Solto Escola 2016, Vinho Verde, Portugal

Perfect on a warm summer’s eve; light, a mere 12%, and refreshing with vibrant citrus and peach fruits. Despite the lightness, it has good concentration and length. Great value for money too.

We drank this with some queen scallops simply seared with butter and lemon juice.

Vinho Verde has come on in leaps and bounds; these days fewer semi-sweet green herbaceous wines and more light succulent and concentrated versions that are perfect with shellfish. Anselmo Mendes seems to have a hand in just about everything that is going on in this part of Portugal. Not only does he have his own winery (available through Wines on the Green) but he advises a number of other producers too. Including this one.

€13.95 from Searsons, Monkstown, searsons.com; Brady’s, Shankhill, bradysshankhill.ie; Bradleys Off-licence, Cork, bradleysofflicence.ie; The Cinnamon Cottage, Cork, cinnamoncottage.ie; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock, jusdevine.ie; J.J. Fields, Skibbereen, fieldsofskibbereen.com; Lilac Wines, Dublin 3, lilacwines.ie; Martin’s Off Licence, Dublin 3, martinsofflicence.ie; Deveney’s, Dundrum; Objekt, Newcastle West, object.ie