By country
ArgentinaArgentina has long played second fiddle to Chile in terms of exports, but Argentinian wine has fast become a hugely popular player on the international stage. Her signature grape variety is without a doubt Malbec, which produces seductive, full-bodied reds packed with spicy fruit, many of which are capable of ageing spectacularly. Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, the aromatic, fruity Torrontés and Chardonnay, amongst others, also flourish here. Much of Argentina is very dry and hot, but the altitude at which many of the country's vineyards are settled is quite high, therefore allowing grapes of a high quality to be grown. The snow melt from the Andes provides much of Argentina's vineyard with the water needed, and recent investment in irrigation systems has allowed this to be far more carefully regulated than previously. This wonderful country, home to the passionate Tango and producer of some of the best beef in the world, has a lot to be proud of, not least its increasingly impressive range of wines. There are 9 products in this category.
AustraliaNo-one can deny that Australia dramatically changed the face of the wine business in the UK. When I arrived in the UK 15 years ago, the wine market was divided. On the one hand there were expensive fine Clarets, Burgundies and Italian wines, and on the other there were the few wines that supermarkets had on offer. In due course, wines from the New World started to fill the supermarket shelves. These wines had modern presentations, were well explained, with the grape variety on the label and, most importantly, were approachable, fruit-driven wines ready to be enjoyed without fuss or snobbery. Australia can take a great deal of the credit for this, having attracted a new, younger type of wine drinker who can afford to drink quality wine regularly without breaking the bank. This input by Australian winemakers was felt across the globe, not just in the UK. Their modern winemaking techniques inspired many young producers in the Old World to change winemaking forever. As someone from a country with a rich wine heritage, working in the wine business in the UK is fantastic. It is open-minded to wines from around the world and has no national prejudice. L'Art du Vin has put together an 'Aussie' selection that will hopefully reflect the main wine regions of this large country.RichardThere are 15 products in this category.
AustriaAustria is an impossibly picturesque country, and its wines are oenological gems. The native Grüner Veltliner and Riesling are the country's dominant varieties, and national viticultural regulations are stricter here than pretty much anywhere else in the world. The Wachau region is Austria's most renowned, and quite apart from the beauty of the Wachau landscape, the wines produced here are absolutely fabulous. Classification in the Wachau goes from Smaragd, which are rich and sweet, to Federspiel, which are moderately less ripe, to Steinfeder wines which are fresh and best drunk young.There is 1 product in this category.
CaliforniaCalifornia's wine makes up around 90% of the USA's total output, and is undoubtedly the shining light of North American wine. Its climate is unusual, in that it experiences blisteringly hot temperatures during the summer, but the breezes that sweep in off the Pacific Ocean and fog blankets help to temper the severity of the region's heat, allowing the grapes to develop and mature in their own time. The Napa Valley and Sonoma County are California's most eulogised ambassadors, and prices can often seem astronomical, but it is important to remember that because the population of the USA is so large, and their demand for Californian wine is so high that for foreign customers it can be tricky to get one's hand on! Californian gastronomy is famed for its excellence, and this, together with the enthusiastic welcome from the majority of this region's wineries makes California a wonderful place to visit.There are 7 products in this category.
ChileChile's ultimate heyday was at the end of the 19th Century, when much of the rest of the wine producing world had been struck down by the dreaded phylloxera. The industry was dominated in Chile by just a handful of families, and suddenly found herself able to fill the void in the world's wine lake, but before too long had slipped into a period of stagnation. During the 1990s, however, many Chilean wineries began to re-evaluate their situation and the wine industry is thriving once more. Its climate is reliable, and their vines seem less susceptible to many of the pests and diseases that plague other countries' vines. Cabernet Sauvignon is Chile's main grape variety, followed by Merlot and Carmenère, and Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay for whites. There are 21 products in this category.
France 
GermanyThe central pillar of Germany's wine producing industry is undoubtedly the Riesling grape, which flourishes in this relatively cool climate. This grape variety shows itself capable of producing some of the world's liveliest, most structured and racy whites, and has an amazing ability to age excellently. The Riesling grape is very distinctive, and it is one of the best grapes for the expression of terroir, meaning that the resulting wine can be hugely different depending on where the grapes were grown. There are 2 products in this category.
