£13.80, Tanners, www.tanners-wines.co.uk
I don’t know who comes up with these things, but tomorrow is International Sauvignon Blanc Day. If you need another excuse to drink Sauvignon, it’s the English asparagus season. New Zealand Sauvignon might seem a tad unimaginative, especially when it’s from Marlborough, the main region, but Churton is different. It’s a year older than most of the southern hemisphere Sauvignons on the shelves, it’s from a biodynamically farmed vineyard and it has a cork, not a screwcap. Personally, I favour screwcaps for fresh, aromatic whites, but this wine is so good I can’t quarrel with a cork. In taste terms, Churton is fuller, richer and more complex than the average Sauvignon, but also subtler, with a smoky, savoury edge to the passion fruit and gooseberry flavours. Because it’s a powerful style, it’s goes well with the concentrated flavours of roast asparagus and asparagus in salads with punchy dressings. It’s also good with goats’ cheese and most fish.
Churton Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand
£13.80, Tanners, www.tanners-wines.co.uk