When it comes to making a choice from the wine list, this summer we have seen more and more people opting to move away from traditional French wines to more fashionable styles mainly from Australia, New Zealand and Spain, which often not only have the benefit of being more approachable than their French counterparts but are more affordable too.

One of our highlighted wines at the Samling over the past few months, Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011 from the Marlborough Region in New Zealand, has proved to be a real hit with our guests.

This exciting wine, with fresh green apple and lemon flavours balanced by crisp minerality, has received high praise from many wine professionals. A perfect aperitif sipped over a lazy afternoon on the terrace or next to the lake, or equally satisfying with lunch or dinner paired with some fresh salmon.

Greywacke is produced by winemaker Kevin Judd, formerly of the acclaimed Cloudy Bay, and this his new venture is a fabulous secret stunner for your cellar. But I don’t expect it to stay a secret for very long.

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand available at Majestic Wines £14.90.

Alasdair Elswick is general manager of The Samling, Windermere