Seasonal recommendations by Twickenham wine expert Lisa Johnston (thewinemuse)

Bring on the longer sunny days. The fresh new growth and abundant blossoms. And, with those blossoms, comes the need for slightly lighter, yet still intense flavours and less heftily bodied wines.

Added to that is the joy of being able to be outside enjoying those rather heady scents of Spring. Particularly if you have found a sun trap somewhere, whether it be your own back yard or in a beer garden. It really is an indication that it is time to bring out the fragrantly-perfumed whites and more elegantly-styled reds.

Here is some fresh inspiration…

The local choice

Chapel Down Flint Dry White

Flint Dry is a white blend from Chapel Down, one of the UK's best known wine producers. The wine is picked from vineyards in Kent, Essex and Sussex. With a base of 60% Chardonnay, it also has a very wide range of grape varieties added to the blend.

This is a dry English white wine offering up a satisfying fruitiness, and is fresh and crisp. Fresh blossoms, grapefruit and peachy stone fruit waft out of the glass. It is a well-balanced wine and the melon ripeness on the finish is worth lingering over.

What to drink it with?

It's fresh acidity and intensity is a good match with fresh seafood, or maybe a goat's cheese and pear tart.

Where to buy it

Majestic, 92 Cross Deep (£13)

The Organic choice

Santa Julia Organic Torrontes

To me, Torrontes is a white grape variety that typifies the freshness of Spring.

Santa Julia is one of the Zuccardi family's estates, with Julia Zuccardi at the head.

Their Organic Torrontes is a dry wine but has plenty of sweet ripe nectarine and peach fruit. This fruitiness is further enhanced by some heady floral spice, underlined with a line of citrus.

It is a great wine to share with friends and then take to the table for lunch or dinner.

What to drink it with?

Grilled scallops drizzled with chilli oil would be great. So too a carmelised onion quiche.

Where to buy it

Waitrose, 50 London Road (£9.50)

Something a little special

Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir

This is a rather elegant Pinot, and a tasty introduction to Marlborough Pinot Noir.

This wine has drippingly-ripe cherry fruit, bolstered with sweet vanilla. This ripeness is offset with a pinch of thyme and some earthiness. The long supple finish shows some bright raspberry fruit as well.

What to drink it with?

Classic matches are duck and Spring lamb, but this wine is versatile and would be great with a dark-coloured fish with a spiced crust.

Where to buy it: Majestic, 92 Cross Deep (£19)

Visit Lisa's website winemusing.com for more great wine suggestions…. whatever the weather.