HungaryHungary's viticultural history stretches back to the 17th century and, despite the ravages of Soviet occupation and dominance, the country has earned a reputation for its signature sweet wines from the Tokaj region. Tokaji wine is a sweet white wine made from botrytised grapes, and it is graded on a scale from 2 to 6 'Puttonyos', 6 being the sweetest. The astoundingly sweet Essencia measures 7 Puttonyos, and is considered one of the greatest sweet wines in the world.Hungary has also started to produce an impressive range of white wines, and some good reds, and so we see the country's wine beginning to make the transition from commodity to much sought-after consumer product. There is 1 product in this category.
IsraelThere are 2 products in this category.
ItalyItaly has such a strong food and wine heritage that I do not really know where to start. Like France, Italy possesses huge cultural diversity. From the Germanic Alto Adige to sun-drenched Sicily, the range of wines produced is phenomenal. Similarly varied is Italy’s gastronomy, and although clichés tend to make us think of pizza and tomato, the continental/mountain climate of the north offers very different, butter and cream-based fare as opposed to the Mediterranean olive oil stamp. Veal, Risotto, truffles and polenta are dominant in the rich Po Valley between Brescia and Venice. Herbs and fabulous seafood prevail in the south. The beauty of Italy is that for every single type of food produced, there is always a fantastic wine to match. Salute! PhilippeThere is 1 product in this category.
New ZealandIn terms of global wine production New Zealand is a small player, but nevertheless hugely important for New World wines. Wine is produced both on North and South Island, which means that the country as a whole is quite variable in its climate. Fresh winds from the Antarctic and lots of sunshine hours are somewhat characteristic however, and the country's wines tend to be wonderfully fruity and sharp. White wine dominates, specifically Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and increasingly, Pinot Gris. New Zealand has enjoyed great success with Pinot Noir in the red corner, as well as Merlot. There are 6 products in this category.
PortugalPortugal is most famous for its production of Port, but it is also home to some wonderful unfortified reds and whites. This beautiful country has regions such as Vinho Verde, Dão, and the Douro in its armoury, and it plays host to an incredibly diverse range of local grape varieties, which seem to have kept at bay the global fashion for international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. There is 1 product in this category.
South AfricaSouth Africa is a very special place for me, not only because I have now visited several times but also because it is very different from any other New World wine producing country. Historically, the majority of the landowners were the descendents of 17th Century Dutch immigrants who settled in South Africa, bringing with them their 'Boer' culture and their own language. Due to religious persecution in their own country French protestant Hugenots followed, bringing their names and culture, as is evident in Franschhöek. The use of French disappeared over the centuries but names like Joubert or De Villiers are still very common. South Africa, despite being a New World wine producing country, has a long winemaking heritage. Constantia was already famous for its Muscat as early as the beginning of the 19th century. The French and other European immigrants brought with them their know-how and their grape varieties and even created their own grape variety by crossing Cinsault with Pinot Noir to create Pinotage.I am also delighted to introduce the Cannonberg Project. Our Cannonberg label was originally launched in partnership with the Fairtrade Organisation, which we hoped was going to benefit the local community by contributing to social projects in the Western Cape region. Although it worked well, we have now decided to both develop the concept and manage the project on a more personal level. PhilippeThere are 32 products in this category.
SpainAll too often when one thinks of Spanish wine one thinks only of Rioja. However, there are many more strings to Spain's viticultural bow, and the wealth and diversity of their wines complements the rich Spanish gastronomy. Rioja, undoubtedly Spain's flagship region, is closely followed by fascinating regions such as Ribera del Duero, Rías Baixas, Priorat, Rueda, and so on. The country's revered Tempranillo grape dominates, but others, notably Garnacha, Albariño, Verdejo, Viura and a huge number of local varieties play a vital role in Spain's viticultural tapestry. In this selection we have endeavoured to provide a varied and interesting taste of what Spain has to offer. 
