Fizz that's just as good as Champers but cheaper | Alistair Gibson

My thoughts turned to the spring, hopes of warmer weather, and some wines to pair with seasonal produce.

Until recently, Crémant was a style of sparkling wine that was virtually unknown outside of France, but sales are booming.

It is produced in the same method as Champagne in terms of going through their secondary fermentation in the bottle.

If you’ve yet to dip your toe in this fizz, Crémant du Jura 2016, Exquisite Collection (Aldi £8.49) not only tastes great but it’s fantastic value.

It is made from 100 per cent chardonnay in the Jura, which is one of France’s smallest wine regions and sits between Burgundy and Switzerland.

There are notes of green apple skins, lemon sherbet and a little toasty brioche on the bouquet, followed by some creaminess on the palate with spiced apples and some mid-palate weight before some fresh acidity on the finish.

This would make a lovely aperitif and at this price it would be easy to pour at a spring drinks party.

It is often said that in the UK the wines of Alsace are drunk more by the wine trade than by consumers, which is sad as there are so many brilliant wines being made in this eastern French region.

With spring around the corner it’s a great opportunity to try something new.

Pinot Gris 2017, Vin d’Alsace, Exquisite Collection (Aldi £7.69) is a lovely introduction to this style of wine.

The nose offers some tropical fruits, including a little pineapple and some smokey notes in the background, the fruit follows through on the medium bodied palate but there is enough acidity to keep everything fresh before a just off-dry finish.

Errazuriz Merlot 2019, Chile (Tesco, Asda and Ocado £9 – 2018 may still be on the shelves) is the sort of fresh, uncomplicated youthful red wine that will make a great accompaniment with some new season spring lamb.

From one of Chile’s most respected producers, around 70 per cent of the wine was aged in older oak barrels just to add a little spice, which appears on the nose along with some red berry fruit, followed by more of the same on the palate along with a little mocha and a nice fresh, fruit-driven finish.