01/03/2007

AllFoodScotland's resident sommelier Colin Bell has a spring in his step as he recommends wines to try this month...

Spring is on its way and I’m so excited. In a few weeks we’ll be enjoying rose pink wild salmon; at the end of April – the first shoots of asparagus, and from then on Mother Nature will be putting lots of other delicious morsels back on the menu.

I think it should be almost compulsory for people to visit their local florist at this time of year, to get a sense of the abundance of colour, fragrance and new aromas. Join me in celebrating the rites of spring with this range of light to medium wines that are perfect for drinking now, and befit the heady aromas of the season.

Pinot Gris, Le Fromenteau’ Josmeyer, Alsace, France, 2004 (Harvey Nichols £12.99)
This is a gorgeous wine. Breathing in its perfume is like standing at one end of a florist while being showered in freesia and rose petals. With flavours of pear, melon and pink grapefruit, this medium dry wine is more than a match for fresh asparagus.

Riesling, Trimbach, Alsace, France, 2004 (Waitrose, £12.99)
My favourite grape variety, and still one of the most maligned, Riesling is now emerging from the dark days of the 70s and is blossoming. This is not only incredibly fruity and exceptionally well balanced, but it has crisp, well-defined apple, rose and lychee flavours. It’s as if the winemaker has bottled spring and sealed it. Everyone should drink Riesling especially with examples like this around.

Gobelsburger, Gruner Veltliner, Langenlois, Austria, 2005 (Villeneuve Wines £8.00)
A grape variety that is very much in vogue at the moment. The aromas are fresh, ripe and vigorous. Kaffiar lime leaves, mango and lemon with a hint of honey leap from the glass, but it has a refreshingly light, clean and crisp palate with echos of melon, pureed kumquat and herb.

Sauvignon Blanc, Vergelegen, Stellenbosch, South Africa, 2006 (Peckhams, £7.99)
This has got to be without doubt one of the zestiest and crispest Sauvignon Blancs that I have tasted in a long time. The fruit is so fresh and clean that it explodes like a firecracker in the mouth. Vivid fruits of guava, gooseberry, lime and newly mown grass erupt like a citrus fruit samba. Try this with goat’s cheese, on its own or with sushi.

Falanghina, Fuedi di San Gregorio, Campania, Italy, 2005, (Oddbins, £9.49)
One for those of you who like to experiment with wine. The Falanghina grape (a native to Italy), is a highly aromatic variety. Expressing scents reminiscent of red apples, summer berries and bruised herbs, with a palate oozing flavours of sun ripened pineapple, peach and crisp apricot. This will be a match for summer salads and even chicken roasted with lemon thyme.

Do you have a burning desire to know the perfect partner for Burgundy, Claret or Zinfandel? Or, the best beers to serve with food? Our Perfect Partners food and wine matching column is here to help. Email your queries to Colin via drinks@allfoodscotland.com and we'll post his reply here.

Read Colin's advice on wines to serve with curry, here