The Insider - 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.
Quinta do Convento, Branco
[grape/vintage] Arinto, Cercial, Gouveio, Vinhas Velhas, Viosinho / 2021
[region]Dão
Smooth, complex, elegant. The winemaker won’t (can’t) say what grapes are in this cuz it’s a field blend from old vines that date back 100 years. If you were that old you’d have some damn good stories to tell as well. Crack this open, sit back and let the tales pour over your tongue.
…elegance, like a grilled medium-rare filet mignon with horseradish on the side, or dressed, roast pheasant.
Read more about it in The Cellar.
Musgo Touriga Nacional, Tinto
[grape/vintage] Touriga Nacional / 2021
[region] Dão
This wine is like listening to a jazz trio inside a red berry smoothie: cool and sweet and smooth and layered. The bassist lays down an earthy groove of spicy, woody notes; the sax player fills the air with vibrant cherry and plum and raspberry; and the drummer keeps time with a delicate brush stroke of tannins.
Pairs well with…a T-bone steak off the grill, juicy lamb chops, or venison medallions with mashed sweet potato and red currant coulis.
Read more about it in The Cellar.
Primado, Tinto
[grape/vintage]Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Alfrocheiro Preto / 2015
[region] Dão
This is like a finely-wrapped christmas present, revealing itself bit by bit, first in the glass with its faded elegance, then with its nose like a pungent spicy fruit cake, and finally on the palette where it slides across your tongue like a cat burgler stealing your soul. Open and let breathe, then surrender to its deep, complex mysteries.
…juicy red meat with a little charring round the edges, a strong game dish, or a deep dark chocolate dessert.
Read more about it in The Cellar.