Not The Usual Suspects

For a couple of years now we've been talking about putting together a tasting like this. Every week we taste hundreds of wines from around the world and, while we will never tire of great Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz or Cabernet, we're constantly reminded that they tell only a small part of wine's story. Beyond the familiar lies an extraordinary world of indigenous and lesser-known varieties, many with centuries of history and every bit as much character as their more famous counterparts.

Not the Usual Suspects is our chance to shine a light on some of those grapes. We'll be pouring a selection of brilliant Italian varieties that many of you may already know and love, alongside others that deserve to be far better known. From there we'll venture through France and Spain in search of hidden gems, before heading further afield to places like Austria and Georgia, with perhaps even something a little cheeky from the Southern Hemisphere thrown in for good measure.

The aim isn't to be obscure for the sake of it. These are simply delicious wines that deserve a place in every wine lover's repertoire. We've spent months picking through countless bottles to put together a snapshot of the weird, wonderful and endlessly fascinating world of wine beyond the usual suspects. Whether you discover a new favourite grape or simply leave with a greater appreciation for the diversity of wine, we think this will be one of the most enjoyable tastings of the year.