Portugal. Wine. Sunshine. I mean, what’s not to like about that? When I spotted the chance to apply to be a ‘Vintern’ for Majestic, it was an opportunity I simply had to grab with both hands – much in the same way I would the wine, I thought, should I be lucky enough to be chosen!
My decision to apply was largely taken thanks to my husband. We both love Portugal and I’ve always wanted to see more of the beauty the country has to offer. I love their wine too, so this offered me the chance to sample both, meaning it was a bit of a no-brainer really.
I’ve also had a tough year, losing my Dad and my Auntie, so my husband encouraged me to go for it. We both felt there was only one person I could really take and that was my Mum. We’ve been through so much together this year, and I just wanted to see her smile again and be happy. Some mother-and-daughter time in sunnier climes was certain to be great for both of us, so I applied more in hope than expectation that I’d be the lucky one that was chosen.
Thankfully, and much to my surprise and delight, my application proved to be a ‘vinner’ - I landed the role and we were off to sunny Portugal to whet my palate with wine!
Arrival
Upon arriving, we were met by a friendly taxi driver who was about to transport us to a world of wine… no sooner were we out of the city of Lisbon than we were driving through the beautiful Portuguese countryside with vineyards aplenty. It was evident that this is a Portuguese passion – a way of life – and we simply couldn’t wait to try the wines on offer!
Travelling through picturesque and tranquil countryside, we soon arrived at our home for the next three days, the Dolce CampoReal Lisboa hotel. We were afforded all of the amenities we would need, including a large and spacious room, swimming pool and lounge area, as well as a glamorous bar area where we could unwind after a hard day’s wine tasting!
Vineyard visit
Oh yes, the wine tasting. What a fantastic experience. We visited the Casa Santos Lima Vineyard, one of the largest in the region and all of Portugal. Our guide for the day, Pedro, was one of the friendliest people we’ve had the privilege to meet. He was also a font of knowledge and answered every question we had – you could clearly see his passion for his job and the wines that the vineyard produced.
We were whisked around by a horse and carriage which was something extra special and such a fantastic yet relaxing way to see the vastness of the vineyard.
It was the middle of the grape harvesting season while we were there. We learned so much about the process that goes into it and were even able to hand-pick some to taste ourselves – they were delicious, so much so that we couldn’t wait for them to tickle our tastebuds in liquid form too!
So that’s just what we did. To taste the wines, we were escorted to a room with a view – and what a view it was. Floor-to-ceiling windows allowed us to gaze over the beauty of the vineyard surrounding us. We were seated at a giant table – me on one side, Mum on the other – while our host began to serve us with food and drink! A six-course lunch with six different wines (three white, three red). We felt like queens.
Each dish was accompanied by a different wine, designed to complement the food on offer.
To start, we had homemade asparagus soup. That was followed by a Portuguese-style cod loin before the third course, a traditional chicken dish, was presented to us. For dessert, we were first served a berry cheesecake and then subsequently a chocolate mousse. This was finished off with fresh fruit and grapes – all carefully selected from the vineyard.
Each wine was perfectly and expertly chosen to really complement the flavours of each dish. It helped bring out the unique taste of each wine, from light and refreshing, sweet or dry, to the full-bodied or more ‘woody’ flavours, it truly was a fantastic experience and a palatable delight in a superb setting. They say you can’t please everybody all of the time, but on this occasion, I’d beg to differ as it really felt like there was something for everyone!
Full compliments must go to everyone at Casa Santos Lima for what was truly a magical day at their vineyard. They clearly take great pride in their work and the results are evident in the beauty of the various wines that they produce. We were sad to leave but grateful to have had the experience. Thankfully, we knew it wouldn’t be the end of our wine-tasting challenge though because when we returned home to the UK, I knew I had to really put to the test whether wine truly tastes better at home or abroad.
Home time wine
Ahhh, the Majestic Summer Wine Club Case. Something to transport my tastebuds back to the summer months, to the sunshine of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula. And take me back it did.
The first wine had to be the Casa Santos Lima Chardonnay and it took us straight back to the vineyard in the Portuguese sun – oh to be there again!
The Ondarre ‘Primeur’ Organic Rioja and Pasico were next to be tested – the fruity berry and spice flavours evoking memories of cool summer eves as the sun sets after a day at the beach with a nice glass of red with your meal.
Next was Édalo – it sounded ‘ideal’ and it certainly was. The scent of the tropical fruit along with the juicy and zesty flavour put me right back on a beach or lounging around a pool.
In summary, each wine offered something different, and each one brought with it a unique sense of summer and perfect Portugal.
Verdict
So, does wine truly taste better on holiday? Well, when you’re relaxed and switched off from the usual daily routine while bathing in the summer sun, or simply enjoying a nice glass over an evening meal in balmy temperatures, it can certainly feel that way!
But in truth, if there’s one thing that this ‘vintern’ experience (and actually this year as a whole) has taught me, it’s that sharing a glass or even bottle of wine with the right people and the right company in your life, and enjoying those moments, really can bring real warmth and a genuine feeling of summer at home too…and what a Majestic feeling that truly is!
I’ll drink to that.
