Crisp value whites for long hot summer days
Looking for something crisp and refreshing to chill out with in the hammock in the summer heat? Try one of our picks from around the world.
Under £10 Sicily, Italy: Bendico Vermentino 2017
For the price, our tasters thought this herby Sicilian a brilliant buy. If you like your dry whites with herby floral aromas, slightly salty notes and rich, fat, sweet, fleshy fruits on the palate this really delivers for the price. £7.99, Virgin Wines, www. virginwines.co.uk
New South Wales, Australia: The Society’s Hunter Valley Semillon 2017
If you are looking for a lower alcohol alternative, Australia’s semillon ticks the box with its modest 11 per cent. I often find young Hunter semillons taste like battery acid they are so tart (they are better with bottle maturity) and short on the finish, but this unoaked example made by Brockenwood in Pokolbin is more approachable and zingy with a refreshing crispness. £8.95, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com
Tejo, Portugal: Lobo E Facao Branco 2017
If you normally drink lightly oaked chardonnay, you might well enjoy this expressive Portuguese blend. Made by Casal Branco from a blend of fernao pires, alvarinho and moscatel grapes, all three giving it vibrant aromas and a juicy gently spicy palate. £9.99, Laithwaites, www. laithwaites.co.uk
South Australia: Exquisite Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2016
Currently Aldi’s best unoaked chardonnay (I used to like their Limoux Chardonnay which is now sadly out of stock). It might be sold by a huge discounter chain, but it is made by family-run winery, Wakefield.
£5.79, Aldi
Vinho Verde, Portugal: Casal De Ventozela Alvarinho 2016
With its touch of vanilla and complexity from barrel fermentation alongside its bright citric appley fruits, this northern Portuguese alvarinho is one of the best available at this price. Make sure you buy the 100 per cent alvarinho as Majestic sell other cheaper vinho verde from the same producer.
£9.99/£11.99, Majestic Wine
Languedoc, France: Abbotts & Delaunay Sauvignon Blanc Fruits Sauvage 2017
This might sound like a men’s outfitters, but the name derives from winemaking pair Australian Nerida Abbot and Burgundy’s Laurent Delaunay. An easy drinking aperitif with light passion fruit and gooseberry notes, vibrant, creamy and fresh on the palate.
£7.99/£9.99, Majestic Wine
Under £15 Podrajve, Slovenia: Sipon Furmint 2016 Dveri-pax
Hungary’s furmint grape makes lighter, more delicate styles across the border on Stajerska’s steep vineyards in north west Slovenia. Benedictine monks at Admont Abbey make this excellent sipon (furmint’s Slovenian name). It does have high acidity, which is the nature of the grape, but it’s softer than many Hungarian examples. Steely and vibrant with poised grapefruit flavours and great length for the price. Good value. £10.95, The Wine Society, www.thewinesociety.com
Walker Bay, South Africa: Bosman Family Vineyards Hemel & Aarde Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Beautifully made blend of sauvignon blanc with semillon from the upper part of Hemel and Aarde overlooking Walker Bay at the foothills of Babylonstoren mountains. Shows how good Cape whites can be with their winning combination of herby floral notes, rich honeyed mouthfeel, mineral hints and vibrant, fresh natural acidity. £12.50, Woodwinters, Edinburgh & Bridge of Allan, www.woodwinters.com
Languedoc, France: Les Hauts De Morin Langaran Picpoul De Pinet 2017
Picpoul used to be sent off to the vermouth blending vats before it became trendy. Now the lip-stinger, as this high acid grape is called, is sought after for its vibrant refreshing floral scented dry whites. This is a particularly good example, a zesty white with its hint of the sea to match seafood. £11.49, Laithwaites, www. laithwaites.co.uk
Crete: Assyrtiko 2017 Domaine Lyrarakis
Assyrtiko is better known on nearby Santorini island, but Crete grows a few vines. Bart Lyrarakis is Crete’s current best producer who has rescued and rehabilitated unusual grapes on his high altitude 500 metre vineyards in eastern Crete. Very attractive grapefruity flavours and minerally undertones. £12.95, Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com
Piekernierskloof, South Africa: Old Blocks Chenin Blanc 2016 Tierhoek
Roger Burton at pioneering Tierhoek winery north of Cape Town in the vineyards of Piekernierskloof makes this wonderfully minerally complex chenin blanc. A delightful combination of zesty bright fruits and honeyed creamy palate. High scorer with our tasters. ■ £14.25, Berry Bros & Rudd, www.bbr.com
Join Rose’s Burgundy v New Zealand wine tasting and buffet at Abode Hotel, Bath Street, Glasgow on Friday 13 July, £42, www.rose murraybrown. com