A Portuguese treat for you all this week, in the shape of the Casal Mendes red, a light and fruity wine from northern Portugal.
We all know Portugal is famous for its port but the table wines are stunning and use local traditional varieties, making red, white and rose a great success.
This vinho due mesa (table wine) is a great example of an easy-drinking everyday red made by Alianca, a Cooperative in northern Portugal.
This is the company's basic red wine and, while a very good tipple, their top end stuff is excellent and well worth exploring.
The wine pours to a damson-red, followed by a nose of dry, red fruit and spice and leads on to a smooth, more-ish mouthful with little acidity or tannin.
A fantastic wine for everyday drinking: try it very slightly chilled and ideal with a spicy curry. Available from Booths at £5.59 a bottle.
Graeme Hedley is sommelier and expert on food and wine at Kendal College’s Lakes Hotel School
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