Top 10 wines in the UK press

Domaine Laurent Martray Vieilles Vignes, Combillaty 2013, Brouilly

Spring is when the “succulent, food-friendly wines” of the Beaujolais Villages crus come into their own, wrote Terry Kirby in The Independent this week, recommending a selection of the region’s wines.

“The older vines here give a greater depth than the Saint-Amour, with similar floral aromas but light, spicy, herby undertones to the bright, juicy cherry fruits. Excellent with lighter game and roast white meats such as pork or chicken.”

Price: £14.95, leaandsandeman.co.uk

Domaine Jean-Marc Burgaud, Côte du Py 2013, Morgon

Kirby also recommended this Beaujolais from Morgon which “unlike almost all other Villages wines” can be kept for a few years.

“Traditionally the Cru for the heaviest wines, this is rich, concentrated and full-bodied, but retains characteristic freshness. Ideal for casseroles of rabbit and chicken”, said Kirby.

Price: £13.50, Wine Society; £16.50, bbr.com

El Maestro Sierra Fino Sherry NV

Planning a Spanish springtime feast? David Williams, writing in The Guardian, put forward the perfect wines to pair with fresh green new-season vegetables, artichokes and asparagus.

“Artichokes in particular tend to get overly fastidious sommeliers a bit twitchy: like asparagus they do unusual things to the palate, stripping the wine’s flavour and leaving a kind of numb sweetness. Dry sherry, that most versatile of food wines, doesn’t seem to have the same problem, or at least it didn’t the last time I sat down with a plate of steamed artichokes. I’d go for a savoury, briny and yet delicate, lemony and refreshing Manzanilla such as Hidalgo’s La Gitana (£10, Waitrose) or a more almond-nutty Fino such as El Maestro’s deep but graceful example.”

Price: £9.95, 37.5cl, Roberson Wine

Tesco Finest Campo Lindo Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014, San Antonio, Chile

For those less inclined toward Sherry, Williams recommended this crisp Sauvignon Blanc, which he said would match the “herbaceous pungency” of spring greens.

“Sauvignon blanc is the obvious choice, and Tesco’s new addition from Chile’s coastal San Antonio region serves up the green bean and fresh green pepper flavours with nervy citrus”, said Williams. “A few quid more brings the extra verve and poise of Greywacke’s benchmark Marlborough Sauvignon 2014 (£16.95, contact libertywines.co.uk for a local stockist) or the more subtly grassy, mineral Sancerre of Vincent Gaudry Le Tournebride 2013 (£16.50, Vintage Roots) . And if you want to stay in Spain, head to Rueda, and the punchy, tangy Cuatro Rayas Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (£7.95, Drink Monger).”

Price: £8.99, Tesco

Daruma Masamune Five Year Old

Susy Atkins got to grips with sake writing in The Telegraph this week, recommending a number of bottles to get you started.

“You taste [sake] the same way as wine, noting its purity (very important), its variable, slightly sweet and savoury (umami) qualities and its acidity levels (always lower than grape wine)”, she said.

Of this bottle Atkins said: “Aged sake, mellow and rich with spicy notes of clove and nutmeg, a hint of cedar, not dissimilar to dry Oloroso sherry.” (17% abv)

Price: £39.99, ministryofdrinks.co.uk

Dassai 50 Junmai Daijinjo

“Strictly speaking, sake just means alcohol; the drink made from rice is nihonshu”, explained Atkins.

Of this bottle she said: “Aromatic sake with tropical fruit – pineapple, lychee and mango – and a creamy texture, though pleasantly astringent. Great with seafood or chicken salads.” (16% abv)

Price: 31dover.com, £32.50

2013 Secret de Viu Manent, Malbec, Colchagua, Chile

Following World Malbec Day on Friday Matthew Jukes, writing for The Daily Mail, recommended this “lusty, blackberry and cinnamon-tinged” example of the variety from Chile.

“With a secret 15% of other grapes in the mix, too, you drink it while trying to guess what else is in it!”, he said.

Price: £11.25, Oddbins

2013 The Society’s Corbières, Languedoc-Roussillon, France

Another of Jukes’ recommendations was this inexpensive red from Corbières in the Languedoc-Roussillon – the region’s largest AOC.

“Red wine is the order of the day here and Carignan is the most important grape variety. Serve this inexpensive, plummy version with all manner of Sunday roasts”, said Jukes.

Price: £7.50, The Wine Society

Chevalier d’Or Première Grande Cuvée 2013, Pays d’Hérault

Jamie Goode of The Express picked a selection of wines from “prolific vineyards” in the South of France.

“Together, the regions of Languedoc and Roussillon have more vineyards than the whole of Australia. They used to make a lot of cheap wines, but increasingly they are focussing on quality”, said Goode.

Of this bottle he said: “This has red cherries and plums plus attractive lemony acidity, keeping the flavours in focus. It’s a very fruity wine at a competitive price.”

Price: £5.49, Lidl

Domaine Jones Fitou 2012, Languedoc

Finally Goode also recommended this blend of Grenache, Carignan and Syrah, with fruit sourced from several small parcels around the village of Tuchan.

“Here is a superbly stylish fitoured from Katie Jones, who’s making some of the region’s most interesting wines. It’s supple and pure, with some elegance as well as ripe black fruits and a fine spiciness.”

Price: £14.50, thewinesociety.com