Seafood is amongst the easiest foods to match to wine. Pick a crisp, dry white either still or sparkling, and you’re more or less there. Choose a Muscadet from the Loire, a Chablis from Burgundy, a Picpoul from the South of France or a Blanc de Blancs Champagne – and that’s just the top French options. You could have a Grechetto from Central Italy, or a Fiano from the south. An Albarino from Rias Baixas in Galicia in northern Spain, or a Malagousia from Greece would fit the bill. The new world (non-central European) top picks in my opinion would be a tasty Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (not too pungent, and with a good balance between the fruit and the acidity) or an unoaked Australian Chardonnay.
In short, you have lots of options. The commonality between them all is the balance between the fruit and the minerality. Some of the best to try this weekend are: Picpoul de Pinet Coteaux du Languedoc 2014 (M&S, £9). This zesty little beauty from the south of France is the epitome of all things crisp and acidic. It works with seafood, classic Caesar salad and moules frites.
Palacio de Fefinanes Albarino 2015 (Waitrose, £15.99). This is crisp and refreshing with attractive floral notes. It’s pricey for a good Albarino, but it is really good, so worth every penny. Try this with a classic fish paella.
Pietrariccia Fiano Surani 2015 (Majestic, £8.99). This is from Apuglia in the heel of Italy, and it’s a great wee wine for under a tenner. Wines of a similar quality from Avelino (nearer the Amalfi Coast) will cost a lot more. This is the bottle to have with pasta con vongole.
Gerovassiliou Malagousia 2013 (Inverarity One to One, £15.99). This is the perfect introduction to the wines of Greece. Enhanced skin contact, barrel contact and lees ageing all contribute to a greater depth of flavour and character in your glass. This is a lovely, lovely wine.
Yealands Estate Single Block Series S1 Sauvignon Blanc (M&S, £14.50). From the very groovy winemaker Tamara Washington, and from one of the most sustainable wineries on the planet, this is simply devine. An amazing wine, and perfect fodder for Sheila’s seafood from Skye.
Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street, Glasgow inverarity121.com
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