With its dramatically steep slopes and sun-baked landscapes, the Douro Valley is one of Europe’s most challenging places to farm. But this fresh red blend is a fine reward for that extra bit of effort. Fruity and elegant, with zippy acidity, it’s delightful sipped with meat dishes, cheese or pizza.

The Mansilha family have owned the land that produces this wine since the end of the 19th century. Across 30 hectares they grow only red grapes, which until the 1970s were used to make Port wine for selling in bulk. Once they discovered the fabulous red table wines the vineyards made though, everything changed.

The world’s oldest demarcated wine region, the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley is characterised by its steep schist slopes, lined in historic terraces. Farming here is laborious and on some of the most established plots – which can contain vines older than a century – everything must be done by hand or via a horse and plough.

This wine will go perfect with Mushroom & Squash Focaccia Burger with Quick Aioli