£8–£10, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Booths
The name of last week's wine of the week translated as "no fuss". This week it's The Doctors. It could be a metaphor for what's been happening in some parts of the world in recent weeks, but neither wine was chosen for its name. I've had this Sauvignon Blanc lined up for a while but was waiting for warmer weather (I've given up on that) and for the 2019 vintage to be well stocked (no need to spurn the 2018 if that's what you find).
At a glance it might look like any other Marlborough Sauvignon, but it's a pioneer among wines. It's only 9.5% alcohol and yet has the flavour of a Sauvignon of normal alcohol – a grassy, bright, elderflower and lemon fragrance and rounded, zingy palate with juicy, herb-accented fruit. Enjoy it as an aperitif, or have it with simple seafood, salads or light Thai dishes.
It's the creation of New Zealand molecular biologist turned winemaker Dr John Forrest, who spent years working on ways to ripen his vines fully but at lower sugar levels and thus lower potential alcohol. The other doctor of the label is his wife Brigid, a medical doctor before wine lured them both away.
The Doctors' Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand
£8 on offer until 13 April (then £9), Tesco; £8.99, Waitrose; £9, Ocado; £10, Booths (which has the entire Doctors' range, including Pinot Noir and Rosé),