WITH the first signs of sunnier climes starting to show in the past week we have picked four zingy tipples to put a spring in your step.
Pujalet, Plaimont Producteurs 2011 £4.99
A real bang-for-your-buck punchy white made from the local and rather unknown ugni blanc (a grape usually associated with Cognac) and colombard.
Concentrated and grassy on the nose which lead into ripe citrus flavours. Weighing in at a mere 11% alcohol and providing a great table partner to light fish and salad dishes.
Rincon del Sol Chardonnay Chenin Blanc 2011 £4.99 M&S
Sun in a glass some might say – a blend of chardonnay and chenin from Argentina’s Mendoza region which come together to produce a wine full of elderflower and creamy fruit flavours. Stunning value for money.
Miolo Millesime 2009
from £15.99 wineunlimited.co.uk, fieldandfawcett.co.uk, simplywinesdirectcom A wonderfully vibrant sparkler hailing from none other than Brazil made using the same traditional method as champagne and from traditional grape varieties pinot noir and chardonnay. This results in a poised and balanced number full of punchy citrus fruit flavours with soft, persistent bubbles. Pair this with something equally quirky – traditional Ceviche, perhaps, for a real taste of South America.
Domaine Carneros Brut 2007 from £17.96 hailshamcellars.com, formulawine.co.uk, slurp.co.uk
Splash out with a bottle of classy US fizz with a French twist – Domaine Carneros is actually Taittinger’s American outpost. It certainly has all the hallmarks of their illustrious French owners – creamy apple and pear aromas which give way to soft mouthfuls of buttery and nutty flavours all backed up with fine bubbles and zippy acidity. At under £20 this really is quite a steal!
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