One of the best things about this time of year is when the signs appear at the end of dusty tracks around Sussex for fresh asparagus. If you take your local and seasonal food seriously like me then you will know all about the joys of buttery steamed Jersey royals, quickly cooked asparagus and hollandaise sauce. But what to drink with this early summer classic?
The wine and food pairing gurus suggest Sauvignon Blanc, particularly a cool climate, herbaceous version from the Loire valley as this seems to partner the asparagus so well. Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé are great choices if you are looking to impress a business client but you can save the pennies by choosing a Touraine Sauvignon or a wine from a lesser known village appellation like Quincy, Reuilly or Menetou Salon. There’s no need to stick to Sauvignon either as there are plenty of zingy, grassy whites out there from other grape varieties.
You can match your Sussex asparagus with something closer to home with an English dry white wine such as the excellent Davenport Vineyards Horsmonden Dry White 2013 (Butlers Wine Cellar, Quaff Wines – both in Brighton £13), Albourne Estate Bacchus 2014 (South Downs Cellars, Hurstpierpoint and Lindfield £12.95), Kingscote Vineyards Bacchus 2014 (The English Wine Centre, Alfriston £19) or Bolney Pinot Gris (Waitrose £16).
