Tomorrow, June 10th, is Portugal’s national day (and my dad’s birthday…). How about celebrating it with some va va Vinho Verde?

Quinta de Azevedo Vinho Verde 2011, Portugal (£6.75-£7.50 Waitrose, Oddbins, Majestic, Booths, The Wine Society)
Bracing mineral-laden youngster, with sprightly citrus and apple fruit, a yeasty bite and a tingling spine of briny minerality. Perfect summer seafood wine. B+

Soalheiro Alvarinho Vinho Verde 2011, Portugal (~£16-£17.50 Fortnum & Mason, Uncorked, Butlers Wine Cellar)
On the richer and rounder end of Vinho Verde, but still only 12.5% alcohol, this has a lovely mix of crisp lemon and Grannie Smiths apple with fleshier fruit such as pear, peach and chirimoya, all underpinned by precise briny minerality. S