne at just £15. Most bargain champagnes are thin and acidic but this one has body, toast and length and will be perfectly good enough to sip through the summer.