seafood Archives - It Must Be Wine O'clock

A light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde wine from the west coast of Portugal

A light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde from the west coast of Portugal

Atlantique Vinho Verde 2023 (Portugal)

Portugal has a number of indigenous grape varieties which make it an interesting wine region to explore. This light, aromatic and elegant Vinho Verde wine from the west coast of Portugal is a case in point. It’s a blend of Loureira, Arinto, Treixadura and Avesso grapes and has a slight sparkling sensation that enhances its freshness.

Pale lemon in colour, with lemon and green apple on the nose and lemon, pear, peach and a hint of honey on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing wine with a mineral note on the finish.

Perfect by itself on a sunny afternoon, or paired with fish, other seafood dishes or salads.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.25)

A bright, fresh wine from Western Sicily

A bright fresh wine from Western Sicily

Isola della Fiamma, Grillo 2023 (Sicily, Italy)

A bright, fresh wine from Western Sicily, produced from a blend of Grillo (80%) and Zibibbo (20%) grape varieties, combining the crisp, citrus flavours of the former with the more floral attributes of the latter.

With fresh, fragrant aromas of orange-blossom, almond and peach on the nose and flavours of citrus fruit, honey, peach and apricot on the palate, this is a wine with refreshing acidity, a round mouthfeel and a lingering finish that offers very good value for money.

A wine that can be enjoyed by itself, or as an excellent match for salads, or a seafood or chicken dish.

Available from The Wine Society (£7.50)

Looking for something different? Try this Grüner Veltliner from Austria …

Funkstille Grüner Veltliner, Niederösterreich 2023 (Austria)

Grüner Veltliner is the most widely-planted native grape variety grown in Austria, particularly in Lower Austria (Niederösterreich) and Burgenland, and typically a Grüner Veltliner wine is crisp and fresh, thanks to its naturally high acidity.

A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this Funkstille Grüner Veltliner has aromas of green apple, grapefruit and pear on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon, and citrus fruits on the palate. It’s a very pleasant wine to drink by itself, or as an ideal match for a salad or seafood dish. It will also pair perfectly with a Wiener Schnitzel!

Available from Cambridge Wine Merch ants (£14)

A refreshing Riesling from the banks of the Mosel

Max Ferd. Richter Estate Riesling 2022, Mosel (Germany)

With honeysuckle, jasmine and apple on the nose, and apple, gooseberry, pear and a hint of honey on the palate, this refreshing Riesling from vineyards along the Mosel demonstrates excellent quality and value.

The residual sugar and fruity acidity are well-balanced and the wine has a clean, lingering finish.

It is a wine that can be enjoyed as a refreshing apéritif or with seafood, chicken or a salad dish. It will also go well with Asian cuisine.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£15.99)

A delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California

A delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California.

Dark Horse Chardonnay 2021 (California)

This is a delightful, refreshing Chardonnay from California. It is a rich, mellow wine with aromas of vanilla, peach and pear on the nose, and flavours of honey, nectarine and caramel on the palate.

The rich, buttery mouthfeel is nicely balanced by the wine’s crisp acidity, all leading to a smooth, lingering finish, and the oak ageing adds a hint of smokiness to the wine.

Enjoy by itself or with a creamy seafood or chicken dish, or a mushroom risotto. It will also pair well with a creamy curry, or a mild goat cheese.

Available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose (£9-£10)

A new discovery from Italy

Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Discovery, Verdeca 2022 (Puglia)

This dry white Verdeca made from grapes grown in Puglia in the heel of Italy is part of Sainsbury’s new Discovery selection. Although the grape variety is not very well-known, it is an interesting aromatic wine to explore.

With rose blossom, honey and citrus notes on the nose, and flavours of lemon and peach on the palate, this is a refreshing wine with a smooth, rich, almost buttery, mouthfeel and a lingering finish.

This is a very good value wine which is perfect as an apéritif and also pairs well with a seafood, chicken or creamy pasta dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.50)

A rich, flavourful Chardonnay from SE Australia

PepperBox Chardonnay 2022 (South Eastern Australia)

Though an oaked Chardonnay may not be to everyone’s taste, this PepperBox Chardonnay from the Casella winery in New South Wales, is a very good wine.

With pineapple, mango and vanilla aromas on the nose, and tropical fruits on the palate, this is a wine with plenty of character, a creamy mouthfeel, and a smooth buttery finish.

It can be enjoyed by itself, or with a seafood or poultry dish.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£9)

A refreshing Grüner Veltliner from Hungary

Little Cricket Grüner Veltliner 2021 (Hungary)

Though Grüner Veltliner is perhaps best known as Austria’s signature grape, this very good wine from neighbouring Hungary is a fine example of this grape variety.

This is a refreshing, crisp wine with aromas of green apple and pear on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon, citrus fruits and a hint of pepper on the palate. A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this is a very agreeable wine to drink by itself, or as an ideal match for a salad or seafood dish. It will also go well with a slightly spicy Asian dish.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£8.99)

A refreshing, aromatic Bacchus from Kent

Chapel Down Bacchus 2022 (Kent)

First established as a vineyard in 1977, Chapel Down in Kent has since undergone a number of iterations to become one of England’s leading wine producers.

An aromatic wine with notes of melon and citrus on the nose, and flavours of apple, melon and grapefruit on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing and well-balanced wine with a long finish.

Enjoy by itself or with seafood, salad or Thai food. It also pairs well with Wensleydale cheese. If you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, why not give Bacchus a try!

Available from Grape Britannia (£16.99)