‘Plenty of character at the price,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, summarising why Ponte del Diavolo kicks off the Golds in this fascinating category. ‘Attractive fruit, lightly honeyed on the nose,' he continued, saying: 'Good fruit flavours with notes of stewed apple and spice.’ 'Asparagus, lemon, grapefruit and flint on a well-balanced, medium body,' added Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Match with oysters.

£7.30 Liberty Wines

A complex array of flavours scored Gold for Attems. 'Ripe green fruits, nice florality and a shot of minerality,' said Louise Gordon of Lime Wood Hotel. ‘Intriguing flavours of herbs and peppermint,’ said team leader Richard Bampfield MW, adding: ‘Really distinctive, like a dry vermouth.’ ‘Lively wine with great balance of fruit and acidity, and pleasing mouthfeel,’ added Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering. Perfect with Asian food.

£13.30 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

A tantalising blend of Chardonnay, Friulano and Sauvignon Blanc that team leader Richard Bampfield MW described as: 'Intense, deeply coloured. Toasty, like a mature Hunter Valley Semillon, with honeyed notes. Complex and really exciting.' 'Apricot jam, orange and hints of lime on the nose. Match with seared scallops or sushi,' said Louise Gordon of LIme Wood Hotel.

£22.93 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel was impressed with this example: ‘Complex nose with yeast hints, followed by rich, rounded flavours with traces of oak and butter to support the fruit structure.’ Match with goats' cheese with honey.

£18.44 Eurowines

'Aromatic, with a pleasant nose of lime blossom, citrusy character and light saline nautical minerality on the palate, with great texture, oiliness and waxy length,' said team leader Olivier Marie. 'Subtle nose, but full of fresh, intense fruit and minerality on the palate,' agreed Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel. Arguably too youthful, we'd love to see it again in a few years.

£18.44 Eurowines

‘Fresh and fruity but with a lovely complexity,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘Has a touch of bitterness and a slightly liquorice mouthfeel. Lovely.’ Team leader Richard Bampfield MW said: ‘Oaked, but gloriously so. Full of flavour with lovely balance.’

£18.44 Eurowines

‘Honey and lemon zest on a very fresh nose,’ began team leader Richard Bampfield MW, continuing: ‘Good intensity of flavour and lovely texture, making it food-friendly. Dry, compelling finish.’ Try with Thai.

£16.95 Bibendum

‘Clean and open, with fresh fruit character,’ began team leader Olivier Marie, continuing: ‘Apple and pear notes with white flowers, honeysuckle. Candied fruits with dried nuts and candied lemon. Great minerality, if high alcohol.’ 'Complex and young, but harmonic, to drink or to keep,' added Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel. Match with sea bream with samphire.

£30.43 Enotria&Coe

‘Lots of zingy fruit, fills the mouth and develops well, with an appealing intensity of flavour,’ said Richard Brooks of Caroline Catering, adding: ‘A food wine of broad appeal.’

£11.32 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

‘Nice and clean, with crisp, lively fruit aromas. Lemony acidity, candied lemon fruit, pear and apple on the palate, alongside herbal notes with a hint of tarragon,’ noted team leader Olivier Marie.

£6.52 Berkmann Wine Cellars

‘Interesting nose, with floral notes that carry on to the palate, followed by an intense mineral finish,’ said Jonathan Kleeman of The Ritz Hotel, with Vittorio Gentile of Theo Randall at The InterContinental Hotel adding: ‘Very mineral, Pouilly-Fumé-like style, with body and a long finish.’

£12.90 Alivini

£5.75 Boutinot

£13.62 Eurowines

£10.56 Enotria&Coe