Top 10 wines in the UK press

Morrisons Signature Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France 2013

David Williams, writing in The Guardian, recommended three wines made with Gewürztraminer – a grape he said can make wines that are “extravagantly musky, with scents of roses and lychees spiced with ginger, while in the mouth they err on the expansive, the billowing, the viscous.”

He said: “It’s a combination that could have been designed for gelatinous, aromatic Chinese food – although winegrowers in Alsace, the region most associated with Gewurztraminer (sans umlaut in these parts) traditionally had local dishes such as choucroute with pork and sausages in mind. Morrisons’ off-dry own-label is a Turkish delightful bargain for spicy Asian or hearty Alsatian food; for a last days of winter splurge, try the giddy intensity of Zind-Humbrecht Grand Cru Hengst 2012 (£35, The Wine Society).”

Price: £7.99, Morrisons

Paul Cluver Gewürztraminer, Elgin, South Africa 2014

Williams said this example from South Africa was one of the “most impressive” he had tried recently, boasting a “ginger and rose perfume”.

Gewürztraminer is produced across central Europe, with some of my favourite examples coming from the Austrian-influenced area of far northern Italy, where wines such as Hofstatter Joseph Gewurztraminer (£26.99, Selfridges) add a wash of Alpine-stream freshness to the spice, fat and floral fragance. That quality of fluency and freshness is also apparent in many of the increasingly excellent Gewürztraminers being made in New Zealand: as well as the gewurz’ perfume, Te Whare Ra Gewürztraminer 2011 (£22.25, Lea & Sandeman) has the crystal-clear clarity and fruit purity you find in good Kiwi sauvignon blanc. For sheer value, however, the most impressive Gewürz’ I’ve tried recently comes from the cool-climate Elgin region of South Africa: made by Riesling specialists Paul Clüver, it has zip and lift to go with the ginger and rose perfume.”

Price: £11.99, Waitrose; Tanners Wines

Yealands PGR 2014, New Zealand

This “silky, subtly spicy Alsace-alike” Gewürztraminer from New Zealand completed Williams’ lineup.

He said: “Such is Gewürztraminer’s overwhelming personality it’s not surprising many winemakers look to leaven its tendency for excess by mixing it with other varieties. A little goes a long way: the splash of Gewürz’ works like a drop of essential oil among the gentler floral qualities of Muscat in Torres’ evergreen aromatic off-dry classic Viña Esmerelda (£6.79, Waitrose, Tesco, Majestic), for example. And you can even detect it among the baker’s dozen of varieties the brilliant Marcel Deiss uses to make his graceful Alsace Blanc (£16.95, Lea & Sandeman). One of those 13 is Riesling, a variety with a sharp, steely acidity that also brings clarity and focus to the Gewürztraminer and Pinot Gris in Kiwi producer Yealands’ seamless, silky, subtly spicy Alsace-alike.”

Price: £13.95, Great Western Wine; Noel Young Wines; Mumbles Fine Wines

Earth’s End Pinot Noir 2013, Central Otago, New Zealand

Jamie Goode, writing in The Express, picked a selection of richer wines to pair with warm salads.

“Normally, dry white wines such as fresh Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Grigios are the perfect pick for salads, as something light is called for. But with this week’s warm salad recipes, there are lots of richer flavours in the mix to fire up the taste buds.”

Of this New Zealand Pinot Noir he said: “Pinot Noir is the main grape grown in New Zealand’s Central Otago region and this is a great example. It’s fragrantly floral, with pure red cherry fruit and a lovely smoothness in the mouth. This may be pricey, but it’s moreish and would work well with the roasted vegetables.”

Price: £16, Marks & Spencer

McHenry Hohnen Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Margaret River, Australia

“I love the lively personality of this white from Western Australia. It’s citrussy and fresh with smoky notes and would be a great match for the pumpkin and feta salad”, said Goode.

£14, Oddbins

Villa Dei Ladri 2013, Langhe, Italy

A blend of Nebbiolo and Barbera, this 2013 Italian red was recommended by Terry Kirby writing in The Independent. 

He said: “Medium-bodied, woody, smoky notes underpin the cherry fruit flavours, a bit like a rustic Burgundy. Lovely with lighter meat dishes, such as roast pork or chicken.”

Price: £13.99, Laithwaites

Alamos Malbec Catena 2013, Mendoza, Argentina

Kirby also recommended this “mid-priced” Argentine Malbec.

He said: “Juicy, with sweet, ripe, dark fresh and dried fruit, plenty of structure and a good, savoury finish. Drink with a grilled rare duck breast or steak.”

Price: £9.99, Majestic (as part of an order of six mixed bottles)

2013 Syrah, Pays de l’Ardèche, France

Hamish Anderson, writing in The Telegraph, recommended three of the “best reds” from the Northern Rhône – a region where Syrah takes centre stage.

He said: “This introduction to the spicy, fragrant charms of the north is sensational value. A svelte 12.5%, its red fruit are mixed with black pepper and the forest. It is, above all, bright and supremely quaffable.”

Price: £7.50, M&S

2013 St Joseph, Vincent Paris

Anderson also recommended this wine produced by Vincent Paris, which he said had hints of “white pepper, flowers and plum”.

He said: “Naked Wines has done well to team up with Vincent Paris – his top wines, from the neighbouring village of Cornas, are fought over by the world’s elite restaurants. Ideally, you would stash this for a year or two, but already its flavours of white pepper, flowers and plum are pretty hard to resist.”

£14.99, Naked Wines

2013 Masi, Masianco, Veneto, Italy

“This is not only a great looking bottle it is also a very clever wine”, said Matthew Jukes of this Venetian Pinot Grigio writing in the Daily Mail. “Made from Pinot Grigio with a touch of and semi-dried Verduzzo grapes in the mix to give it more depth and richness this is a hauntingly beautiful, pear-scented wine. I have tasted the 2014, too, and it is equally delicious!”

Price: £12.25, www.elwoodwines.co.uk; £12.99, www.oakhamwinesonline.co.uk