The Enthusiast - April 2024
Hooray for sunshine! Is this finally, truly the beginning of our Portuguese summer? Let’s hope so! Anyway, whatever the weather, you can rely on The Fellas to provide some good news, and we’ve got some excellent wines to bridge the gap from winter to warmth.
Descriptions below, and if you run out, you can order more from The Cellar.
Don’t forget, you can look up past boxes in The Archive.
Casa da Atela, Gewurztraminer
[grape/vintage] Gewurztraminer / 2021
[region] Tejo
You know when you see a bunch of sun-burnt Brits or Germans or Swedes on a beach in the Algarve? You’re just like, “Wow, they really don’t do well in the sun!”. Well, you’d think that was true about a grape like Gewürztraminer which is supposed to like hot climates. Think again. Chill this wine to about 10/11º. Pop it open, let it breath a few minutes, sip it in a nice tall glass and go bonkers for the floral notes of sweet violets, lychees and peaches, the gentle creamy caress in the mouth, the lingering slipperiness in the back of the throat. It’s an international holiday romance. Your welcome!
Our sommelier describes it thus: The wine presents itself with a citrine color and intense aromas of lemon balm, lychees and lime blossom with some hints of mint. The palate is fresh, balanced and unctuous, with a complex finish.
Pairs well with a big fat tuna steak or grilled salmon, some greasy pork dumplings with that sweet/sour dipping sauce, or maybe even a creamy blue cheese with slices of ripe pear.
Tejo (until 2009 called Ribatejo), is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in Portugal, the first vines here dating as far back as Roman times. The region is strongly influenced by the River Tejo which keeps the climate temperate, and along whose alluvial plains most vines are grown. White wines tend to have high acidity with floral and tropical notes; reds are aromatic with smooth tannins.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Zom Reserva Tinto
[grape/vintage] Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Vihas Velhas / 2020
[region] Douro
An old stone wall, creeping blackberry vines, a gnarled old oak tree. A steep, terraced hillside and far below, the dark and dusty Douro River. This is a classic Douro red, with a solid base of Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional but finished off with a mystery blend of old vine grapes. Open a wee bit chilled, then allow it to breathe and tell its story.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: Intense ruby color, with a complex aroma of wild red fruits, soft balsamic notes and spicy nuances. In the mouth it presents its well-balanced body and tannins, intense notes of fruit with a complex and prolonged finish.
We suggest pairing this with a t-bone steak, roast leg of lamb, venison stew, strong stinky cheese.
The wines of the Douro Valley, typically a blend of grape varieties, are known for their depth, complexity, and aging potential. The soil is predominantly schist, a type of metamorphic rock that retains heat and helps to ripen the grapes. The region’s unique terroir, combined with the use of indigenous grape varieties and traditional winemaking techniques, create wines that are rich, complex, and full of character.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Ribeiro Santo "Cimento"
[grape/vintage] Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Nacional / 2016
[region] Dão
An old quinta overlooks a rocky valley. You’ve just climbed 500m on your bicycle to get here. You’re sweaty and sore and exhilirated. What a view. You rest the bike up against a dry stone wall. You notice creepers along the wall, filled with bright red raspberries. You pop one in your mouth. OMG. The delicate tart sweetness. The juice wets your dry lips. You tilt your head to the sun. Pure heaven. It all combines in perfect balance. This wine is like that: juicy, refreshing, earthy and ancient all at the same time.
Our sommelier has this to say about it: Ruby color of medium concentration. Aroma of wild fruits and some spices. Even though it is from 2016, it maintains a freshness and young aromatic component. In the mouth rustic and with excellent acidity. No wood means it’s all fruit and delicate acidity. A balanced palate of red fruit, cherry compote, cassis. A wine that nicely represents the classic Dão wines.
Works well with pheasant stewed with plums, lamb tagine, or an aged manchego cheese with quince paste.
The Dão region, in the center of Portugal, is known for elegant, complex and full-bodied wines, with exceptional acidity and aging potential. The region’s vineyards are planted on granite hillsides, and the soil is predominantly sandy and well-drained.
Check it out in The Cellar.