The move into British Summer Time always leaves me time disorientated but by 7pm this Sunday I know my system will have accepted the change – I can now listen to The Archers and admire the colour of a glass of lightly chilled white wine without needing to put the light on.
Longer periods of daylight send a signal to our brain to expect warmer days and nights. Our senses instinctively back this up by rejecting the dark reds and browns of winter and seeking out lighter colours.
So leave dark red Cabernet Sauvignons unopened and pick up a bottle of its white cousin Sauvignon Blanc instead. This light green coloured wine not only matches the burgeoning spring foliage but also the lighter foods we’ll be eating once the weather gets warmer: quiches, cold meats and cold soups all match its gooseberry smell and taste.
Sauvignon Blanc, though fresh and fruity, can be rather one dimensional so a good alternative are wines made with the Chenin Blanc grape.
Mostly made in South Africa, Chenin Blanc’s multiple fruit personality makes it versatile enough to match almost any dish. But its sweet melon and apple flavours also make it a good choice as an aperitif or an ideal partner to a large bowl of popcorn while watching that favourite film for the seventh time.
Spring-time needn’t be just about white wines; there are plenty of lighter reds that are an ideal match to lighter meals. Try French Claret or Beaujolais, or wines made with the Pinot Noir grape to find strawberry and redcurrant flavours.
PG Wine Reviews
Asda Extra Special Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 2014
£5 Asda
Gooseberry flavours that are made to make your mouth water.
Asda Extra Special Italian Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2013
£5 Asda
Quaffable with flavours of plum and cherry juice.
Le Croix des Celetins French Beaujolais Fleuries 2013
£6.49 Lidl
One of the new breed of posh wines at a reasonable wines from Lidl: cherry, sloe and milk choc.
Asda Extra Special French Cotes du Rhone Villages 2013
The fresh black pepper flavour predominates (and I mean fresh) with plum fruitiness as a sideline.
Blackfoot Daisy Australian Pinot Grigio 2014
£8.99 Virgin Wines
A really lovely wine: freh apple, peach and pear flavours. Top white wine of the week.
Asda Extra Special French Chablis 2013
£8.50 Asda
Lemon, lime and honey.
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© Paula Goddard 2015 www.paulagoddard.com
