The Enthusiast - October 2024

The rain is here and the cooler nights are upon us. It’s time to stock pile the firewood, air out the wool blankets, and make sure you’ve got a good supply of wine for the long evenings ahead. We made this month’s selection with harvest time in mind; wines that love to be drunk with an autumn meal like a butter squash soup, a spaghetti carbonara or a roasted farm chicken.

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.

Casa da Atela, Arinto

[grape/vintage] Arinto / 2021

[region] Tejo

Not your typical winemaker. Not your typical Chardonnay. Anibal Coutinho hops around Portugal in his spacesuit making amazingly interesting and affordable wines, and this brand new Chardonnay is no exception. Minimal oak, lots of character and versatility. Smells like a basket of fresh-picked pears wrapped in a fresh morning breeze and tastes like a lemon tart wrapped in a custard cream.

Totally yummy with a melanzane a la parmigiana, a pan-seared salmon fillet or a juicy pork tenderloin with fig and apple.

Awards

Escolha do Mercado 2023 Categoria B Grandes Escolhas

Terras de Lava, TInto

[grape/vintage] Merlot / 2020
[region] Açores

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

Pairs well with…white or red meats, mature cheeses, or break the rules and surprise yourself by pairing with a citrus fish or ceviche.

Terras d´Alter , AB

[grape/vintage] Alicant Bouchet/ 2020

[region] Alentejo