Wines for your Portuguese holiday
As we edge ever closer to summer, attention no doubt shifts towards the holiday season and the big adventures we’ve planned for our excursions.
As we know, travelling goes hand-in-hand with experiencing great new wines, and The Wine Show is your one-stop shop for recommendations from all over the world.
If you’re planning a trip to Portugal this summer, why not seek out some of the wines below? With a delightful mix of powerful reds, soft whites, and complex sherries, Portugal is sure to provide you with a wine tasting experience you won’t soon forget.
Churchill’s Douro Red 2012
In the late 17th Century, ¾ of all wine sold in England was Portuguese – fortified Ports and unfortified wines like this. Well, perhaps not with the delicious, wild-berry fruit and clean spice. Churchill’s have been working hard to create a modern, rich, hearty style that perfectly encapsulates Portugal.
Pair with: Game dishes; barbecues; and roasted vegetables
Monte Cascas Malvasia de Colares
Here is a massive insider tip. It’s going to be harder to buy Chablis for the next few years as the harvests have been tough. But switch to Colares Malvasia like this gorgeous wine and you’ll have plenty of intense, minerally, slightly iodine tang fun in the same style.
Pair with: Shellfish; hake
Sandeman Vau Vintage 2001
This is the Port that got a lot of us into Port. Vau Vintage was controversial when it was launched (in the 80’s) as it’s a ‘real’ Vintage Port but made in a fruitier, earlier drinking style. There’s the classic sweet opening, followed by raspberry and cherry and aromas of Dundee cake and spice. It’s also staggeringly good value.
Pair with: Puddings; Chocolate
Vida Nova Syrah/Aragonez Rosé 2014
Cliff Richard put Algarve winemaking on the map for most people. And he’s surprised people by not just making a juicy, bright, fruity rosé packed with red fruit but winning awards and plaudits at the same time. It’s a surprisingly versatile wine.
Pair with: Salads; Salmon
Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas Tinto 2013
Pronounced ‘Ramoosh Tint’ with just a hinted aspiration at the end, here another great Port house makes a glorious dry, unfortified red. This has the herbal quality to the dark cherry and damson fruit that evokes memories of the brush covered hill sides in the beautiful Douro Valley.
Pair with: Grilled vegetables and cheese (like Halloumi)