Portugal Under-£10 Whites Case

A gently creamy, inviting nose leads into a mellow, broad palate underpinned by a clear mineral drive. Aromatically, vital brings subtle orchard fruit and texture to the blend, arinto contributes citrus lift and freshness, while chardonnay adds a touch of stone fruit and richness. From the historic 70 hectare Quinta de Pancas estate founded in 1495 and now impressively revitalised by new owners, Vinha da Raposa (meaning Fox Vineyard) spends around six months in third fill French oak. The oak is beautifully judged, adding breadth and complexity without excess. Surprisingly good and very well handled.

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.

Periquita is one of the most historic and popular wine names in Portugal and is owned by the excellent estate, José Maria da Fonseca. The white, made from sauvignon blanc, verdelho, viosinho and viognier, is a superb example of the deliciousness and genuine personality that Portugal's wines offer even under £8 a bottle. This is a fresh, easy-going blend which is lifted and inviting on the nose, with vibrant white berries, citrus peel and delicate floral notes, plus a gentle blossom-like perfume. Dry, crisp and mouthwatering on the palate, it starts with a clean, zesty snap before a subtle, appetising hint of tonic bitterness adds extra refreshment and makes it particularly moreish. A twist of green apple and bright herbaceousness builds on the finish. A delicious, aromatic and refreshing crowd-pleaser, it’s easy going and authentically Portuguese.

A cunning white blend from the Alentejo region south east of Lisbon. Made up of Arinto, bringing zesty citrus character and focus, alvarinho for stone fruit flavours and viognier for a little extra body and aromatic generosity. This has real energy, generosity and freshness and is a pure, easy-drinking white which combines good breadth of flavour with structure and a flavours of lime, apples and a fresh mineral profile.

A super example of the broader and fuller style of Douro white wines. This blend of local grape varieties rabigato, arinto, viosinho and gouveio spent six months in French oak, rounding out the acidity and bringing a softer and slightly broader texture. The nose shows mellow spices and apple core, with a savoury character and ripe peachy fruit, backed up by a suave nuttiness. The palate is peach and apple driven, with a broad and fuller body. A lovely mellow white wine that really overdelivers at the price.

Crisp, dry and classically styled vinho verde made from predominantly the loureiro grape, with arinto in the mix too. Loureiro translates as 'laurel', in reference to the distinctive aroma of the berries and its delicately aromatic, pretty and floral quality. Arinto is a focused lemony grape variety that bring tension and freshness to the wine. On the nose there's chamomile, jasmine, nectarine and notes of lemon posset. The palate is dry and refreshing, with a little crisp apple, orange peel and a delicious delicate creaminess.