Box: July 2020

Portuguese summer

Even if your plans this summer are completely different, there will be one thing that you can count on – warm weather and Vinho Verde with IWCoK!

Light crisp white wines from Portugal are what we look for in warmer months. Lower alcohol and higher acidity make them refreshing, and the perfect companion for your “get ready for swim wear” diet, or salad and sea food on the terrace or patio. We have brought four white that meet those criteria including a classic Vinho Verde. Not what we would call a sparkling wine, but it does have a very slight bubble that you will feel on your tongue. And the blend  from Sant’Ana is really a flagship of what Portuguese white can be. Delicate, balanced and everything that a fine summer wine should be.

In our reds, we concentrated on what many refer to as the national variety of Touriga Nacional. Without question my favorite grape from the region with it’s higher level of tannin and acidity, and noticeable lack of ripe plum flavor. More a fruity Bordeaux blend than a heavy, earthy, ripe fruit bombshell that we did in our previous Portuguese box. This is not to say these wines don’t pack a punch. All have a moderately elevated alcohol level and are oozing red fruit flavor. A great introduction do the difference to the regions reds without a plum in site !

So if you are spending this summer in the garden, a caravan at the lake or the beaches of Europe, enjoy, be safe and enjoy a bit of Portugal on your table.

Felicidades!

 

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Messias

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 9%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 169 Kč

Mike's Tip

We do a light and slightly bubbly Vinho Verde every summer since we started for good reason. There is nothing better than when the weather is hot, you want something refreshing and it is always great value. This wine may not win any awards other than being a summer favorite, but the low alcoholic, low price, high pleasure combo is always a winner. Drink ice cold.

Valcatrina

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 12,5%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 249 Kč

Mike's Tip

A white wine made for dining outside with fish or sushi. Don't let the clear straw colour fool you, this wine has plenty of acidity and will leave both your mouth and body fresh with only 12% alcohol. Citrus tones and a light touch of mineral make it right for an aperitive or white fish .

Ribeiro Santo

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 259 Kč

Mike's Tip

Aged in oak, this Malvasia based blend is a buttery delight. Look for exotic fruit flavors, (Pineapple, nectarine)blended with the vanilla of the oak. Solid medium to full body that will do best with food. Grilled fish, hummus, baba ghanoush - perfect partners

Quinta de Sant’Ana

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 12,5%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 289 Kč

Mike's Tip

Fine, delicate, refined all do well to describe this wine of perfect balance. Aged for 6 months in giant steel tanks, the flavors of passion fruit and wild flowers are settled in a balanced acidity that everyone's taste will make sense of. Serve with simple food (grilled white fish or chicken) to not overpower and fully appreciate.

Vinha Maria Premium

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Style: Medium-bodied red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 219 Kč

Mike's Tip

What a surprise!. Very smooth and a decent depth at an unbelievable price. I loved the touch of acidity and tannins on top of what was not an overpowering mouth of red fruit. If you love heavy, ripe red fruit wines from Portugal, this may be a little light for you, but it is exceptionally drinkable and will pair will with anything on the table.

Casa de Santar

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 249 Kč

Mike's Tip

Our second blend on a base of Touriga Nacional, which some experts consider to have the characteristics of a Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet frank blend. First think is fruity, the second is strong tannins. This is a red meat / strong food wine. Black fruits with a punch !

Ribeiro Santo

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 279 Kč

Mike's Tip

Barrel aged, the vanilla will make an immediate impression. Then comes the red and black fruits of the Touriga Nacional. This wine have more earthy tones than the other wines, so I suggest to let it breath a bit longer than the others. Will do great with a burger or a big pork chop.

Gambia

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Supplier: portske.cz
  • Price: 225 Kč

Mike's Tip

This wine comes from the Peninsula de Setubal, or the deep south of Portugal. A balance of short dry fruit and a light acidity, look for ripe plums, dried cherries and blackberries. Full bodied pleasure.