Portugal Value Mixed Dozen

Fresh, round and fruity, with the merest hint of spritz, this is a popular, easy-drinking style from northern Portugal, the blend tending to be around half each of alvarinho and trajadura. The Society`s Vinho Verde, made by the highly regarded Adega de Monção co-operative, comes from vineyards overlooking the border with Spain along the beautiful Minho river in the Monção e Melgaço sub region. This is delicious with shellfish or light lunches, and it is such seafood staples of the region that appear on the smart new label in the shape of the polvo, AKA octopus, that is so much enjoyed with Vinho Verde up and down the Portuguese coast.

A blend of aragonez (aka tempranillo) and castalao from Torres Vedras, near Lisbon, a region not yet as well known for wine as it surely will be. Deep colour in the glass and with generous bramble, plum and mulberry aromas, along with an attractive pepperiness. The palate is plush and plump and perfect with a cured meats or peppery stews.

A crisp, elegant and high-altitude white from the Douro Valley, made by one of Portugal’s most historic producers. The 2024 vintage is bright and expressive, with aromas of citrus, green apple and white peach, alongside a hint of floral lift and a subtle touch of spice from partial ageing in oak. On the palate it’s fresh and focused, with zesty acidity and a dry, mineral finish that speaks to the cooler vineyards of the Douro’s high plateaus. A wonderfully versatile white that’s perfect as an aperitif or alongside grilled fish, seafood or salads.

This is exactly the sort of wine that reminds you that not every bottle has to be complex or lifechanging to hit the spot. Light-to-medium bodied, refreshing and easy-going, it comes from Portugal’s Douro Valley, a region better known for rich, powerful wines, but here showing a much softer, more approachable side. Made from a blend of classic local varieties, touriga nacional, touriga franca and sousão, this is a dark-fruited, mellow red that’s all about simple, honest drinking. There’s plenty of blackberry and plum fruit, with a touch of earthy spice, and the palate is soft, smooth and generous without ever feeling heavy. Ideal for a relaxed dinner, a light lunch or even slightly chilled on a warm day, it is for unfussy pouring generously and enjoying as a good, reliable house red delivering everything you want for the price – simplicity, good fruit, easy charm and an unmistakable taste of the Douro. It will benefit from decanting for 45 minutes or so if you can, otherwise a good swirl in the glass should do the trick for getting the most out of this charming little red.

Quinta do Ameal dates back to the early 1700s but its acquisition by the team at Esporão a few years ago has seen it given a wonderful new lease of life. Bico Amarelo is an affordable but serious Vinho Verde, without the sweetness or spritz of many examples. This is a blend of avesso, loureiro and alvrarinho grapes from across the region. The nose is crisp and fresh with lemon verbena and pear. The palate is pure and refreshing, with a touch of fresh mint towards the end.

Casa Ermalinda Freitas is one of Portugal's most famous and highly regarded wineries and offer great consistency. Their slick set-up means they can produce delicious wines at very affordable prices and this is an excellent example. A delicately fruity, versatile blend of Portuguese grapes fernão pires, antão vaz and verdelho, with grapy freshness and easy drinkability. No-nonsense, charming and easy-going with authentic Portuguese charm.

From family-owned Casa Ermelinda Freitas, south-east of Lisbon, this friendly red combines local castelão, which is all juicy red fruits, with Alicante Bouschet, which brings darker black fruit and fleshiness. Casa Ermelinda Freitas is a significant family-owned company established in 1920 and run by successive generations of dynamic women. This is a supple, juicy red to enjoy on its own or with a host of dishes. A good, honest, easy-drinking house red which has proven a real hit with Society members.

Fresh, crisp and immediately appealing on the nose, with notes of lemon curd, green apple and a hint of peachy fruit. Made from alvarinho, loureiro and avesso, this is simple, charming and very easy to enjoy. There’s a ripeness and generosity to the fruit that is neatly balanced by bright acidity and a core of lemon pith and crunchy apple. Lightly spritzy, zesty and refreshing, it’s an uncomplicated, easy going vinho verde designed purely for pleasure.

A brilliant example of Portugal's prowess when it comes to overdelivering on anyday reds. Periquita is one of Portugal's most loved and historic brands and is produced by the José Maria da Fonseca estate in Sétubal. Periquita Tinto is an honest, easy-drinking red with real local personality. It's medium to full bodied and smells excellent, with the fruit doing the talking on the nose, however there’s a delicate and delicious thread of dark spice too. Blackcurrant leads, backed up by an inky depth, a gentle peppery bite and a subtle earthiness and with a little air, a lovely blueberry note starts to sing, bringing extra purity and a juicy lift on the palate. Made predominantly from the local Sétubal grape castelão (so synonymous with this producer it’s historically been referred to in texts as “Periquita”) blended with trincadeira and alicante bouschet, it’s authentic, satisfying, authentic and reliably delicious.

This little red really captures the easy-going charm and fruit-forward style of Lisboa. A blend of syrah (aka shiraz). touriga nacional, alicante bouschet and tinta roriz, this is lifted and juicy on the nose. There's a nice combination of black berry and blueberry fruit, a lovely touch of earthiness and bright aromatic spices. The palate is medium bodied and easy-drinking, with silky tannins, freshness and authentic Lisboa charm. Honest, friendly and crowd pleasing red at a super price.

A blend of alvarinho, arinto and viognier offering an inviting, savoury nose of sage and thyme layered with lemon cream and a gentle nuttiness from partial French oak ageing. The palate is broader than the aromatics suggest, showing satisfying concentration and a mellow, rounded texture balanced by bright citrus acidity. There is a pleasing contrast between creamy generosity and fresh definition, giving comfort and energy in equal measure. With good mid palate weight and a delicately savoury finish, this is a thoroughly gastronomic Alentejo white.

A blend of syrah, touriga franca and alicante bouschet with an immediately expressive nose of blue and purple fruits, cassis and a clear sweep of sweet spice from oak. The wood is prominent yet sits within the wine’s generous personality, adding warmth and richness rather than drying the finish. Plush and plump on the palate, it offers ripe fruit, supple tannins and a lively line of acidity that keeps everything fresh and forward. Approachable and open knit, this is an easy going, crowd pleasing Alentejo red with plenty of flavour and a bright, juicy finish.