Riesling, Viognier and Torrontes are all aromatic white wines I like to drink but seldom order unless I’m eating Asian style foods with a bit of spice. It’s been drummed into us: aromatic whites go with Japanese, Thai and Chinese which is great because they’re always a safe combo but aromatic whites are equally, if not more so, perfect staples for Spring time drinking too.
What sets an aromatic white apart from trusty whites like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio is very much as the name suggests; they’re perfumed, scented, fragrant, distinctive and sometimes pungent which means finding one
you like can be a bit of a gamble.
Here are a couple that are very much in full bloom:
Harvey Nichols Clare Valley Riesling 2012, South Australia (£16.00) is everything I wish all Rieslings could be: brimming with grapefruit, lemon blossom and sherbet characters, so fresh and citrusy on the finish that your mouth literally salivates for more. It’s a style that’s typically Clare Valley Riesling and should be a go-to region for anyone that likes their’s dry not sweet.
Bellingham The Bernard Series Hand-Picked Viognier 2013 (£10.99) from The Co-operative Food is peachy, peach blossom in particular and like apricot jam on a hot croissant, it’s smooth, full and naughty but nice.
