Thirst-quenching white wine for summer days | Alistair Gibson

Thirst-quenching, food-friendly white wines are the order of the day and here are three for the coming week.

Torres Viña Esmeralda 2019, Cataluyna (Ocado, Tesco £9, Fareham Wine Cellar £8.75) was first produced by the Torres family – perhaps Spain’s most famous wine family – in 1976.

Despite many label redesigns and changes in wine fashion, this is still a wine that delivers and its slightly odd blend of grapes for a Spanish white wine is part of its appeal.

Produced from a blend of 85 per cent Muscat of Alexandria and 15 per cent gewürztraminer grown in the cooler mountainous region of the upper Penedès, this makes such a perfect summer wine.

The bouquet is so fragrant with notes of citrus blossom, pear, honeysuckle, lychee and a little spice.

The palate is fresh with tropical fruits and a little sweetness on the finish, making this a refreshingly off-dry wine.

It’s relatively low in alcohol at 11.5 per cent so makes a great all-rounder and would work really well as a picnic wine with simple garlic prawns or Thai-influenced salad dishes.

Irresistible Australian Chardonnay 2018, Western Australia (Co-op £7.75) is, without question, a summer bargain and is made by two of Australia’s most respected winemakers, Larry Cherubino and Rob Merrick.

From Western Australia, where sub-£10 a bottle chardonnay is a rarity, this is all about refreshing fruit, and while it was made with a little oak influence it’s very much in the background to add structure.

The nose has ripe melon and pear, followed by more pear and a little apple on the palate with a touch of creaminess and a nice citrus twist to bring it all together.

This is an easy summer quaffer, great value and matches well with a lunchtime quiche and salad.

The white wines of Gascony in south-west France can make for lovely summer drinking.

White & Sea 2019, Cotes de Gascogne (Hermitage Cellars £8.25) is a blend of 70 per cent colombard and 30 per cent sauvignon blanc, with green apple, citrus and a touch of tropical fruit on the nose, followed by a fresh, zesty palate with a lovely clean, mouthwatering finish.

It makes a great aperitif, or how about with some fresh barbecued mackerel or a broad bean and feta risotto?