As asparagus, peas and fresh herbs return to the table, early spring becomes one of the trickiest times of year to match wine with food. Green vegetables, in particular, can clash with heavier, overly oaked, or highly alcoholic styles, making freshness and restraint far more important at this time of year.
In recent years, warmer and sunnier early spring conditions have brought the British Asparagus season forward, with some producers now harvesting as early as March. Asparagus only begins to grow once soil temperatures reach around 10°C, but once conditions are right, spears can grow rapidly, up to 10cm a day at peak season. This shift means asparagus, and the challenge of pairing it, is arriving earlier for those looking for spring wines.
Our guide to the new season recommends wines that lean towards higher acidity, moderate alcohol, and clean, unoaked profiles, and fresh, mineral whites remain some of the most reliable choices at this time of year, particularly when paired with green vegetables.
For Asparagus and Greens (where wine pairing is hardest)
High-acid, mineral whites are not just preferable here, they are often essential. Without enough freshness, wines can taste flat or metallic alongside vegetables like asparagus.
Chablis remains one of the most reliable, and often the best, matches for asparagus, thanks to its combination of high acidity, subtle fruit and mineral structure.
Calvet Chablis
Precise, mineral and restrained, with crisp acidity and a clean finish, a benchmark style for pairing with asparagus and delicate spring vegetables.
£21, Ocado
Food Pairing: simply grilled asparagus with butter or hollandaise
Retail Link: https://www.ocado.com/products/calvet-chablis/265743011
Calvet Sauvignon Touraine
Bright, citrus-led and classically Loire in style, with the acidity needed to handle challenging green flavours.
£10, Ocado
Food Pairing: asparagus and pea risotto, goat’s cheese salads and dishes with fresh herbs like mint and chives
Retail Link: https://www.ocado.com/products/calvet-touraine-sauvignon-blanc/254284011
Calvet Muscadet
Clean, saline and lightly mineral, offering a restrained profile that works particularly well with delicate spring dishes.
£9 Tesco, £8.50 Co-op
Food Pairing: steamed asparagus, Jersey Royal potatoes and simple white fish and seafood, particularly oysters.
Retail Links: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/304395677 / https://www.coop.co.uk/products/calvet-muscadet-789501
JP Chenet Sauvignon Blanc
Crisp, straightforward and reliably fresh, making it a safe option for simple vegetable-led plates.
£7.50, Tesco
Food Pairing: green salads, grilled courgette, pea pasta and light vegetable dishes
Retail Link: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/257439479
For Herbs, Salads and Soft Cheeses
Dishes built around herbs and lighter textures call for wines with balance and subtlety rather than intensity.
Moillard-Thomas Bourgogne Aligoté
Sharp, citrus-driven and deliberately uncomplicated, a classic spring white that works better with food than on its own.
£16, Majestic (£14 Mix Six)
Food Pairing: goat’s cheese tart, asparagus quiche and herby vegetable dishes
https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/moillard-thomas-aligote-64645
Calvet Pinot Blanc Alsace
Gently rounded with soft orchard fruit, offering enough texture to sit comfortably alongside soft cheeses and herb-led dishes.
£12.25, Ocado
Food Pairing: roast chicken, potato salad, broad beans and soft-rind cheeses
https://www.ocado.com/products/calvet-alsace-pinot-blanc/214152011
La P’tite Pierre White
Light, unfussy and adaptable, particularly suited to informal spring dining and mixed lighter plates
£7.50 Tesco, £7.25 Morrisons (25% off 6)
Food Pairing: picnic-style spreads, simple sandwiches, salads and cold roast chicken
Retail Links: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/314823502 / https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/la-p-tite-pierre-white/113816735
Great All-Rounders
When dishes vary, or when cooking is more relaxed, wines that can move easily across a meal become the most useful.
Calvet Réserve Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc
A slightly fuller style, balancing freshness with enough weight to work across a broader range of dishes.
£10, Waitrose. £9.29 Tesco
Food Pairing: grilled chicken, salmon, asparagus tarts or spring vegetable gratins
Retail Links: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/calvet-reserve-sauvignon-blanc-bordeaux-france/588885-83473-83474 (25% off 6+ bottles) / https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/330722095
Calvet Cuvée du Cap Sauvignon Blanc
Clean, dependable and fruit-forward, making it a reliable choice when versatility matters.
£8.75 Co-op, £9.25 Waitrose, £9.50 Ocado
Food Pairing: roast vegetables, mixed salads, courgette dishes or sharing plates with herbs and greens
Reatil Links: https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/calvet-bordeaux-cuvee-du-cap-sauvignon-blanc/017879-8666-8667 (25% off 6+ bottles) / https://www.ocado.com/products/calvet-cuvee-du-cap-sauvignon-blanc/26112011
For Cooler Spring Evenings (a lighter red option)
As temperatures shift, lighter reds with softer tannins provide a natural transition away from winter styles.
Calvet Varietal Merlot Pays d’Oc
Soft, supple and fruit-forward, with gentle structure, best served slightly below room temperature to retain freshness.
£11, Ocado
Food Pairing: roast chicken, lamb chops, grilled vegetables and mushroom dishes
https://www.ocado.com/products/calvet-varietals-merlot/379351011