Two Summer (or Anytime) Value Choices from Portugal

White and Rosé are not just for spring and summer, although many do associate them more with the warmer months.  The more bracing and crisp varieties even more so.  Many whites offer much more though, with texture, complexity and a richer experience.  These are great any time of year, and pair well with such a wide variety of food.  Here are two of them which hail from the Alentejo region of Portugal.

Wine:    2021 Herdade do Esporão  Monte Velho Rosé 

Winery Location:   Alentejo, Portugal

Tasted By:    Neil                      Date:  May 2022    

Tasting Notes:  this has a medium salmon color, with a nose of red berries.  There’s also some herbal notes and a depth that goes beyond most rosés.  On the palate the wine has good body and some texture, with citrus fruit.  It is fresh, clean, balanced and quite long.  Overall this is very satisfying.

From a rainy year, by Alentejo standards, and a relatively mild one, this did see a brief time macerating with the skins before pressing.  All stainless steel treatment.  It is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Tinta Caiada and others.

Price Point –    $12 SRP

Would We Buy It? –    oh yes, this is an excellent Rosé at a bargain price.  It has more depth and complexity than you would expect.

And the second:

Wine:   2021 Herdade do Esporão White Wine 

Winery Location:   Alentejo, Portugal

Tasted By:   Neil                      Date:  May 2022    

Tasting Notes:  This is light straw in color with a fruity nose featuring pear, apple and white peach.  It is very bright but also very smooth at the same time.  A citrusy palate contains brisk acid that builds at the end, cleaning things off nicely.  Fresh and long, this is an excellent value.  Made in a process similar to the wine above, with the exception of the skin maceration, this is a blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum and others.

Price Point –    $12  SRP

Would We Buy It? –    yes, as this is also a great value bottle at $12.  

The Alentejo is my favorite region in Portugal.  The quality to price ratio tends to be very high, and the white wines from this hot region are surprising.  They  have more depth, texture and complexity than most, and those features would cost you much more in many of the famous wine regions of the world.  This is a land of great wine values.

A votre santé!

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