White wines for summer drinking shouldn't be too heavy, or too expensive. Here are some suggestions for sipping outdoors, writes JOHN WILSON
UNLESS YOU ARE hosting a special occasion, summer is not the time to open your finest wines. Sitting outside, it just doesn’t seem right; I find myself reaching for the less expensive, lighter white wines that will cool and refresh. The lower the alcohol the better. Unless there is food involved, try to find something at or under 13 per cent. All of this week’s wines are under €15, and most less than €12.
Domaine de la Chauvinière 2010, Muscadet de Sèvre Maine, 12%, €7.99This will provide the perfect libation to accompany a plate of crustaceans. Light, fresh, crisp and dry with lovely plump green apple fruits. Stockists: O'Briens
Torres Viña Sol 2009, Calatayud, 11.5%, €8.99One of my go-to wines when I need something fresh, light, fruity and uncomplicated. If you intend spending time in Spain this year, this is a fail-safe inexpensive wine for everyday drinking.Stockists: Widely available
Terre del Noce Pinot Grigio 2010, IGP Dolomiti, 12%, €9.50Decent, inexpensive Pinot Grigio is not easy to find, but this certainly hit the spot with my resident Pinot Grigio expert. It is light, fresh and zippy, with clean apple fruits; a great multi-purpose wine with or without food. Stockists: Mitchell Son, CHQ and Sandycove, mitchellandson.com; McDaniels Tavern Wine Shop, Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow; Marlay Wines, Rathfarnham
Domaine Desol 2009 Picpoul de Pinet, 12.5%, €9.99Picpoul is known as the Muscadet of the south in France, and provides a perfect accompaniment to a plate of seafood. This is made in the more traditional style and is light, refreshing and brimming with crisp lemon fruits. Stockists: Ardkeen Stores, Waterford; Donnybrook Fair; Cellars Wine Warehouse, Dublin 12; Barry's, Midleton, Co Cork; Stack's, Listowel; Adare Beverages, Galway city; The Parting Glass, Enniskerry
Wolf Blass Red Label Semillon Sauvignon 2010, 13%, €10.69Another ubiquitous wine that offers good, inexpensive summer drinking. The light, rounded melon fruits and nice freshness will please many. Stockists: Supervalu; Superquinn; Donnybrook Fair; McHugh's, Kilbarrack; Next Door, Harold's Cross; Lynch's, Glanmire; Eurospar, Schull
Cuvée Orélie 2010, IGP Ardèche, 12.5%, €9.50-€9.99This wine has featured here before, but I reckon it is one of the best-value, everyday bistro-style white wines in the country. It is light and refreshing with plump apple fruits and a crisp dry finish. What's not to like? Stockists: Wicklow Wine Co, wicklowwineco.ie; Red Island Wine, Skerries; On the Grapevine, Dalkey; Liston's, Camden Street; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Marlay Wine Shop, Rathfarnham; Mitchell's, Glasthule; Le Caveau, Kilkenny; Redmond's, Ranelagh; McHugh's, Kilbarrack and Malahide Road; Cases Wine Warehouse, Galway; wineshop.ie; Gibney's, Malahide; 64 Wine, Glasthule
Château Bauduc 2009, Bordeaux, 13%, €10.50(as part of a mixed case) This blend of Sauvignon and Sémillon has quite delicious pear and quince and stone fruit flavours, with a crisp, dry mineral edge. It isn't one of those overpowering Sauvignons, and all the better for it. Fantastic value. Stockist: fromvineyardsdirect.ie, 01-8457645
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2010, 12.5%, €10.99This is the kind of wine Italians do so well; light and crisp with fresh pear fruits and a dry finish. This would be great with anything fishy. Stockist: Marks Spencer
Grilos 2009, Dão, Portugal, 12.5%, €10.95-€11.95Portugal produces some excellent dry white wines, usually made from local grape varieties, in this case Encruzado and Cerceal Branco. This is smooth textured and clean, with rounded, light pear and peach fruits, finishing dry. Stockists: Gibney's Malahide; Redmond's, Ranelagh; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Martin's, Fairview; Pig Heifer, Dublin 2; Probus Wines, Fenian Street, Dublin 2; Wicklow Wine Co
Greco di Molise 2010 Di Majo Norante, 13%, €12.85Greco is a southern Italian grape variety, possibly introduced by the ancient Greeks, hence the name. This is a lovely wine, full of character and personality. It has a clean, mineral acidity, good length and some crisp pineapple and pear fruits. Stockist: Wines Direct, 1890-579579, winesdirect.ie
Château Charron, Blaye Côtes de Bordeaux 2009, 12.5%, €12.95A less exuberant style of Sauvignon, with restrained, slightly soapy green fruits and a crisp dry finish. It would be very good with all manner of fish and seafood. Stockists: Winetimes.ie
Domaine de la Renaudie Chenin Blanc 2009, Touraine, 12%, €12.95This is an immensely attractive wine, with a light nose that smells like a French fruit shop. It has plump fruit, with some subtle honey and beeswax on the palate. The finish is bone dry and there is plenty of crisp, racy acidity. Different, but definitely worth a try. Stockist: The Wine Store, thewinestore.ie, 1890-252624
Val de Vid Verdejo 2009, Rueda, 12.5%, €13Verdejo is a local speciality in Rueda that can taste uncannily like a good Sauvignon at times. I tasted this alongside a range of its peers, and it came out tops. A lovely fresh, aromatic nose, crisp grapefruit and pear fruits and a long dry finish. If you like Sauvignon, you'll like this. Stockists: The Vintry, Rathgar; The Parting Glass, Enniskerry; Next Door, branches nationwide; Fahy's, Ballina; Gibney's, Malahide; The Mill, Maynooth; Redmond's, Ranelagh; Lilac Wines, Fairview; On The Grapevine, Dalkey; Liston's Camden Street; Searson's, Monkstown
Val de Sil Montenovo 2010, Valdeorras, 12.5%, €14.95Made from the Godello grape, this is an absolutely delicious light wine with abundant pears and subtle herbs, in a uniquely different and delicious style. Succulent and moreish, this would make a great start to a posh lunch or dinner. Stockists: La Touche Wines, Greystones; Liston's, Camden Street; 64wine, Glasthule; Sweeney's, Glasnevin; Ennis's, SCR; Lilac Wines, Fairview; Red Island, Skerries; Jus de Vine, Portmarnock; Bin No9, Clonskeagh; Michael's Food Wine, Deerpark; The Wine Shop, Templeogue; On the Grapevine, Dalkey; Lilliput Stores, Arbour Hill