Easter Fizz

If the weather is set fair for this Easter weekend, and there is the opportunity to enjoy the year’s first glass outside at some point, then what could be better than a glass or two of a delicious sparkling rosé.

The small collection of bubbly lined up here should meet a variety of briefs, depending on the occasion. These wines are available from many merchants and retailers, so the prices here are just a representation of price and store:

Langlois-Chateau 'Classique' Crémant de Loire, Rosé, Brut NV

Majestic - £14.99 - mix of six

This property has been a subsidiary of Bollinger since the early 70s, and was originally founded in 1887. Pale in colour, there is a very delicate fragrance of strawberries and raspberries on the nose, with lightly refreshing red fruits mingled with balanced acidity on the palate. Sitting outside with this as your aperitif, nibbling a few morsels of smoked fish would be a perfect start to lunch. Made from predominately Cabernet Franc with a touch of Pinot Noir.

Nyetimber Rosé NV

Waitrose - £43.00

This blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Pinot Meunier comes from Sussex. Cherries and strawberries abound in this full-bodied, slightly spicy, vibrant wine with great length, structure and vitality. It is extremely drinkable. The colour is slightly more salmon-pink than a Provence rosé hue. Interestingly, Nyetimber are one of very few English properties beginning to be regularly evaluated by the international wine critics, and their delightful winemaker, Cherie Spriggs, is recognised as one of the world’s top sparkling winemakers. Perfect for the crab sandwich, or the pan-fried John Dory.

Champagne Louis Roederer, Rosé, Brut 2015

Berrys - £69.00

This is really classy stuff and it is almost too young to be drinking at the moment as it will age to perfection over the next decade. However, forget those sentiments, gently take out the cork and just enjoy this wonderfully constructed wine. Rich, full-bodied, with layers and layers of flavours: hints of raspberries, pink grapefruit, biscuits, watermelon and light lemons. It is a wonderful creation. Lobster, poached salmon, or monkfish in a rich sauce would hit the mark rather well.