ALTHOUGH the latest budget has not given us wine drinkers much to smile about, the first signs of sunny spring were certainly showing last week so why not toast to this positive change in the climes and try one of the following sparkling wine delights from our very own soils.

Camel Valley Bacchus 2009, £12.70

greatwesternwine.co.uk

Scooping a silver medal at last year’s International Wine Challenge, this is a wine for all New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc lovers. Showing the same punchy and grassy aromas as Sauvignon, but with a lovely floral overtone this is a real food lovers wine. Its zesty acidity and brute fruit flavours will more than stand up to a variety of food ranging from goats cheese to pad thai and even some mildly spiced curries.

Chapel Down English Rosé 2009, £10.99 M&S

Proving that English wines aren’t all about whites and sparkling numbers, this is a fresh rosé made from the well-known Pinot Noir and the not so well known Rondo and Regent grape varieties. This strawberry flavour and spice laden rosé is just perfect for a spring afternoon with the sun on your face. Failing that, a king prawn sweet chilli and lime salad would also be a great match.

Ridgeview Cavendish 2007, £19.99 or buy 6 mixed bottles for £15.99, Oddbins

A classic sparkling wine, made using the same production method as Champagne and using the same grape varieties (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). This is a fine example of English fizz with biscuity and refined fruit aromas, a full palate of apple Danish flavours and a rich finish. The perfect aperitif or a brilliantly different partner to aged, crumbly hard cheese.

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée Brut 2005, from £22.50 The Wine Society

Some consider Nyetimber to being the being one of the top names of English wine, and after tasting the utterly superlative 2003 vintage (unfortunately now not available) it is hard to disagree. As with the previous, this has been produced using all three Champagne grape varieties and is both elegant and opulent, with toasty aromas which give way to ripe citrus fruit flavours and a bold finish. A full-bodied sparkler which would not look out of place alongside mains of grilled fish or chicken.