Beers & wines of the week.

Byline: Tim Curran

The British asparagus season is coming into full flow and some beers go really well with these delectable spears. The crop's good this year, benefiting from the cold winter.

Asparagus and smoked ham quiche is good with Blue Moon (Sainsbury's, pounds 1.99 for 355ml), a dry North American craft beer that has subtle flavours of coriander and orange peel. This Belgian-style, cloudy wheat beer is a not-tooheavy 5.4% alcohol. One to savour. (***)

For grilled asparagus with smoked salmon, try Kasteel Cru (from pounds 1.99 for 330ml at Sainsbury's, Waitrose, Booths and some Tescos, 5.2% alcohol), a delicate French lager from Alsace, brewed using champagne yeast. So posh, they suggest you serve it in a champagne glass - and it works. Not for slaking a thirst. (****)

Of course, a British beer should go with British asparagus and Sneck Lifter (from pounds 1.51 for 500ml at Asda, Morrisons and Waitrose) is a rich, dark ale from the Lake District with aromas of oats and chocolate. A robust match for a creamy asparagus, tomato and watercress risotto. (***)

If you'd rather stick to white wine, try South African Tesco Finest Ken Forrester Chenin Blanc 2008 (Tesco, pounds 2.50 off at pounds 4.59 till May 17) (****).

If you're feeling patriotic, splash out on Chapel Down Bacchus 2006/7 from Kent (Waitrose, pounds 9.49) - fresh and crisp with a citrus quality that chimes well with asparagus. (****) RATINGS: ***

REAL CORKER 

GOOD VALUE ****

CLASSY *****