With the Spring just around the corner we will soon be munching on leafy green salads and all sorts of lighter bites so here are a few wines we recommend to compliment the seasonal change.

Though there are some reds which are light enough to work well, chilled down such as the delicious Regnie Valiere (£11.75), made from the Gamay grape variety which is indigenous to  the Beaujolais region of South East France. However in the main we are drawn to white wines during the warmer months and we are spoilt for choice.

Not so long ago heavy oaky, fat Chardonnays were all the rage, these have made way to preference for a leaner crisp style often associated with varietals that grow well in cooler climates, such as Spain’s Carqueixal Albarino Rias Baixas 2010(£12.55) made in the north-western region of Galicia. This wine is very dry with super-refreshing saline and citrus flavours.

Another lesser known but ultra successful wine with N&P’s clients has been the Ca dei Frati Lugana 2010(£14.90), again made in a non-oaked style from the Turbiana grape variety grown on the hills surrounding the beautiful Lake Garda town of Sirmione. Still a dry wine but it does have an extra level of richness with white peaches and a lemony freshness.

Sauvignon Blanc has become a global phenomenon. It can be very affordable in the shape of the excellent Chilean L’Artista (£7.25) and Bordeaux’s Chateau Haut Pougnan (£7.40). It can also be quite distinguished behind the success of the great Loire wines of Sancerre and Pouilly Fume. But it is perhaps the formidable success of the Kiwi wines that has done most to raise the profile of this noble grape variety. The most dynamic exponent of this success is Kevin Judd, wine maker at Cloudy Bay for 25 vintages. Kevin’s new adventure has brought us Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2010(£15.00), made from low yielding vineyards in Marl borough’s Brancott Valley. Cloudy Bay’s telltale ripe fruit intensity, freshness and balance are evident in these new wines.