The best new bottles to try this spring
Drinks expert Susy Atkins shares her pick of the best new tipples to try this spring. Susy takes a spin around the world picking wines with a spring in their step, finishing up with a pink fizz from the UK. Plus: a floral French gin and grown-up softie cocktail…
The best wines to sip this spring
M&S Expressions Vermentino 2022, Sardinia, Italy 12%
A new dry Sardinian white that sings with freshly sliced citrus – lime and grapefruit particularly – and has a sunny succulence, just right for lighter spring salads. Try it with braised fennel. £8, available from Marks & Spencer (in-store only)
Norton Torrontés 2023, Mendoza, Argentina 13%
Torrontés is a lip-smacking, palate-wakening grape, here with notes of galia melon, tangerines and an exotic drop of orange blossom. Chill it for corn fritters or lightly spiced chicken empanadas. £8.99 (down to £7.99 from 3 Apr to 7 May), available from Waitrose
Taste The Difference Austrian Riesling 2022 12.5%
From vineyards along the Danube riverbanks, an elegant dry riesling with a bright lemon streak and the flavour of crunchy green apples, perfect with light white fish dishes or baby broad bean risotto. £11, available from Sainsbury’s
The Best South African Pinotage 2022, Swartland 14%
With its youthful, vibrant red cherries and mulberries and easy-going, soft texture, this will segue into summer nicely (chill it in warmer weather). A juicy one for pork chops and sausages. £7.50, available from Morrisons
Domaine Maby Prima Donna Rosé Tavel 2022, France 14.5%
Tomato-based fish stews (like our best of the best seafood stew) work well with dry rosé – here’s one bursting with delicious ripe redcurrants. A little richer than some, it can take on all the ingredients. £14.50, available from The Wine Society
Mount Difficulty Roaring Meg Pinot Noir 2022, Central Otago, New Zealand 14%
Super-fruity pinot from one of NZ’s most acclaimed wine regions. Aromatic with oodles of ripe raspberry, red cherry and brambles, it’s a serious treat with roast beef. £22.99 (or £19.99 as part of a mixed six), available from Majestic
Eight Acres Sparkling Rosé NV, Kent, England 11.5%
A fine English fizz, made in the meticulous champagne method and strewn with red berries – especially raspberry and strawberry. Dry and crisp with bustling tiny bubbles. £18 in-store (£19.50 online), available from The Co-op
The best new spirit to try
Melifera Organic Gin, France 43%
I love the freshness and subtle floral and herbal qualities of this gin – it includes among its botanicals the yellow immortelle flowers grown on the Ile d’Oleron, western France. Plus, some of the proceeds from sales go towards conservation projects on the island. £39.70 for 70cl, available from Hedonism; £38.44 from Master of Malt
A spring-fresh alcohol-free drink
Tayēr x Everleaf Blood Orange + Timur Pepper Highball
London cocktail bar Tayēr + Elementary has teamed up with non-alc drinks wizards Everleaf to make this new, mouthwatering aperitif, its juicy orange sweetness tempered by subtle botanical bitters. Just crack open and pour over ice. £4.50 for a 250ml can, available from Tayēr + Elementary
For more seasonal freshness, take a look at these recipes to celebrate spring.