Albariño
Easy to say and definitely easy to drink, Albariño is a light, refreshing, white peach and apricot-edged wine that is soft enough to drink on its own or can easily accompany fish, shellfish, salads and, at a push, chicken and vegetarian dishes.
Originally from the wet and breezy top left-hand corner of Spain known as Rías Baixas, it is grown on pergolas to catch the breeze and resist disease.
The posts holding up these pergola wires are made of local granite and they glint in the sunlight and absorb the daytime heat.
Other regions around the world are starting to grow Albariño, with New Zealand, South Africa and California making the most progress.
Viña Taboexa 2018, Rías Baixas, £8.79, Waitrose: Soft, aromatic peachy aromas lead into tangerine-zest and lime flavours. Left Field Albariño 2019, Gisborne, New Zealand, York Wines, £13.75: New Zealand has embraced Albariño with enthusiasm and is making some serious wines. With slightly riper flavours, positive peach notes, melon and lime freshness, this is well worth seeking out.
Pazo Señorans Albariño 2018, Rías Baixas, Latitude Wine, £19.50: Most Albariño wines are best enjoyed young, but this producer makes wines that can keep, developing savoury complexity along the way. The 2018 is showing well now, with nectarine and white floral notes. Mar de Frades Albariño Atlantico 2019, Rías Baixas, Harvey Nichols, £22: Chill this bottle down before drinking and a boat appears on the label when it reaches the right temperature. With that, the blue bottle and the picture of Atlantic
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waves, this wine really does tell you that it is perfect for matching with seafood. Crisp and fresh with apple, peach and lemon notes a rounded, mouth-filling texture and a touch of sea-salt on the finish.