So, following some the world’s top Champagnes at the Moët Hennessy portfolio we continued with wines from the rest of the world.

How on earth could Pelorus follow Moët Grand Vintage Collection 1993? It suffered a little being thus positioned in the tasting which is a shame because it should, in theory, be a good bet. The Rosé fared better, no doubt helped along by the 11g of residual sugar, and is a pleasant fruity and smoky sparkling wine.

But Cloudy Bay’s star was the Sauvignon Blanc. There is a very good reason that years ago this wine put New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc on the world wine stage and that reason still exists in the 2013 vintage. There may be a propensity to knock Cloudy Bay and I agree with those who say there are other wines to match it, but it is definitely up there with the best and I certainly would not baulk at paying £20.99 for it, in fact I’d feel well-rewarded.

The wines from Newton in California were big, bold and just a tad brash for my liking but I’m sure that for many it is a well-loved style. The Puzzle 2008 and the Unfiltered Merlot 2008 (which also comprised 19% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah and 2 % Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Malbec) were extraordinary to smell and taste but I’m not sure how much I could actually drink. No problem on that score with Western Australia’s Cape Mentelle Sauvignon Semillon 2013 or the beautifully textured Torrontés from Terrazas in Argentina which was somewhere between a Muscat and Viognier but then again, nothing like either of them. The two Single Vineyard Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, both 2008, were top drawer stuff, which of course they should be at £29, but again, no one could feel ripped off at that price.

Cheval des Andes 2007 has lovely balance now but if I were buying a couple of bottles tomorrow I’d be keeping them for many years yet, it’s a wine which shouts the best is yet to come.

I’m not sure my resolve could hold off any delayed gratification of Numanthia 2009 or even Termanthia 2009, £40 and £130 respectively. Both barrel-aged Tinta de Toro (Tempranillo) from old vines and low yields. I wonder if I loved them so much because the alcohol is a whopping 15% – it says a lot for the wines that I didn’t even notice. So they might give me a hangover, who cares? These two smooth, rich, sexy Spanish treasures are charming enough that I’d always forgive them.