I am continuing to have a lot of fun meeting my new neighbours; they are a happy bunch with an infectious joie de vivre. I am quite glad that nobody is offering them column inches to say anything about me . . . I am not sure they would be terribly complimentary.

They came round for supper and I had stewed rhubarb for pudding (and made the most delicious custard, ever!) and was mulling over what to do with the left-over juice when I remembered reading somewhere that you could use it in the same way as peach juice with Prosecco, in a very English adaptation of the Italian Bellini.

Clearly my new found friends thought I was completely nuts to be adding vegetable juice to a perfectly nice glass of frizzante but the result was really rather good. I have to say that the Prosecco in question (M&S Prosecco www.marksandspencer.com) is a reasonably dry example and I think the lightly sweetened rhubarb gave it a deliciously refreshing kick. If you buy a 12-bottle case online, it is currently discounted to £75.49 which is just over £6 a bottle. Not bad at all.

I have been trying to ingratiate myself with those that live closest by dropping off barely-touched sample bottles. (They have had some pretty decent wines). It was a bit of a shock to discover that one recipient will not drink anything other than oaked Chardonnay. More specifically, nothing other than Hardy’s Chardonnay, which is fine but I am secretly hoping I can broaden her horizons, just a teeny bit.

Just for her (and all those similarly blocked), here are three very tasty alternatives. First, the St Clair ‘Pioneer’s Block 10 Tower Hills’ Chardonnay 2008 is a beautifully-balanced, rich yet fresh wine that I very much like. It is in Majestic’s New Zealand wine promotion which gives you a 20 per cent discount when you buy two NZ wines, making this wine £11.99 rather than £14.99 (www.majestic.co.uk).

Less expensive but equally exciting is the Domaine Begude Chardonnay 2007 from Limoux in the south of France. I have long admired the elegant style of this wine; nicely textured with good weight (£7.59 from www.waitrosewine.com). I do not want to be rude to our Australian friends. They make some very fine Chardonnays indeed.

Tyrell’s are based in the Hunter Valley (the source of some of my most-loved Australian wines) and their extensive range rarely fails to impress. Their VAT 47 Chardonnay 2006 (£24 www.majestic.co.uk) has that all-important vigour of fruit with an opulent, creamy core and a touch of minerality too.

Whether it is a Chardonnay alternative or a splash of rhubarb juice in your Prosecco, do not turn your back on something new . . . you might just be pleasantly surprised.

To learn more about Sarah and to sign up for her wine postcards, visit www.wine-talk.co.uk