Box: July 2016
Oliviera
What would summer be without “Probably” the best summer wine in the world ? You guessed it, it is once again time to go back to our friends at Oliviera and bring you a fresh selection of Vinho Verde and some delicious red wines from Portugal. And knowing where to find great quality at a fair price, we are for the 3rd year back to Obchod Oliviera (looking for a great tapas bar in Vinohrady? check them out!)
Trophy wines! Nothing to do with the European Cup (really), but we have a number of award winners to talk about in July.
3 Vinho Verde with various flavors of fruit and color come out first. Honestly the combination of the low alcohol content, and light carbonation make these wines so easy to drink. Be is the every day Mau Maria, or slightly more up market Murhalas or Aroma des Castas ( direct translation could be Pear Williams in wine form), all are perfect for any day of the week on the balcony or in the garden.
For the reds, I wanted to try and get away from the single blend Touriga Nacionals and look for some smooth dry blends that are ready to drink, but will last in the cellar for years to come. All the reds this month were aged in oak, and all have a soft tannin on the pallet. You may recognize Montaria as we have had a bottle from this winery last year.
There is never too much of a good thing :-)
Mau Maria Vinho Verde
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Vinho Verde
- Alcohol: 11%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 154 Kč
Mike's Tip
One has to believe that GOD said "Thou shalt not be bad Vinho Verde". Can't remember him ever being wrong ;-) Lightly sparkling wine with citrus color and pleasant aromas of citrus and yellow mellon.
Aromas das Castas
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 12%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 290 Kč
Mike's Tip
The alarm is going off on this medal collector. More than we can count. A fabulous full bodied wine full of pears and peaches. Not a pic-nic drink, but one that is ready for the top table. Don't underestimated this one - delightfully complex.
Muralhas Vinho Verde
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Vinho Verde
- Alcohol: 12%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 245 Kč
Mike's Tip
Another bubbling Vinho Verde, albeit this one is a tad more sophisticated. Like all wines from the region, this one also smacks of fruit - apricots! This wine has a bit more body than the entry level wines from the region, so do not hesitate to pair this one up with some white meat.
Casa das Gaeiras Reserva Branco Vinhas Velhas
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 449 Kč
Mike's Tip
All I can say about this one is WOW.... They told me after the tasting that Casa das Gaeiras is a legend in the Lisbon area, and I just had to shake my head. The best Portuguese white wine I have ever tried. A light acidity and DEEP complexity, pair this with only white food (cheese and cod) so not to compete. Delicious.
Evidencia Branco
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13%
- Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
- Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 211 Kč
Mike's Tip
This white leaves the Vinho Verde far behind - a very different affair indeed. The Dao region is known for it's mineral and citrus flavors and what you may find to be more "acidic" this wine will pair very easily with fish and salad. Fried fish, dripping in oil (read fat) and this wine - heaven on earth....
Evidencia Tinto
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 12,5%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 211 Kč
Mike's Tip
I have to give the guys at Parras wineries credit. This is one of the smartest Portuguese wine packaging designs I have come across. The contents is just as good. 6 months in oak, and a good dose of tannin that really evened out the taste. A little lighter, with a light rusty color. Red meats here are mandatory.
Montaria Reserva Tinto
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Full-bodied red aged in oak
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 245 Kč
Mike's Tip
After 7 months in oak barrels, the tannin are jumping out of the bottle ;-) Aromas of wild berries with dark chocolate and eucalyptus. Round body in balance with acidity and structured tannins. Long and complex. The best value in the box!
Leguas 370 Reserva Tinto
Wine description:
- Country: Portugal
- Grape: Cuveé
- Alcohol: 13,5%
- Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
- Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
- Supplier: Oliveira
- Price: 245 Kč
Mike's Tip
The name makes reference to the treaty of the 370th meridian between the Portuguese and the Spanish back in Colombus's day. Harvested from the steep slopes along the Duoro, this wine has hints of vanilla from the barrels is was aged in and red fruits. A good all round wine that will go with any warm dish, be it fish or meat.