The Enthusiast - July 2024
Hhhhmmm. Is summer here? Seems like 2024 is a bit unsure of itself. Oh well, we forge ahead with a mix of optimism and sangfroid and a good bottle of wine. This month’s selections will give you some options so you can always stay one step ahead of the weather: plenty of crispness and freshness but a little bit of body and warmth just in case.
Wine 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.
Luis Pato, Vinhas Velhas Branco
[grape/vintage] Bical, Cercial, Sercialinho / 2021
[region] Bairrada
Luis Pato says this is his personal interpretation of a typical Bairrada white and who are we to argue with the master!? On the mouth, this is like lying in an orchard on a dusty, late summer afternoon with a gentle breeze brushing the tips of one’s toes.
Our sommelier loves this wine, and finds the nose to have the heady and enticing aroma of pear juice, white flower, apple and toasted almond; excellent acidity in the mouth, a well-balanced medium body, and overall dry, lemony and juicy. Very gastronomic.
So, no surprise, this one works great with pretty much any meal, but imagine it washing down a lighly-broiled sea-bass, a bowl of steamed mussels or even holding hands with some regional chouriço. You wouldn’t even go wrong bringing this out for the festive season, for those who prefer not to douse themselves in heavy red wine!
Check it out in The Cellar.
Rapariga da Quinta, Rosé
[grape/vintage] Pinot Noir / 2021
[region] Alentejo
This dusky-coloured, smooth yet spicy rosé is as mysterious and magical as a vintage Citroën 2CV parked on the cliffs above Praia Grande at sunset.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: The colour of smoked salmon on a sunset beach. A rich complex nose hinting at fresh berries and spices. In the mouth, well-integrated fruitiness with refreshing acidity that lasts long and easy.
We suggest pairing this with itself as an aperitif, or almost anything between April and October: a grilled white fish, a cataplana, pepperoni pizza or roast quail.
The Lisboa region is located just north and west of Lisbon. The region’s diverse landscape includes coastal areas, hills and valleys, which creates a variety of microclimates and soil types, producing a range of wines, including red, white, and rosé, and is known for its high-quality and innovative winemaking.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Ribeiro Santo "Bastardo"
[grape/vintage] Bastardo / 2020
[region] Dão
The heat of mid-summer lives in this juicy, old-style baga, a heat that speaks of long naps under cork trees with that lovely woozy post-lunch feeling. They made this wine with as little intervention as possible, vinifying it in open “lagares”, allowing fermentation to happen spontaneously over a week or so, then letting it sleep happily in oak barrels for 10 months. Drink it the same way: relaxed, slowly and with no plans for using heavy machinery.
Our sommelier has this to say about it: Deep ruby colour, with a well-balanced nose, elegant with matching notes of red fruits and spices with hints of pine resin. On the mouth the red fruits come to the fore in a well-balanced body with a long, smooth finish thanks to its 18 months in oak.
Pairs well with grilled prime red meats like a juicy picanha or t-bone, or a hearty game stew.
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.