Top 10 wines in the UK press

Delta Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012, New Zealand

Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, selected his pick of some of the most refreshing white wines from the southern hemisphere, perfect for spring time, starting with this New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.

He said: “This zesty mix of grassy acidity and tropical fruits, with a shot of citric grapefruit and lime, will refresh the palate and invigorate the soul. Shellfish or a prime white fish such as brill are ideal.”

Price: £11.65, etonvintners.com; £11.95,slurp.co.uk (minimum order: six bottles)

Valcheta Torrontes 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Another recommendation was for this light white varietal made from the Argentine Torrontes grape.

He said: “The enticingly floral aromas of an Argentine Torrontes from the Mendoza valley can, paradoxically, remind us of the joys of our spring hedgerows, bursting with wild flowers. Despite the floral nose, this is bone-dry, and its light, peachy flavours marry well with all types of fish, particularly if cooked with Asian spices.”

Price: £8.65, jascots.co.uk

Fonseca Reserve Ruby Port NV, Portugal

Jamie Goode, writing in The Express, chose a selection of “food-friendly” sparkling wines and sweet ports, perfect for indulgent family meals.

He said: “This is a deliciously direct, fruity port, with sweet, dense blackberry flavours. It’s great on its own but, with all this fruitiness, it would work particularly well with this week’s show-stopping hazelnut and raspberry pavlova.”

Price: £13.49, Waitrose

Moobuzz Chardonnay 2012, California, US

Another recommendation from Goode was for this delightfully named Moobuzz Chardonnay.

He said: “With its stylish modern packaging, including a re-sealable Zork “cork”, this is Californian chardonnay’s new face. It’s rich and dense with spicy, peach and pear notes, but there’s freshness, too.”

Price: £16.95, www.robersonwine.com

2013 Viña Sol, Torres, Catalunya, Spain

Hamish Anderson, writing in The Telegraph picked out a selection of “refreshing” Spanish whites, including this Viña Sol wine from Catalunya.

He said: “Last year was the 51st vintage of Viña Sol, so it must being doing something right. On early labels it described itself as ‘Spanish Chablis’ (today highly illegal), which gives a good idea what it is about – fruity, with the kind of lip-smacking refreshment factor that demands a deep ice bucket and warm alfresco imbibing.”

Price: £6.99, Tesco

2013 Albarín Blanco ‘El Aprendiz’, Leyenda del Páramo, Léon

Another of Anderson’s choices was this white made from the “rare” Albarín grape – native to the Asturias and known for its intense green and bright-yellow colour. It has a strong Moscatel flavour and is also known as Raposo and Blanco Verdín.

He said: “Albarín is a rare variety (it has nothing to do with Albariño from nearby Galicia) and a great illustration of the new breed of Spanish winery that is rediscovering varieties. Aromatic and perfumed, it has a savoury side of fennel and dry grass – lovely with the first asparagus.”

Price:£9.15, Wine Rack, winerack.co.uk

Podere Le Cinicole Cinciorosso IGT Toscana, Italy 2010

David Williams, writing in The Guardian, like Goode, also picked a selection of wines to match with food. One of his recommendations was for this Italian red blend made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese and Syrah.

He said: “At the [SITT, the Specialist Importers Trade Tasting in London], one of the standout exhibitors was H2Vin, which, as might be expected from a company run by a former top sommelier and a French expat with a couple of decades’ experience selling to the UK’s best restaurants, has a range of wines that have food-friendliness as a priority. These are wines that put the emphasis on texture as much as fruit, with a freshness that complements rather than overwhelms at the table – wines such as this succulent, fragrant light red from Chiantishire, which includes a little Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah in its blend but is really all about the tangy, blood orange, cherry and cranberry of Sangiovese for matching with tomato-based pasta.”

Price: £12, www.h2vin.co.uk

Ixsir Altitudes Red, Bekaa Valley, Lebanon 2010

Another recommendation came from the perhaps lesser-known wine region of Lebanon which Williams said has always produced “food friendly wines”, which includes this blend overseen by French winemaker Hubert de Boüard, known for his work at Bordeaux Château Angélus.

He said: “Food-friendliness is also a quality I’ve come to expect in wines from the Lebanon, and again that probably shouldn’t come as a surprise given that the country is home to one of the world’s great cuisines and its winemaking scene has a pronounced French accent. The Gallic influence is explicit in this red blend thanks to the presence of winemaker Hubert de Boüard, who is better known for his work at top Bordeaux Château Angélus, and the wine has the cool herbal quality and crunchy blackcurrant of good Claret. There is a freshness, too, which may well have something to do with the name-inspiring altitude (1,000 metres) of the vines. If you’re looking ahead to Easter, and roast lamb, look no further.”

Price: £16.95, greatwesternwine.co.uk, thefinewinecompany.co.uk

2012 Verdicchio Classico Superiore, Casal di Serra, Umani Ronchi, Marche, Italy

Matthew Jukes, writing in The Daily Mail recommended six “incredible wines” including some of South Africa’s finest Rieslings to this Verdicchio white from Italy.

He said: “This is the 30th anniversary release of my favourite Verdicchio – the brilliant, single vineyard Casal di Serra.  Tasting like a classy Italian ‘Chablis-style’ white I have followed this great value wine for 28 of its years and every single one has been a stunner.”

Price: About £12.50, Great Western Wine tel. 01225 322810, Roberts & Speight tel. 01482 870717, Whalley Wine Shop tel. 01254 822581, hic! tel. 01977 550047.

2013 Paul Cluver, Ferricrete Riesling, Elgin, South Africa

Of this South African Riesling Jukes said: “Originally famous for growing apples, Elgin is now renowned for cool climate crunchy, elegant white wines and silky Pinot Noirs.  This picturesque region is 70kms southeast of Cape Town and Paul Cluver is one of its most famous estates. Beautifully fragrant and sherbety, this is an epic Riesling with a thrilling lemon balm scent.”

Price: £12.99, Marks & Spencer