These three wines may not be totally new on the market, but they are three wines that are new to me and were recently added to the huge selection of wines available at Apolónia supermarkets in the Algarve.
Let’s start with the red – Casa da Urra Reserva, priced at €18.95. This is a big, full-bodied Alentejo wine in the traditional style, made from Alicante Bouschet and Alfrocheiro grapes.
This is a 2017, a year that was an excellent vintage for most of Portugal and, from what I can gather, the wine was held back by the producer, after having aged in French oak for 12 months, resting for a good few years in the bottle prior to release.
On the nose, there are mature dark berry aromas with balsamic notes, full and supple in the mouth with smooth tannins and a long, dry finish. This is an ideal wine to enjoy with a nice Alentejo-style lamb stew.
The first of my whites is a wine that surprised me and also did not disappoint – Tiago Cabaço Vinhas Velhas, priced at €14.49. My surprise was that, given the Burgundy style bottle and the description on the rear label that talks of a wine with a pale straw colour and that “grips the senses”, I was expecting a white with more body and structure, perhaps even some oak. It is made from a field blend of old vines, with traditional Alentejo varieties such as Antão Vaz, Arinto and Roupeiro. The wine is, in fact, un-oaked, displaying a pale colour and an elegant nose with citric and floral aromas, mineral character in the mouth, and immense freshness with a clean, dry finish.
My third wine is one that does exactly what it says on the label; Pinot Blanc Barrica, priced at €22.95, fermented and aged in used oak barrels and, whilst not overly oaky, there are subtle oak aromas on the nose and toasty flavours in the mouth, all mingling interestingly with tropical and white fruits. An unusual wine, made by a highly respected Bairrada producer from the Bical grape.
