Hosted a dinner for some friends over the weekend. The menu was light and summery (wishful thinking as it rained): seafood and fish. The challenge was getting a wine to match and possibly enhance the mood during dinner. Success!

Vinho verde grapes are grown close to the sea 50-50 from Pedernã and Loureiro varieties. Loureiro means laurel in Portuguese suggesting that the aroma of their berries is similar to that of bayleaves and laurel flowers. Pedernã adds freshness, lime and green apple flavours. 

Appearance: white straw in colour at 11% alcohol
Intensity: light and fresh from the sea
Flavours: lime, lemon, green apple with laurel and lime flowers
Best enjoyed: cold by itself on summer nights or as a fairhful partner to shellfish/seafood

Where to get it from:

Majestic has a special offer, two bottles for £5.99 each
http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/product-is-15103

The Wine Society stocks it by the bottle (£6.95) or by the case (12 at £6.08 per bottle)
http://www.thewinesociety.com/(S(1k2vkw45bycwcu55spm40u55))/shop/productdetail.aspx?section=pd&pd=PW3741&prl=STD&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

Ocado sells it by the bottle at £7.29 and gives it 4 out of 5 stars
http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Quinta-de-Azevedo-Vinho-Verde-2010/43142011

Had dinner at some friends' house last week, an opportunity to share good wine. My friends are Korean and I wanted to bring something typically Spanish. Came across Waitrose's special offer for the Baron de Ley Rioja, Reserva 2008 at £8.29. 

This is a good chance to sample the traditional flavours and subtleness on which Rioja has built its name, at a fraction of the price that you would pay for similar quality.

Baron de Ley is the winery behind Tesco's Finest Viña Mara with some of the most delicious riojas in the market. Tesco gives it a generous 4.5 stars out of 5, which is not surprising as the wine is excellent.

Appearance: attractive red ruby colour
Intensity: medium to high
Flavours: strawberry, coconut, spices and toffee, rounded up with silky vanilla ( as a result of spending 20 months in oak)
Best enjoyed: by itself or with red meats, lamb or steak

Not easy to get hold of online, here is what i found:

The best offer is either buying directly at Waitrose or online via Ocado. Reduced from £12.49 down to £8.29 till the 21st May. 
http://www.waitrosedirect.com/product/baron-de-ley-rioja-reserva/714803

As I write this Waitrose has gone "out of stock", still available on Ocado (limited to 20 bottles) at £8.29
http://www.ocado.com/webshop/product/Baron-de-Ley-Reserva-Rioja/64288011

You can order from Vinissimus at £8.63 per bottle
http://www.vinissimus.co.uk/en/vinos/tinto/detalle_vino.html?id_vino=bleyr08

Tesco Finest Viña Mara Rioja, Reserva2008 at £9.99 per bottle
http://www.tesco.com/wine/product/details/default.aspx?searchBox=Baron+de+ley&search.x=0&search.y=0&id=261787141