Quinta da Lixa Loureiro, Vinho Verde
Crisp and refreshing, Vinho Verde from northern Portugal is a fabulous apéritif. But this one from Quinta da Lixa goes the extra mile. It’s made with a single star grape variety, Loureiro, and uses only the best fruit harvested in the finest years, resulting in more complexity and depth.
Casa Santos Lima Chardonnay, Vinho Regional de Lisboa
Pair cooling coastal breezes with the warmth of the Portuguese sun, and what do you get? A delicious Chardonnay with distinct Lisbon flair. This wine is proof that Portugal can produce the well-known international grape varieties with just as much finesse as its many indigenous ones.
Cherubino Valsangiacomo ‘Malvasia de Sant Jaume’, Valencia
Ancient grape variety Malvasia is more commonly known for making robust Madeira wines. This refreshing dry white is a whole different prospect. Its lively floral and tropical-fruit notes will whisk you away to sunnier climes with every sip.
Contreras Ruiz ‘Édalo’ Zalema, Condado de Huelva
Made with unique Zalema variety grapes – plucked from 60-80-year-old vines in Andalucía – Édalo’ is a complete reflection of its locale. Coastal influences and marine deposits in the soil contribute to the wine’s light and fresh character. Notes of tropical pineapple, melon and peach waft from the glass, and every sip comes with juicy apple flavour.
Viña Costeira ‘Teixadal’ Treixadura, Ribeiro
If you like light and refreshing Albariño from Rias Baixas, this wine from the Ribeiro region next door will be right up your street. Refreshing Treixadura grapes lend plenty of nectarine and citrus fruit aromas and – because the wine has been rested on its lees for a while before bottling – satisfying complexity too.
Cuatro Rayas Organic Verdejo, Rueda
A textbook Verdejo from Spain’s Rueda. Straw-yellow hues with a greenish tint, fresh citrus aromas and persistent fruity flavours – think of it as the Spanish version of Sauvignon Blanc. What’s different about this wine is that it’s 100% organic and vegan-friendly, and bottled with minimal sulphites too.
Ondarre ‘Primeur Organic’, Rioja
A contemporary Rioja – fruit-forward, juicy and made to showcase terroir. Whereas many traditional Riojas are long-aged blends from different sites, Ondarre is made only with old, low-yielding vines in a town along the renowned historical pilgrim trail, Camino de Santiago.
Orot ‘Joven’, Toro DOP
Orot’s Joven is made from the same variety as Rioja – Tempranillo – but stylistically it’s almost on another planet. Rather than traditional Rioja’s savoury, oak-aged character, expect a rich, concentrated medley of fresh flavour. The lack of oak shows off delicious purity of fruit.
Juan Gil Monastrell, Jumilla DOP
Big, bold, fruity – if you like a red wine with personality, this Monastrell won’t disappoint. Picked from forest-encircled, high-altitude vineyards, the grapes that go into this rich wine have freshness as well as a bounty of concentrated dark-fruit flavour.
Borsao ‘Selection Old Vine Garnacha’, Campo de Borja
Winemaker José Luis Chueca makes Garnacha from old, unirrigated bush vines set in the foothills of the Moncayo mountain – as much as 800m above sea level. The critics really love this bottling: esteemed wine magazine Decanter gave it 90 points, while James Suckling awarded it 91. Crack it open and you’ll quickly learn why.
Casa Santos Lima ‘Boca Mar’, Vinho Regional Algarve
This bottle alone proves there’s more to the Algarve than great beaches and brilliant weather. The holidaymakers’ favourite getaway on the south coast of Portugal turns out top notch wines, too, and this smooth, rich and powerful red is a perfect example.
Quinta dos Muros ‘Flor de Crasto’, Douro
Fresh, fruit driven and aromatic, with notes of raspberry and plum, this easy-to-love red wine is made from the same grapes that go into producing sweet, fortified Port. Beautifully balanced, it’s structured but with a seductive texture and light tannins. Deliciously approachable.
