A huge part of the enjoyment of wine comes from revelling in its wonderful aromas – and this applies to both whites and reds.
But while there are fragrant red wines (Syrahs from Cornas in France, for example, often have a scented violet character), whites generally offer the most promising harvest niff-wise.
If you’re craving sweet perfumed moments, there’s one obvious region to consider: Alsace.
It’s a heartland of wonderful aromatic whites, with Muscat, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer all offering fragrant thrills – Muscat tends to be orangey, Pinot Gris more pear-like and Gewurz is a mass of turbo-injected rose fragrance.
But all over the world there are varieties that really tickle the nostrils.
I’ve recently been inspired by the fragrant wines of Stopham Vineyard in Sussex, from a gently floral Pinot Blanc to a superb Pinot Gris.
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Torrontés from Argentina offers aromatic flourishes similar to Gewurztraminer, but tends to be brighter and more lemony; it always makes me feel summery, even when there’s a snowdrift at my door.
And if it’s a richer kick you’re after, try Viognier, with peach- and apricot-style fruity scents.
Condrieu is its spiritual home, and Yalumba in Oz makes some first-rate examples, too.
If you’d prefer a more delicately scented white, hit France again for a peachy sip such as Marsanne – Asda’s French Marsanne 2011 is a steal at just £3.98.
Or there’s Picpoul de Pinet from southern France, with a breezy lemony freshness that works amazingly with shellfish.
And I love sipping delicately aromatic Albariño from north-west Spain as an aperitif (see below).
For more zesty fragrant wines, of course there’s Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough in New Zealand.
But I’d also give a shout out to Friulano wines from northern Italy, and an even bigger yell to Moschofilero from Greece (see below) – one of the most perfumed and refreshing grapes out there. Happy sniffing!