An Occasional Tipple: Portuguese wine fuels Portuguese dreams

As a general rule, I only leave the Emerald Isle once a year. I shudder to think what may happen if I left it unattended for any longer.

Raymond Gleug enjoys competitively-priced Portuguese wine

​I had dreamed that this year’s foreign excursion might take me to Portugal where I have unfinished business in the fishing village of Alvor.

Last year, I couldn't make it as my annual trip took me to France where my darling wife, the redoubtable Madame G., had some family business to sort out. This year, I am going to Tokyo instead where my darling wife has to deal with some other family business. So, Alvor, maybe next year...

Although, that seems unlikely too as my Madame has just informed me that she has some family business attend to in Denmark next year so we'll probably go there instead. Ah well, if the mountain can't come to Mohammed, then the Portuguese wine must come instead to my lovely home, Rose Cottage.

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As for Diogo, the friendly fisherman from Alvor who still owes me 50 euro and a lesson in catching the best shellfish on the Algarve's coastline, well he’ll have to wait until 2025 to finally be debt-free.

First among near equals but just about gaining the nod to be sure to be sure as today’s WINE OF THE WEEK is the complex, full-bodied and exceptionally flavoursome 2023 Vinho Verde Rose (£8, M&S). This vibrant, spritzy Portuguese offering has abundant notes of strawberry, raspberry and lime on its lively palate before a clean, discreetly acidic finish. One for grilled fish and roasted vegetables.

Staying in Portugal, today’s second recommendation is the rustic, robust and well-rounded 2020 Adegamae Pinta Negra (£7.49, Lidl). This peppery, jammy Portuguese red has a delicately spiced, juicy palate with pronounced black cherry, bramble and blackberry flavours before a well-rounded finish which delivers an abundance of generous cinnamon, spice and vanilla notes. Competitively priced, this will be an ideal companion to barbecued steaks on yet another blustery evening where people gather in backyards and proclaim: at least it's not raining.

Speaking of Portugal, didn’t they do surprisingly well at Eurovision despite not having a very good song? Not as well as Bambi Thug however, though in truth the performance was more memorable than the actual song. But better than the UK who managed to bring the house down with their nul points from the public vote. I nearly cried till I laughed when Switzerland won and the bookies had to pay me out on yet another winning bet.

Anyway, for tonight’s final recommendation we go to Italy, the country who probably most deserved to win Eurovision, and the zesty, fragrant and gloriously refreshing 2022 Stefano di Blasi Pinot Grigio (£13.99, Naked Wines).

Pronounced apple and pear flavours mingle pleasantly with brighter citrus notes and subtle spices in this delightfully dry Italian white which will go wonderfully well with mildly spiced Asian or Mediterranean cuisine.

Go? Did someone say go? Yes, it’s time to go. But not to Tokyo. Not just yet. 12 more sleeps to Tokyo, 767 to Portugal, maybe. Dream on, dreamer... Till next week, tipplers, sante!

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