Summer in a wine glass

LOVE albariño. Fresh, fruity and palate-cleansing, with a hint of minerality, it's the perfect white wine for warm summer evenings - as UK drinkers are increasingly discovering. Native to the Iberian Peninsula, it's fast become one of the world's most popular white wine grapes thanks to its clean taste and zesty acidity.

- by Matt Nixson

It's a thick-skinned grape, meaning it can survive and thrive in damp climates without falling prey to mould or rot. That makes it perfect for Spain's Rías Baixas region located in Galicia in the north west of the country, which has a maritime climate, with sea mists and moderate temperatures; and Portugal's Vinho Verde region, which is cool and humid and grows fabulous grapes, known as alvarinho. To keep them off the ground, vines are trailed up overhead trellises supported by granite posts rather than in the traditional rows typically seen in warmer, drier regions.

Outside of Spain and Portugal, albariño is grown most commonly in California, Australia and New Zealand with terrific results. Typically, albariños boast aromas of peaches and lemongrass and bright fresh flavours of citrus, lime, grapefruit and ripe stone fruits.