The best wines to buy this week | Alistair Gibson

So here are three wines this week, which took me a little bit by surprise and one in particular which perhaps challenged my preconceived views.

Wine boxes have never had a great reputation and if I’m honest they do not appear very often in my preview tastings and so Bruce Jack Chenin Blanc, South Africa (Tesco 1.5l, £13 ) was a very pleasant surprise indeed.

To be fair there is no doubt that the quality of wine boxes has improved significantly over the last few years but what makes this wine really stand out is that not only is the wine good but the whole package has been put together with the environment in mind and is completely recyclable. The wine itself is a simple crowd-pleaser, which is exactly what is should be, there are ripe pears and a little cinnamon on the nose, followed by a juicy palate with more pear and some nice refreshing green apple acidity.

Easy to keep in the fridge, it is very food friendly and would work well with quiche, a Caesar salad or a mild curry.

Albariño is such a fashionable grape right now but how about sparkling Albariño? Mar de Frades Brut Nature, Rias Baixas (greatwine.co.uk £27, noblegreenwines.co.uk £26 ) is the first traditional method sparkling wine to be made from Albariño and it is definitely more than just a novelty wine. There is a constant stream of small bubbles, the nose shows orchard fruits and citrus as well as a little apricot blossom, this follows onto the palate along with a little salinity and a really fresh, dry finish.

The bottle is very striking, complete with a ship incorporated into the label which appears when the correct serving temperature is reached. Perfect with a plate of fresh oysters or simple seafood.

Grand Ardèche Chardonnay 2018, Louis Latour (Majestic £13.99 or £11.99 as part of a mixed six ) is certainly not a new wine but may well be one of those wines that gets completely overlooked. Produced by one of Burgundy’s most well known producers in the Ardèche region of France, this is a very good and cheaper alternative to the ever spiralling price of white Burgundy. Aged in oak barrels for around 10 months, this has aromas of apple, melon, citrus and vanilla, the palate has some weight but is really nicely balanced with a really long, layered finish.

This very grown-up wine has more than enough depth to partner fish or chicken in a creamy sauce.