As an independent wine merchants we very much enjoy the freedom of finding wines that are made by small and sometimes artisanal producers that don't usually find their way into main stream outlets.
These wines offer fabulous value, excellent quality and have been made by people with a real passion for wine with high quality control throughout from vine to wine. However, despite these wines fantastic style and flavours and being well worth drinking, they often get ignored, which is a great shame.
So, below is just one of our lesser known wines that you should give serious consideration to, because it is fabulous! We'll do further blogs on our other lesser known wines from other countries, later.
Portugal: Famous for its Port, yet we rarely think to buy its table wines. The grapes are unknown to most UK consumers. Maybe it's fear of the unknown that puts consumers off. But that is why we as wine mercahnts are here. We can help point you toward different, exciting wines!
Grape Varieties: 40% Rabigato, 30% Moscatel, 15% Codega, 15% Viosinho
It's a chill wind, as they say, which is just what 'Ventozelo' means and what this wine needs, chilling for 30 minutes. It is made for hot summers day enjoyment! The vines are planted at 400-500 metres, to get better natural acidity. Beautifully balanced, 50% is barrel fermented (blend of French/Hungarian/American oak). Leanings to white Burgundy and at a great price of just £9.99. Burgundy quality wine that doesn't hurt the wallet! That can't be a bad thing.
This wine is a simply glorious match with pan fried sea bass with a citrus dressing and is perfect to enjoy on a hot summers day and this is perhaps unsurprising when you think the estate was sold to a Spanish fish dealer who had grand plans!
He invested heavily in the estate and the transformation and investment have been staggering. Neatly terraced vineyards are now almost entirely planted to 16 different varieties whilst the second phase of investment in the winery is now reaching completion. The scale of the work that has already been done is amazing.
The Wine Spectator has recently voted Ventozelo as the value brand of the year whilst giving two of the single varietal table wines 92 & 93 points. The combination of some of the most amazing vineyards sites along with progressive, open minded owners means that this is sure to become one of the stars of Portuguese wine.
For one possible recipe for sea bass to match this wine click the link below from the BBC Good Food site:
Blog written by: John Martin
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