RAISE A GLASS

I’ve been feeling so positive that spring is approaching and the air is filled with new beginnings. But my, it has been nippy!

I’ve decided it’s too soon to think about springtime whites and pinks. This juicy red wine from Spanish producers Ramón Bilbao is fully organic. Ramón Bilbao Organic Rioja 2019 (£10, Co-op) is created from grenache and tempranillo grapes grown in organic vineyards. The producers have used all sorts of tricks to make their grapes as sustainable as possible, including weather stations and even sending up drones to have an overview of the vineyards.

The wine is red-berry ripe and you can just about see your fingers through the glass.

Aromas of vanilla and cinnamon spice play in the air with those sweet red fruits; and spice and woody notes flick a little kick on the palate.

It’s St Patrick’s Day on March 17. I will have a little Irish whiskey tipple on the day; and probably this one, Bushmills Black Bush (RRP £26, widely available including at Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and online at Master of Malt).

The Black Bush style owes its flavours to casks which previously held Oloroso sherry and Bourbon. The barrels add memories of their one-time liquid lodgers into the single malt whiskey.

The spirit itself has been triple distilled, which creates an elegant, light and precise style before it is introduced to its super-special barrels and their flavour compounds.

Black Bush has aromas of fruitcake with a memory of sherry sweetness, and to taste, it is silky and nutty.

If you’re a fan of gin, and you like your Hollywood stars, then a perfect combo is Aviation American Gin. The gin brand (RRP £32) is owned by the American actor and producer Ryan Reynolds.

The gin hails from Oregon where the distillers use the botanicals cardamom, coriander, French lavender, anise seed, sarsaparilla, juniper, and two kinds of orange peel. The botanicals are suspended in a neutral spirit and stay there for 18 hours, gently sharing their signature notes.

I gave a swirling nudge to the aromas, to do their duty and rise from the glass. Lavender and sarsaparilla were keen to make the introductions with the juniper lingering a bit more shyly in the background.

The gin is widely available, including at Tesco, Waitrose, Asda, Amazon, Master of Malt, and 31 Dover.

■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.