AH, summer breeze makes me feel fine... Especially when there’s a white wine flowing and the crustacea stalls are brimming with shellfish, oysters and crabs.
Think chequered tablecloths, the clinking of glasses, a bowl of lemony mayonnaise and your favourite fish dish rekindling thoughts of sun-drenched beaches in faraway lands.
Against the backdrop of a blue sky and promise of a balmy forecast, our ice buckets are prepped for something bright and breezy, or fruity and tropical that work wonders with seafood. Here are seven bottles that fit the bill...
1 SPAR Languedoc Blanc 2017, France (currently reduced to £6.50 from £7, SPAR, in store only)
A Mediterranean white that’s right on cue with soupe de poissons (fish stew), we love its floral character that lifts the fruity flavours of apricot, citrus and peach, with a spicy note on the tail and fleshiness that keeps the wine rich and round. Made by Paul Mas, it’s a lovely, inexpensive drop. Don’t forget the garlic toast.
2 Exquisite Collection Clare Valley Riesling 2017, Australia (£6.99, Aldi)
A dry riesling with grassy aromas, limey acidity and a streak of minerality that works so well with shrimp and a squeeze of lime (or any foods that have ‘green’ flavours, such as Thai seafood curry). But with sun-kissed apple, lime and lemony notes you might expect in a riesling from Down Under, there’s depth and intensity. Lots of fun and great value.
3 Taste the Difference Albarino 2016, Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain (£8.50, Sainsbury’s)
Spain’s answer to muscadet, the crisp, clean flavours of albarino (Galicia’s flagship grape) have a natural affinity for seafood, and this captures all the freshness that’s albarino’s calling card. A brisk style with floral aromas, inviting peach and apricot notes, even some green apple and lime, well-balanced acidity and a zesty minerality makes it just the ticket with seafood tapas, grilled fish and even paella.
4 Dourthe No1 Sauvignon Blanc 2017, France (£8.50, The Wine Society)
A pioneer of dry, white Bordeaux, Dourthe are celebrating 30 years of their No1 label - and from the first sip, this delicious wine delivers ripened tropical and grapefruit flavours with much more purity, weight and energy than the price would suggest. A sophisticated and delicious choice with a seafood platter.
5 Fildefere Muscadet Chateau de Cleray 2017, Loire Valley, France (£9.95, FromVineyardsDirect.com)
If we need to school ourselves as to why muscadet is a natural bedfellow with oysters, it’s because the bright acidity, pure mineral character and light, lemony weight marries beautifully with a plate of half a dozen. Made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, while they can be neutral in a nice way, this one has some melony concentration and would be terrific with any type of shellfish.
6 Abbotts & Delaunay Fruits Sauvage Sauvignon Blanc 2017, South of France (£9.99, Majestic)
With a commitment to quality over quantity, Abbotts & Delaunay have sealed their reputation as a premium producer in the Languedoc. This new release sings from the glass and captures sauvignon blanc’s classic character - but with a roundness, complexity and blossomy, fruity freshness. Again, a perfect partner with fish stews, sardines, shellfish, grilled fish and, of course, fresh crab.
7 Anselmo Mendes Alvarinho 2017, Portugal (£13.49, Laithwaites)
A terrific introduction to Portuguese alvarinho (albarino) from the Vinho Verde region, this is a floral-edged, seriously stylish expression, with ripe peach, tropical fruits and a hint of lemon mingling on a silky palate with beams of freshness from beginning to end. The winemaker is cited as ‘the most innovative alvarinho producer’, and while it pairs equally well with sardines or grilled fish, this wine has an intensity that should really be appreciated on its own before you dive into the food.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel