Aidy Smith's spring wine picks - white

There’s nothing quite like sitting in the sun with a chilled glass of wine as you feel the warmth caress your skin and the shimmering of the ocean 360 degrees on all sides. 

We’re lucky, with so many grape varieties on the planet, there’s a lot of choice. I’ve picked some of my personal favourites that should go down a treat.

Champagne picks here, rosé here, red wines here and sweet wines here.

CLOUDY BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC (MARLBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND)

Average Price €30
Cloudy Bay... the trademark of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This is a staple name that many know and for good reason. A fruity nose gives way to a tropical twist that entwines with wild citrus, freshly-cut grass and a minerality. It’s the zestiness on the finish that makes this such a crisp, fresh and fruity Sauvignon Blanc.

BLACK STALLION NAPA CHARDONNAY 2016 (NAPA, USA)

Average Price €26
A lovely example of a balanced Chardonnay when it comes to the oak. You’ve got the fruit shining through in the form of dried mango and dried apricot, but you’ve also got that generous dollop of oak which sits in the glass. The balance gives a lovely apricot cream with a little lemon zest thrown in the mix.

RIESLING GRAND CRU SCHLOSSBERG CUVÉE SAINTE CATHERINE DOMAINE WEINBACH 2016 (ALSACE, FRANCE)

Average Price €58
Creamy peach, apricot and honey jump out from this beauty with a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity. The texture makes this a really inviting wine while the finish leaves a long-lasting rose petal flavour as you long for another sip!

DOMAINE ANTOINE JOBARD PULIGNY-MONTRACHET PREMIER CRU CHAMPS-GAINS 2016 (BURGUNDY, FRANCE)

Average Price €112
Top-tier Burgundy, anyone? Here we have a lovely kiss of vanilla wrapped up in a comforting toasted oak. A sip brings forth a flurry of vibrant juicy peaches, apricots and baked apple before an aromatic floral flavour emerges on the finish.