Loureiro Vinho Verde Ponte de Lima is exactly the bottle you’ll want to reach for when the temperature rises and you’re craving something refreshing, yet still full of character to pair with your seafood. If you enjoy Assyrtiko or Chablis, then Loureiro Vinho Verde Ponte de Lima from Portugal is tailor-made for you. Add to that its remarkable value for money and its low alcohol (just 11.5%), meaning fewer calories, and it quickly becomes an effortless choice. And if you need any further persuasion, it’s worth noting that in recent years  this wine has been turning heads at Decanter—this year alone achieving an impressive 94 points.

Loureiro Vinho Verde Ponte de Lima comes from the Lima sub-region of Vinho Verde in Northern Portugal, a lush, green town (and the oldest in the country) strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, where freshness and vibrancy are deeply embedded in the DNA of its wines. Behind it stands Adega Cooperativa de Ponte de Lima, a historic cooperative winery founded in 1959 that works with around 2,000 growers. The region itself is relatively modest economically, which makes the cooperative a vital source of income for the local community. In fact, each year they even take grapes they may not necessarily need, simply to support local growers—sometimes selling them on or supplying young, emerging wineries to help nurture the region’s winemaking future.

Loureiro Vinho Verde Ponte de Lima is made from 100% Loureiro, a variety that has found its perfect microclimate in Ponte de Lima, producing wines of purity, aromatic intensity and superb balance. It’s worth noting that Adega Ponte de Lima was among the pioneers in vinifying Loureiro as a single varietal within Vinho Verde. Winemaking here is all about preserving freshness and fruit: controlled fermentation at low temperatures and ageing in stainless steel tanks ensure nothing masks the true varietal character.

If you’ve made it this far, we think you already know what to do (go on, put it in your basket!).