Château Vartely Dealu Nucului Merlot (187ml) 2018

Head east from Bordeaux (home to the famous First Growths like Lafite) and you’ve smart, pricey Burgundy. Go further east and, on the same 46 to 47 degree latitude, you’ll eventually find an equally hallowed tradition of wine excellence in Moldova. Before the 1917 Revolution the region supplied fine reds to the Tsars for lavish banquets. Now Moldova is a nearly forgotten winemaker’s Eden, with wine quality and value that’s “aching to find its way to the world’s wine drinkers” (FT). But strife in neighbouring Ukraine has hit wine exports and threatens a centuries’ old way of life. Help protect that tradition by enjoying this luscious, barrel matured Merlot. Available in a taster size, it's provides the ideal lunchtime glass.