RAISE A GLASS

THE other day I thought ah yes, now the birds are beginning to sing and daffodils are peeping, my theme will be white wines for spring.

Today I pulled the curtains and saw nothing but snow. I’ve crossed my fingers (which is tricky when you’re holding wine) to hope that by the time you read this selection of wines the world looks more like March than December.

REINO de San Adrian Rioja 2016, Tempranillo Blanco (£5.79, Aldi, 13% abv)

This is a seasonal listing so beware that once it’s gone, it’s gone.

This white rioja is made from tempranillo but not the black grape at the heart of Spain’s classic red rioja, but its lesserknown cousin tempranillo blanco. White rioja can be creamy and complex but this is a simple affair, tasty, fruity and refreshing. I enjoyed a supper-time culture clash and sipped it with chicken curry and the wine’s pear and citrus notes were a perfect foil.

CO-OP Irresistible Gavi Broglia (£7.99, 13.5% abv)

IF you see DOCG on a label, you know it’s an Italian wine to impress. Wines of the highest quality are given this legal stamp of approval and we have one here in the Co-op’s consistently good Irresistible range.

This dry white’s flavour notes tease with almonds, apples, pear and a dryness of honey. Be gentle matching those flavours; a pea risotto would be perfect.

CôTES de Saint-Mont, Les Vignes Retrouvées 2015 (£8.50, thewinesociety.com, 13.5% abv)

THIS is a blend of three local grape varieties – gros manseng, courbu and arrufiac – from Gascony, the south-west of France. The grapes are grown on three terroirs which add nuances and character to the wine.

The gros manseng sat on its lees for up to eight months to add complexity. The result? A wine with delightful aromas – grapefruit, lime, honey – and a gorgeous lift of acidity balanced by a spike of citrus.

SHED Ten Verdelho 2016 (£9.99, Virgin Wines, 12% abv)

AUSTRALIAN winemakers have taken the verdelho grape – normally to be found in unctuous Madeira wines – and given it a new lease of life in this very delicious, zippy, racy wine which is so much more than a vibrant burst of fruit.

There’s complexity, aromas of stone fruit, a flirt with herbs and a creamy silky softness. I loved it.

CHâTEAU Lestrille-Capmartin, Bordeaux Blanc (£13.95, winetrust100.co.uk, 13.5% abv)

BORDEAUX blanc is one of my favourite springtime whites and this one is fab. Sauvignon gris leads from the front in this blend (rather than its famous cousin sauvignon blanc).

The wine was fermented in new oak and then aged on its lees for six months to add complexity and flavours. On the nose there is grilled pineapple, white peach, mango and crystallised lemon. A sip brings a creamy depth with a lush of lemon and tropical fruit.

JANE is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media as One Foot in the Grapes.