£9, Tesco
A light, limber red that's as full of character as it is of joie de vivre – silky and supple with perfumed, sweet red-berry fruit, gentle spice, sun-baked earth and breezy freshness and purity.
For years, South Africa kept most of its Cinsault grapes in the back room for blending, but now they're going solo to produce wines like this that fit a zeitgeist valuing lighter, less tannic reds as much as power and concentration.
The grapes for The Misfits were hand-picked, partially de-stemmed and partially whole-bunch fermented with wild yeasts. Malolactic followed in neutral old barrels.
The man behind it is Ken Forrester, aka Mr Chenin for his championing of another Cape variety that was hugely under-appreciated, but basically he's a national treasure in South African wine.
It's a very good accompaniment to salmon, including lightly smoked, briefly seared fillets, and to tuna steaks, prosciutto-wrapped chicken breast, and lightly spiced stir fries and noodles. It would also be good with crisp-edged, pink lamb cutlets.
However you serve it – on its own or with food – it should be cool/lightly chilled. 12.5%. Empty bottle weight: 417g
Ken Forrester The Misfits Cinsault 2021, Western Cape, South Africa
£9, Tesco