The Insider - May 2025
Here’s a joke for anyone who went to elementary school in the United States…if April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? …well, in Portugal, some damn fine wine from The Wine Fellas (real answer below) who are completely unconvinced by the recent glimmer of warm weather, so we’re not going full crisp white wines yet.
Instead, as the Atlantic sorts out its anti-cyclonic weather pattern, we’ve selected some versatile, gastronomic wines and we suggest you keep the pizza oven going!
(answer to the joke: pilgrims…Google it.)
As always, 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.
Abegoaria dos Frades, Moreto Preto
[grape/vintage] Moreto Preto / 2022
[region] Alentejo
It’s a monastery somewhere in the middle of the 17th century, somewhere in the Alentejo, around midday. It’s hot and the flies are buzzing lazily. A monk has fallen asleep in the courtyard after his simple lunch of Alentejano bread and hard sheep’s cheese. A goatskin of wine lies next to the monk, it’s dark red juice spilling onto the flagstones. Pretty soon the abbot will come by and kick the monk up the backside but for now he’s dreaming of being fed fresh cherries and toasted pinenuts by scantily-clad nymphs.
…some classic Alentejo cuisine like migas and slow-cooked black pork cheeks; or anything off the bbq.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Terroir Vulcânico, Frei Gigante
[grape/vintage] Arinto dos Açores, Terrantez do Pico, Verdelho /2021
[region] Açores
Belgium is famous for beer brewed by Trappist monks. Well, what else are they going to do between masses? If they were in the Açores they’d definitely switch to making wine like this and be damn proud of it too. Complex, rich and layered, it’s like a Gregorian chant wrapped in gold leaf and sprayed with mermaid’s tears and lemon zest.
Goes well with…a risotto al sepo nero with grilled shrimp, some strong, creamy cheeses, or a fresh-baked cherry pie with vanilla ice cream.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Rapariga da Quinta Reserva, Tinto
(grape/vintage) Alicante Bouschet, Aragonês, Touriga Nacional/ 2023
[region] Alentejo
Like driving a gold-rimmed Bentley down your throat. Intense and rich and delicious. Not for the faint-hearted. This 15.5% ABV beauty is an old vine field blend made from “goblet” vines which means the vines aren’t grown on trellises or supports. Basically, these grapes are tough SOBs, and their juice is complex and deeply layered. Plus 30 months in barriques and you’ve got a wine stinking of chocolate, cherry and black plum that you can really sink your teeth into. And only 550 bottled!
Pairs well with a grilled ribeye steak with garlic and rosemary, wild mushroom risotto, a charcuterie.
Check it out in The Cellar.