Whites and sherry
Vinho Verde 2020, Mimo Moutinho, Portugal, Aldi, £4.99: Cracking value in this under-a-fiver fresh-tasting, lemon and stone fruit filled wine. Only 11 per cent alcohol, so it is good for lunchtime sipping.
Saint Mont 2019, Finest, France, Tesco, £6.50: Don’t let the boring label put you off this wine, it is surprisingly full flavoured, with zippy grapefruit and lime flavours, wrapped up in peaches and apricots.
Soave Classico, The Best, Italy, Morrisons, £6.50: Fragrant, floral and delicate, but certainly big enough to pour alongside fish and salads. Herb-sprinkled, stone fruit flavours with lime freshness and a crunchy, minerally finish.
Assyrtiko 2020, Aspri Petra, Florina, Greece, Aldi, £6.99: From a single highaltitude vineyard in the mountainous north-west of Greece, this rare grape is gradually spreading from its Santorini homeland. Think lemons, herbs, blue skies and sunshine.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2019, Taste the Difference, Italy, Sainsbury’s, down from £8 to £7 until April 13: There is something about the seemingly light, fresh flavours of Italian whites that makes them hang around on the palate, fitting seamlessly around whatever you are eating.
This is a lovely wine, with crisp, citrus and green apple flavours, a hint of spiced pears and a minerally finish.
Chenin Blanc, Finest, 2020, South Africa, Tesco, £7.50: The Tesco Finest range continues to offer really good quality wines at great value prices. This comes from the Stellenrust winery in South Africa’s Stellenbosch region. It has apple and pear flavours with just a touch of honey and apricots.
Kylie Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Côtes de Gascogne, France, Tesco, £9: Celebrity wines are sometimes a disappointment but the range from Kylie Minogue has been put together by really good winemakers, with, I am sure, input from the lady herself. This is a bright, breezy wine from south-west France with notes of pink grapefruit and lemon. Ideal as an aperitif or with shellfish.
Mad Fish Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Western Australia, Tesco, £9: Made by Janice McDonald, Gourmet Traveller winemaker of the year, this is a refined, precision-made Sauvignon with nettles, passion fruit and a citrus-charged herby finish.
Orvieto Classico 2019, Santa Cristina, Campogrande, Co-op, £10: Just limboing into this line-up with its £10 price tag, this is a stylish Orvieto, made by the famous and historic wine producer Antinori. It has rounded flavours of apple, peaches and just a hint of almonds on the finish, which is long and elegant.
Palo Cortado Dry Sherry, Morrisons, £6.26 for a half bottle: Sherry sales have boomed during lockdown as we all rediscover the delights of a glass of sherry at the end of a working-from-home day. Made by top producer Lustau, this is fabulous value. Full of hazelnut and raisin flavours, it is dry, smooth and delicious. Serve just slightly chilled with a few salted almonds.