ALISTAIR GIBSON: A zesty wine that's the essence of English summer

">Indeed, if you mention English wine most people now think fizz, such has been it's almost meteoric rise.

">">A million vines were planted last year and, in all probability, it will be the same again this year.

">">Much of this is aimed at producing sparkling wines, but don't overlook still wines.

">">I'm not sure a few years ago I would have been quite so enthusiastic about English still wines, but then I guess 10 years ago I would have felt the same about English fizz.

">">Yes, it's never going to be cheap but there is an increasing amount of really interesting and convincing still white wine now being made.

">">Bacchus is a grape that appears to perform very well here. Think of it as a relation to sauvignon blanc.

">" data-atex-up="">Chapel Down Bacchus 2016 (Waitrose £13.49, Majestic £12.99, bushvines.co.uk £11.75 '“ please note vintages may vary here) " data-atex-up="">is a really attractive wine.

">" data-atex-up="">This is very fresh with grapefruit and elderflower cordial, followed by a zest, a lively palate, and almost the very essence of an English summer.

">" data-atex-up="">Match this with some freshly-landed plain grilled mackerel. I'm not sure about red wines just yet, but given what we've seen it surely is only a matter of time before more than serviceable reds are produced.

">" data-atex-up="">Skipping continents but staying with perhaps slightly less well-known white varieties," data-atex-up=""> KWV Grenache Blanc 2016, Western Cape (Co-op £7.99)" data-atex-up="">" data-atex-up="">is one of my favourite white wines of the summer under £10.

">" data-atex-up="">Grenache blanc is a relative of grenache or garnacha, which produces red wine in the Rhone and in Spain. Not often seen as a single varietal wine, this is easy drinking but has more than enough personality to keep it interesting.

">" data-atex-up="">There are notes of peaches and nectarines along with some green apples on the nose, followed by a citrus, more nectarine and green apple acidity on the palate.

">" data-atex-up="">It's a really nice change from sauvignon blanc and would work nicely with a chicken salad or maybe some garlicky, pan-fried prawns.

">" data-atex-up="">Staying with recent releases from KWV, one of South Africa's largest wine producers, and for those who really can't bear not to have a bottle of sauvignon blanc in the fridge, try " data-atex-up="">KWV Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 (Morrisons £8.50 on offer at £6.50 until August 22)" data-atex-up="">.

">" data-atex-up="">It's from one of the Cape's cooler vine-growing regions and this is a nice example, in a slightly more restrained style then most New Zealand examples.

">" data-atex-up="">Very fresh, the bouquet has grapefruit, a touch of tropical fruit and green herbs.

">" data-atex-up="">The palate is nicely balanced with zesty acidity and a reasonably long finish.

">" data-atex-up="">It's good value, particularly on offer, so try this with a Thai green curry or perhaps a really good fish and chips.

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">">n"> Alistair Gibson is proprietor of Hermitage Cellars, Emsworth. Call (01243) 431002 or e-mail [email protected].