Wines of Portugal’s Alentejo Region
Dollar for dollar it’s hard to beat Portugal’s Alentejo region for exceptional values. With 2,000 years of winemaking experience, Alentejo delivers expertly made wines at unbeatable prices.
Alentejo is internationally recognized for its award-winning sustainability program - the Wines of Alentejo Sustainability Program (WASP). Their intent is to support the improvement of the environmental, as well as the social and economic performance of the region's winemaking activities while promoting the recognition of the sustainability performance of the region's wines. WASP members account for nearly 50% of Alentejo’s vineyard area and all Alentejo’s main players participate, including the wineries featured here.
2018 CARMIM Monsaraz Reserva Red ($16)
The vineyards surrounding the historic village of Monsaraz have been farmed since the Middle Ages. Today, the Cooperativa Agricola de Reguengos de Monsaraz (founded in 1971) is not only the largest winery in Alentejo but one of its most awarded. This blend of Alicante Bouschet (60%), Trincadeira (20%) and Touriga Nacional (20%) was aged for 12 months in French and American oak. This wine is garnet-colored with an aroma of ripe blackberries and plums. On the palate it is full-bodied with minerality with a long pleasant finish.
2018 Cartuxa EA Red ($9)
Évora Alentejo (EA) is the capital that includes this winery founded by Carthusian monks. Today, the winery is run by a local philanthropic foundation. Proceeds go toward the preservation of historic Évora, along with the promotion of local arts and culture. Produced from a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alcante Bouschet and Syrah, this wine is ruby red in color with hints of red fruit aroma. On the palate it has soft flavors that are so typical of the varieties of the Alentejo Region.
2020 Casa Relvas Herdade São Miguel Rosé ($15)
This rosé gets its distinctive tropical fruit and red berries flavors from the blend of Touriga Nacional, Syrah, and Aragonez, among others. The producer is recognized for making wines that combine native and international varieties, and adding their own uniqueness, such as the “Sur Lie” aging for this delicate refreshing rosé.
2019 Herdade do Rocim Amphora Tinto ($18)
Production of this wine was done in the traditional way, in Amphora clay pots, with no temperature control. The ancestral way to make such wine was fully respected. Fermentation took place using indigenous yeasts and with no addition or correction to the must. It was then aged for three months in the bottle. The wine is clear and shiny color. On the nose, you’ll get black cherry, raspberry, plum and hints of vegetable notes. It’s creamy smooth, yet fresh, and has hints of a salt and minerality and ends with a fresh finish.
Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received these samples at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Samples Provided by Creative Palate Communications