The Enthusiast - November 2023
Well, the leaves are falling here in Portugal and the air’s a bit chilly now, so for our Glass Half Full Club Members we’ve got some selections that will bring some warmth and cheer to your evenings (or mornings?!?) . Light a fire, pop the cork and read about the wines in the descriptions below, and if you really like one you can order more of it from The Cellar.
Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive.
Luis Pato, Maria Gomes
[grape/vintage] Maria Gomes / 2016
[region] Bairrada
Look up value for money in the dictionary and it says “Luis Pato”. The guy just knows how to bottle it. This is one of the best, most-drinkable table whites you’ll find. It’s a fruit orchard wrapped in a lemon slice and filtered through decades of good living.
Our sommelier describes it thus: deep citrus aroma with hints of green apple, peach and honeydew melon. Green apple again in the mouth with a touch of tropicals and lime. A quick and easy mineral finish.
Pairs well a fresh grilled sea bream à bulhão pato, clams in a rich garlicky broth or a big outdoor garden party.
Bairrada produces wines with high acidity and tannins, often aged in oak barrels to soften the tannins and develop complex flavors. The region’s soil is predominantly clay and limestone, which helps to retain moisture and gives the wines a distinct minerality.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Terras de Lava, Merlot
[grape/vintage] Merlot / 2020
[region] Açores, Ilha do Pico
It’s pretty hard to find a wine from Pico Wines that we don’t like and this Merlot is no exception. It’s bloody good. Subtle, deep and light all at the same time, it perfectly balances this classic French grape with the rugged landscape and ocean winds of the island. Savor it on your palate. Drink in those vulcanic afternotes and hear the waves crashing on the rocky shore.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: rich ruby colour with a wonderfully complex nose of wild berry. Subtle hints of pepper wrapped delicately in a light smokiness. An elegant palate, with good acidity and smoothness for a long finish.
We suggest pairing this with white or red meats, mature cheeses, or drink late into the festive evening alongside your mince pies or Christmas (aka. any-December-holiday-of-your-choice) cake.
As for Açorean wines, Ilha do Pico is truly a special terroir. The wine industry on the island (and across the Açores) is small but growing, and the local government is supporting the re-planting of historic vineyards in the rich, volcanic soils. Very worth keeping an eye on or just go there and check it out for yourself!
Check it out in The Cellar.
Terra D'Alter, "AB"
[grape/vintage] Alicante Bouschet / 2020
[region] Alentejo
Like spending an evening with an old friend after years apart…easy, fun and full of stories. This classic Alicante Bouschet speaks of the Alentejo soil warming in the late summer sun, ripening berries and plums, and has legs wrapped in dark chocolate.
Our sommelier has this to say about it: intense notes of black fruit and spices, with obvious floral nuances. Fresh and dried plums, excellent acidity and structure. Rich, silky tannins. Pleasant and very long finish with notes of chocolate and vanilla.
This wine is pretty versatile. Try it with a classic pepperoni pizza, a veal milanese, a sunday roast or a dark chocolate cake drizzled in rasberry coulis.
The Alentejo covers a large area and is characterized by its hot, dry summers and mild winters. The vineyards are planted on rolling hills and plains, and the soils are predominantly made up of granite, schist and limestone. Its wines are known for their full-bodied flavors and rich, earthy tones.
Check it out in The Cellar.