“Why we love it: I’m a total fan of Esporão wines and Portuguese wines in general. This crisp dry white was made for the hotter weather and hails from the Alentejo region. Winemakers David Baverstock and Sandra Alves blend Roupeiro, Antão Vaz, and Perrum grapes for a citrus and white fruit dry white the color of pale straw that makes my heart happy.
Pair with chicken, shellfish and fish, unctuous appetizers like fried bits and cheeses, and vegetarian dishes. Pairs well with fish tacos or a roasted corn and cojita salad. Mwah”.
However, summer does not live by whites and rosés alone, and there are reds that can handle the season’s heat, such as Monte Velho Red 2014, which is another recommendation.
“Why we love it: *Best Buy- by several and salt away for 3-5 years.
This value buy is a tasty blend of local Alentejo region and international grapes Aragonês (Tempranillo), Trincadera, Touriga Nacional and Syrah. Juicy, robust but not cloying, well-structured, you get raspberry and spice notes for the red meat lovers, serve with short rib burgers or stuffed portobello mushrooms.
A ruby red versatile all-star that goes with pizza to wild boar, and is on of the best-selling Portuguese wines for good reason, it’s a velvety smooth operator with little pretense. Buy a case.”
Discover all the suggestions at ‘Wines of the summer 2016: Our picks’ by April Neale.
