Box: August 2014

Summer with Vinho Verde!

Finally time to break our the Vinho Verde !

After last years mega success with our Portuguese box, and particularly the Urbe Augusta vinho verde, we decided to not re-invent the wheel and play that record one more time! But of course it would not be fair if we did the exact same wines once again, so this time IWCoK sent thier “top agent” to a fancy Portuguese wine show to try EVERYTHING on offer. After several hours of very hard work ;-) , agent “M” filed her report. “Two pallets of Vinho Verde Portal do Lavrador….. and some other stuff”. Well OK then.

After a little fine tuning in IWCoK secret lair, we came up with a list of fresh and hearty wines, perfect for the last hot days of summer and that evening grill in the garden.

First off is of course a vinho verde which is arguably the best summer / picnic wine in the world. Low in alcohol and a dash of “fizz” makes it refreshing in the heat. Our entry also has a little less acid and a little more sugar making it all the more easy to drink. Next up, 2 more serious whites and 2 reds. The reds are very full bodied, so no worries if your looking for something with a bit more oomf !

So no matter what your after, we think we found some great value wines this month and have done so with an exclusive partnership with VPV-Praha.

So lets not wait – Off to the wines!!!!

 

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Portal do Lavrador

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Vinho Verde
  • Alcohol: 11%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Price: 179 Kč

Mike's Tip

Hide this one from your children unless you want to share. Serious, the perfect drink for the summer heat. Best to chill 2 bottles as the first disappears very very fast.

Cerca do Casal DOC Douro Reserva

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 13,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine suitable for aging
  • Price: 185 Kč

Mike's Tip

Very interesting varieties here as these are all the basic grapes for making port! This is a much more complex affair. Great ratings and awards, but very complicated on the pallet. Let this one sit and drink slightly cooler. A protein accompaniment is almost mandatory !

Quinta Dos Currais DOC Beira Interior

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 14,5%
  • Style: Full-bodied, rich red wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Price: 205 Kč

Mike's Tip

Did you know that Touriga Nacional is kind of like Portugal’s Mercedes of grapes ? (25% Touriga Nacional, 50% Aragonês, 10% Castelão and 15% Rufete) Rich in flavour but poor in yield, this is a rare breed. So what is it, a mouth full of fruit and vanilla. Very intense flavor here that demands some food. Aged for 9 months in oak, it has all the caramel roundness to please everybody around the table.

Quinta dos Currais Siria DOC

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 14%
  • Style: Medium-bodied dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine with potencial 2 to 5 years
  • Price: 205 Kč

Mike's Tip

Don’t confuse the grape variety and the country ! Siria is an indigenous grape from the Alentejo and is actually the most popular in that region. It has a raised acidity level from citrus and finishes with a flowery hint. (don’t worry, it’s not that complicated).

Torre de Estremoz

Wine description:

  • Country: Portugal
  • Grape: Cuveé
  • Alcohol: 12,5%
  • Style: Light and refreshing dry white wine
  • Drink: Wine for immediate consumption
  • Price: 220 Kč

Mike's Tip

Dry crisp and clean. Downed this one with a Marks and Spencer’s ready made salad and it was PERFECT. Alentejo are known for the light clear wine. This is a true ambassador.