Whatever the weather

I could just turn up the heating, but my last gas bill was so huge that I decided to sacrifice degrees of temperature for degrees of alcohol and now I can afford to drink much better wine, as long as I wear extra layers and thick socks.

This means that my tastebuds can’t decide whether it is winter or summer. In the garden, they have a yearning for something crisp and dry, but as soon as I step inside they like the idea of a warming red wine with dinner.

So, to cope with this tastebud challenge and bearing in mind the current fashion for belt tightening, here is a range of wines, all under a tenner which should suit the activities of springtime, depending on the setting of your central heating.

A wander round the flower beds

Grab a glass of something crisp and dry for an afternoon stroll around the flowers beds, while you admire the tulips and revel in the scent of spring blossom.

Cuvée de Richard Blanc 2010, Comté Tolosan, Majestic £4.76: There is a new vintage of this bargain basement white at Majestic and the normal price is so keen that it rarely goes on offer. Packed with light, crisp, citrus notes it captures spring sunshine in the glass.

Vin de Pays du Gers 2010, Marks and Spencer, £4.29: Fresh and lively fruit at a price that won’t damage the budget. It is really good as an aperitif, and might even cope with a salad but it will lose its impact with bigger flavours.

Asda Argentinian Torrontés 2010, £5.18: Light, floral and with a touch of spice this is in the same flavour category as Gewurztraminer, just lighter, fresher and a great deal cheaper. Drink it on its own or with a sliver of smoked salmon.

Greenhouse slurping

Light evenings make it possible to potter around in the greenhouse, even when the garden is chilly. A glass of the following should keep you going until supper.

Manzanilla, Marks and Spencer £5.99: With crisp, almost sea-salty zestiness this is always a terrific drink at sun-down. Keep a bottle in the fridge for refreshing the tastebuds at the end of the day. Perfect with salty snacks such as almonds, ham and crisps.

Torres Viña Esmeralda 2010, Spain, Waitrose reduced to £5.69 until 26 April: An unusual blend of grapes from Spain with Moscatel providing juicy, freshly-crushed grape flavours, boosted by zippy, fragrant honey and spice notes from a splash of Gewurztraminer. It comes from cooler, high altitude vineyards in Catalonia, from Torres, one of Spain’s most dynamic and forward-thinking wineries.

Paul Mas Marsanne 2010, Asda £6.97: This white grape from the Rhône has been transplanted in the sun-soaked Languedoc where it produces delicious, rounded wines with touches of honeysuckle, peach, jasmine and honey shot through with a distinct minerally streak. It is perfectly good on its own, but is big enough to carry through to supper. It has seen the inside of an oak barrel but that just adds complexity not splinters.

Paradiso Sauvignon Blanc 2010, Chile, Marks and Spencer £4.99 until 2 May: The crisp, green-edged flavours of Sauvignon Blanc become more intense and vibrant in springtime as the smell of freshly cut grass and crushed leaves echo the fragrance in the wine. Great as an aperitif, but it can accompany anything from a fish and chip supper to a creamy fish pie.

One more jumper

The sun has headed over the yard-arm but it is still too light and much too enjoyable to go inside, so put on an extra jumper and grab a glass of rosé or a red to tide you over until suppertime.

Asda Beaujolais 2009, £4.37: Astonishing value for money in this raspberry and redcurrant-packed wine. No thought-provoking complexity, just simple, lively juicy fruit and terrific refreshing flavours.

Marquis de Pennautier Rosé 2010, Cité de Carcassonne, Majestic, £5.99 on multibuy: A three-way blend of Syrah, Grenache and Malbec giving a deeper, fuller style of rosé, suitable for evenings when there is still a chill in the air.

Navarra Rosado 2010, Spain, Marks and Spencer £6.99: A new addition to the shelves at M&S and full of freshly-squeezed raspberry and plum flavours. Made from dry-farmed Garnacha grapes to give more concentrated flavours.

Tasmanian Pinot Noir 2009, Marks and Spencer, £9.99: From Tasmania’s most established winemaker, Andrew Pirie, this has pure red cherry fruit, with clean bright freshness.

Thick socks drinking

When it is time to go inside and bizarrely, add more layers of clothing, then it is time to pull the cork on something that will warm the toes.

Casillero del Diablo Cabernet Sauvignon 2009, Chile, Waitrose down at £5.99 until 26 April: No apologies for mentioning this wine yet again since this brand consistently over-delivers. The Cabernet is smooth, elegant and has enough structure to accompany any red meat pasta dish or just a hunk of cheese.

Mitico Old Vines Garnacha 2009, Campo de Borja, Spain, Asda £6.20: Another terrific value wine from Asda, this one has rich, red fruit with soft, gluggable tannins and just a hint of spice on the finish. An easy-drinking wine that would be welcome at supper-time any day of the week.

Alain Grignon Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2009, Majestic £6.99: Old vines give concentrated flavours and this wine combines black cherry and red berry fruit with a soft perfume and just a hint of vanilla oak. Great with a simple supper of charcuterie and cheese.

Crows Fountain Shiraz Merlot Pinotage 2009, South Africa, Marks and Spencer £7.99: A new vintage of this wine from skilled winemaker Jeff Villiera who manages to combine this strange mix of grapes into a smooth integrated wine with creamy red berry fruit and just enough savoury complexity to lift it above the rest.