This month’s Fellow Wine Box
We have reached 2023. New year, new life, new monthly wine package. After the parties, and the natural abuses, this month we want to uncomplicate.
We chose very good wines, but above all easy to drink, without the need for special occasions or more elaborate gastronomy. They are more direct and easy to like wines.
Have an excellent year in the company of Portuguese wines.
Cheers!
What’s in the box?
White
Quinta Ortigão Arinto-Bical
Quinta do Ortigão was recently bought and the new owners are trying to give it a new dynamism with the launch of various novelties. This white is a duet between a very citric grape variety (Arinto) and another of stone fruit and some tropical (Bical). The result is a very fruity wine, direct, with vibrant acidity and general enjoyment.
Cabeça de Toiro Reserva Fernão Pires
Cabeça de Toiro is a classic brand from the Tejo region. This white is a modern version of the classic queen variety of the region (Fernão Pires). It combines the typical floral aromas with some tropical fruit and oak notes. Set with some exuberance, that the low alcoholic degree and the good acidity help to keep the wine attractive and easy to drink.
Rosé
Maçanita Touriga Nacional Rosé 2020
The Maçanita brothers are a successful duo in the Douro with appealing wines, always at a great price. This Rosé has the particularity of being a single grape variety, which is not the most common in Portugal. Made of Touriga Nacional, the main red grape variety in Portugal, it brought the floral side of the variety to appear aromatic, delicate, with notes of red fruits and always very fresh. A great wine for the summer.
Red
Alameda de Santar
Quinta da Alameda is a small family project with excellent quality wines at a very reasonable price. This typical Dão red blend presents very expressive red fruit with floral notes and light vegetable typical of the region. Medium-bodied, very fresh and lively, based on the purity of the fruit and made to accompany simple and not very elaborate dishes.
Marquês de Borba
Marquês de Borba is one of the Alentejo’s most recognisable brands and is the creation of producer and oenologist João Portugal Ramos. Easy to find in Portugal. Simple red wine, focusing on wild and black fruits. Good concentration, very attractive to the young and fresh fruit. Very easy to enjoy. It marries perfectly with grilled meats.
Prazo de Roriz
The wine Prazo de Roriz is the entry-level wine made in partnership between Bruno Prats (a well-known Bordeaux winemaker and producer) and the Symington family. Red wine that presents a fresher side of the Douro, with red and wild fruit. Some spice gives it extra complexity. Lots of balance, in a very well made and gastronomic wine.
Vinha Grande
The brand Vinha Grande is one of the most classic wines within the range of the highly esteemed Casa Ferreirinha. This means that, despite presenting good ripe fruit typical of the Douro, the balance between the various components is the most important. Vegetable balsamics, spices and barrel notes are added. It always maintains a harmony between mouth structure, tannins and acidity in a classy finish.
