The Insider - 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.
QM "Homenagem"
[grape/vintage] Alvarinho / 2021
[region] Vinho Verde
You think you know what Alvarinho is, then you drink this one. Complexity wrapped in a gold silk blouse. It truly is an “homenagem” (tribute) to the centuries of tradition and skill and artistry that goes into growing and bottling this classic Vinho Verde grape.
Our sommelier describes it thus: Clear appearance and golden color. Intense aroma and flavor, full body and prolonged aftertaste that highlight the notable qualities of the Alvarinho variety with a slight woody aroma and flavor.
Pairs well with seafood, sushi, grilled or baked fish, a roast chicken, juicy pork tenderloin, creamy cakes or fruit tart.
Vinho Verde is known for its light, refreshing wines, known for their low alcohol content and slight effervescence. The soil is predominantly granite, which helps to retain moisture and gives the wines a unique minerality.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Herdade do Portocarro, "Figas"
[grape/vintage] Arinto, Galego Dourado / 2022
[region] Setúbal
Like having a personal cooling fan while sitting on a hot Lisbon tram car in mid-July. Fresh, lemony and clean as a whistle, this very drinkable white is a swimming pool glinting in the afternoon sun, a fresh trout jumping in a mountain stream.
Our sommelier’s thoughts: Intense nose with citrus notes, some flint giving a mineral touch. On the palette, marked acidity, but not aggressive, with a note of minerality and once again with citrus notes standing out.
We suggest pairing this with white meats, cold salads, baked or grilled fish, pasta, risotto and cheese.
The Setúbal region is thought to be the home of the first grape vines ever planted on the Iberian Peninsula (c 2000 BCE). Today, the region’s wines range from the sweet, floral Moscatel from the Serra da Arrábida, to the sublime reds of a well-structured Palmela. With fresh, coastal breezes and hot summers, the region offers some exquisite tasting experiences.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Terra d'Alter, "Outeiro" Tinto
[grape/vintage] Syrah, Viognier / 2020
[region] Alentejo
A whitewashed church with a red tiled roof in that classic Iberian style stands solid and imposing against a bright blue sky. Its heavy wooden door beckons you inside, a refuge from the intense heat of the Alentejo plain. Inside it is cool, and dry and filled with rich smells of blackberry jam, old leather, sweet oak and some old black tobacco that the prelate keeps underneath his cassock. Is it a sin to drink the sacramental wine?
Our sommelier had this to say about it: On the nose, hints of violets, ground pepper, roast meat and tar. On the palette, exotic flavors of woods and oriental spices with ripe red fruits. Very tasty finish with notes of ceder and vanilla.
Pairs well with a roast shoulder of lamb or classic British Sunday roast; or something rich and creamy and tangy like bacalhau com natas or a plate of strong, buttery Alentejo sheep’s cheese.
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.