The Connoisseur - July 2025
Hello to summer. Hello to hot afternoons at the beach. Hello to ice cubes and summer dresses. Hello to flip flops, tennis whites and fat bumblebees. Most of all, hello to crisp, cool rosé, refreshing white wine and bbq-friendly red wine.
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.
Vidigal, Pinot Noir Rosé
[grape/vintage] Pinot Noir / 2021
[region] Lisboa
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.
Goes really well as an aperitif, or almost anything between April and October, a grilled white fish, a cataplana or even roast quail.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Quinta do Convento, Branco
[grape/vintage] Arinto, Cercial, Gouveio, Vinhas Velhas, Viosinho / 2021
[region] Douro
This is like that lovely scene at the end of Visconti’s The Leopard when they’re all dancing in the ballroom…Burt Lancaster, Claudia Cardinale, Alain Delon. Like that swirling, magical dance, the winemakers have stylishly blended several varietals and old vine grapes to tell the story of their land – elegant, crystalline, timeless.
Pairs well with a freshly grilled tiger shrimp with lemon butter dipping sauce.
Check it out in The Cellar.
Ilha do Pico, "Terras de Lave" Merlot
[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.
Check it out in The Cellar.
