Ricardo - Christmas Tasting Table 5

Deep ruby colour. On the nose shows spice notes typical of Moreto, like clove, nutmeg, liquorice, and also some ripe cherry and strawberry notes. On the palate it is dry, fruity, spicy and easy to drink. Offers a surprising complexity of flavours and a long finish for the price!

Country: Portugal

Region: Alentejo

Grapes: Moreto, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet

ABV: 14%

Granja Amareleja vineyards are located in the left bank of Guadiana River, where the soils are sandy and the temperatures the highest in Alentejo reaching >40C. Moreto grape variety is the ex-libris of the viticulture here, where it continues to be cultivated, mostly, ungrafted (“Pé-Franco”). Perhaps for this reason its wines are so aromatic, balanced and distinct.

Pale Lemon Colour. Aromas of green apple and citrus fruits. On the palate has fruit and mineral notes, very interesting texture and balanced acidity. Fresh and lingering finish. We love this wine!

Country: Portugal

Region: Alentejo

Grapes: Diagalves, Roupeiro, Arinto

ABV: 13%

Granja Amareleja vineyards are located in the left bank of Guadiana River, where the soils are sandy and the temperatures the highest in Alentejo reaching >40C. Moreto grape variety is the ex-libris of the viticulture here, where it continues to be cultivated, mostly, ungrafted (“Pé-Franco”). Perhaps for this reason its wines are so aromatic, balanced and distinct.

Hand harvested and completely destemmed, the wine was fermented and aged in the amphoras in contact with skins and lees. The inside of our amphoras is coated with natural tree resin according to the ancient process used by the Romans 2000 years ago. The wine has not been filtered or stabilised.

Rich, ripe and full of mulberry fruit character with a silky round tannic structure. Beautifully made low intervention wine.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: 50% Aragonez and 50% Trincadeira

ABV: 14%

We love this orange wine with it's pale amber colour. Beautifully pure and textured palate with fresh nuttiness and fine spices. Tangerine and a hint of marmalade and lovely pure citrus fruits. Juicy linear and expressive with a salty tang on the finish.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisbon

Grapes: 20% Fernão Pires from Lisbon; 80% Siria from Beira Interior

ABV: 13%

Winemaker Andre is always interested in experimenting with new and old methods. He is the 5th generation of winemakers at Quinta do Montalto, the farm has 15Ha of Vineyards grown with organic certification since 1997 in Clay and Chalk soils under the Lisbon DOC Encostas D’Aire.
He uses ancient methods the create DOC Medieval Ourem, but also made new Portuguese Amphoras and uses the most modern low intervention techniques for his traditional range.

Fresh, zippy and zesty from native Portuguese grape Fernao Pires. 

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: Fernão Pires

ABV: 13.5%

2007 was a fabulous year for creating balanced Vintage ports in the Morgadio da
Calçada style with great structure along with fine elegance and finesse. Wonderful to
taste now, but for those with patience this wine will be amazing in a few decades.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Touriga Franca, Tinta
Roriz, Tinto Cão, Tinta Francisca, Tinta
Amarela, Sousão and others,
including Touriga Nacional

ABV: 20.5%

The long maceration brings balance to the natural intensity of Loureiro grape, amplifying it's salty profile.

Country: Portugal

Region: Minho

Grapes: Loureiro

ABV: 12.5%

This delightful orange wine is made of mostly Muscat with a touch of Semillon. It makes for a beautifully fresh and bright wine with bold notes of apricot, candied lemon and a touch of sea salt and nuts for that lovely fresh bite. The 10 days on skins gives a chewy wine gum notes with fine tannin to coat the palate and an oxidative nutty finish. Fresh and complex, making a fantastic gastronomic wine.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Muscat (89%)
Semillon (11%)

ABV: 13%

Food Match: Oysters or Japanese cuisine

Stellenbosch, this famous region, is 30 miles north east of Cape Town yet still close enough to the ocean to benefit from cool maritime conditions. These beautiful vineyards are dominated by scenic mountains and the region is home to some of the Cape`s most famous and influential wine estates. The most noted and important vineyards are located on the prized slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain. This small and highly rated sub-zone has fantastic terroir and is where many of South Africa`s top red cuvees are produced.

Angus Paul had their first vintage in 2020, creating wines with a focus on South African Heritage, using Chenin, Muscat and Pinotage soon expanding with Cinsault. The wines are made with minimal intervention to make quality wines that truly express the varieties characteristics. The labels are inspired by the ‘Age of exploration’ when the South African wine industry was founded, with graphics of superstitious tales from exploratory sailors.