Four thousand years of making wine — and over a thousand grape varieties — makes for a very comprehensive range of wines to select from when it comes to Italy.

We have recently received Santa Margherita sparkling rosé that has been created by blending 55 per cent chardonnay with 40 per cent glera, the grape used to make prosecco. Five per cent malbec is added to introduce the pink hue. There is a lively and long-lingering freshness on the palate with a subtle succession of floral fragrances followed by white fruits and hints of red berries. $20.50.

Just unloaded from California is a blend of 48 per cent grenache, 16 per cent barbera, 13 per cent pinot gris, 12 per cent tempranillo and 11 per cent other mixed varietals that combined give us Dark Horse Rosé 2016. It is a deep pink, peach colour with a nose of sour cherry and ripe melon. There are touches of apricot and even a delicate hint of minerality. Very refreshing. $15.35

I have certainly written about Shafer wines before and in my mind they are as good as you can get from Napa Valley, all of California, or anywhere for that matter. The 2013 vintage of Shafer One Point Five Stags Leap District Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is 95 per cent cabernet sauvignon with small amounts of merlot, malbec and petit verdot. Even though it would be best to wait until 2019 to enjoy this wine, it could well be worth your while to put a little aside now. All Shafer wines are on a tight allocation for us and once they are gone that is it, with little chance of top-ups.

James Suckling rates this 2013 96/100 and writes: “Blueberries, minerals, dried herbs and spices on the nose follow through to a full to medium body with a fantastic linear palate that gives the wine super energy and harmony. Goes on for minutes. Lots of black liquorice and stones at the end.”

If you would rather drink it now then be assured by Wine Enthusiast magazine that rates it 95/100 and says: “Can drink it now.” And goes on, “The velvety approachability of this soft, supple wine belies a strength and sophistication always at the heart of this producers wines.” $101.35.

Some months ago the Orin Swift selection of wines landed in our lap as it were, as a corporate associate of ours pinked up a rather large sum for this ultra-trendy Californian winery. We already have the red “Abstract”, “Machete” and “Papillon” and now we add “Mannequin” which is our first white.

Orin Swift Mannequin 2014 is a blend of Chardonnay, Viognier, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne, Muscat and Roussanne. A luminous pale-straw complexion envelops the glass. In harmony, the wine offers pleasing aromatics of jasmine, Granny Smith apple, orange blossom, poached pear, honey-lemon, and roasted marshmallow. The entry is assertive with bright acidity that quickly softens to a largess of flavors including crème brulée, white peach, tangerine oil, honeysuckle, and roasted marshmallow. An engaging mineral note is present throughout the tasting juxtaposed with the right amount of supple texture to provide balance. The finish is lively and radiant.

This is what Parker has to say about Mannequin “One of his most popular wines is the creatively packaged 2014 Chardonnay Mannequin. The label alone would draw plenty of interest. This wine, primarily Chardonnay, was aged sur lie for nine months in 40% French oak. It is no shy wine at 15.5% alcohol and there is plenty of it — 8,073 cases, which is good because it is a hot-selling wine to say the least. This wine offers notes of brioche, white peach, honeysuckle and citrus oil in a full-bodied intense style, but with terrific acidity and rather restrained oak. The wine is rich, ripe and impressive”. $53.40.

This column is a paid for advertorial for Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. Michael Robinson is Director of Wine at Burrows Lightbourn Ltd. He can be contacted at mrobinson@bll.bm or 295-0176. Burrows Lightbourn have stores in Hamilton (Front Street East. 295-1554), Paget (Harbour Road, 236-0355) and St. George’s (York Street, 297-0409). A selection of their wines, beers and spirits are available online at www.wineonline.bm.