Let’s start with a question: are you one of those who stays true to the same wine, or one who likes to experiment? I don’t want to overdo it… Here’s another one: for those who read labels on the run, or for those who spend hours walking through the wine cellar? Now… enough questions… let’s get down to business. Those who don’t take risks don’t gain anything, and this phrase, like (almost) everything, can be applied to wines. Of course, there are preferences, refined tastes, favorite wines. But to be a good connoisseur, you need to experiment, explore, discover and have fun. And where is the best place to do this? A wine cellar similar to Mercadona, with quality wines from a wide range of varieties, suppliers and regions.
The long-term relationships that Mercadona establishes with its suppliers and, in this case, with Portuguese wine producers, are a guaranteed guarantee of offering the best flavours.
Today we are going to the Douro with offers for four red This White, with a quality guarantee from Mercadona experts, to experiment and have fun with these “tests”. There are companions for every dish. So, take the opportunity and choose your perfect “match.” How about one meal a week dedicated to gastronomy and Douro wine? Doru October seems like a good idea to us. Trust us… Let’s look at five suggestions.
Winery Vila Real Reserva
Director: Cooperative Adega de Vila Real
Varieties: Tinta Roris, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional.
Alcohol level: 14% vol.
Functions: A wine with intense red fruit aromas, smooth and balanced. On the palate, this is a rich and velvety wine, very gastronomic, which goes well with traditional Portuguese cuisine.
Price: 3 euros
Reserve half-shield
Director: Quinta do Crasto
Varieties: Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roris.
Alcohol level: 14% vol.
Functions: A wine with intense aroma of wild Douro fruits with soft floral notes. Fruity, fresh, balanced wine with a persistent aftertaste. A very versatile wine that goes well with cheeses, pastas, fish, white and red meats.
Price: 5.65 euros
Conde Moreira Nature Reserve
Director: Farmers of Feitoria
Varieties: Tinta Roris, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca
Alcohol level: 13.5% vol.
FunctionsWine: very fruity, with very ripe red fruit, with subtle and well integrated wood. In the mouth the wine is intense and very fruity. The excellent structure and balance between fruit and wood make the wine stand out, making it a very elegant wine. The aftertaste is long and persistent. Drink alone or at a table. Pairs perfectly with all types of meat, including game meat. Complex and balanced wine with aromas of red and black forest fruits, with soft notes of spice and licorice.
Price: 3.3 euros
Count Moreira
Director: Cooperative Adega de Vila Real
Varieties: Tinta Roris, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional.
Alcohol level: 14% vol.
FunctionsTaste: Intense in the mouth, with pronounced ripe black fruits. Good acidity and soft tannins make this wine very attractive and elegant. It goes well with all types of meat and rich traditional Portuguese dishes such as roast lamb or veal.
Price: 2.5 euros
Count Moreira Branco
Director: Farmers of Feitoria
Varieties: Malvasia Fina, Gouveio, Syria.
Alcohol level: 12.5% vol.
Functions: This white Douro wine is produced from vines over 20 years old, has a straw color, a very fresh and fruity aroma, rich in notes of fresh fruits such as apricot, pear and tropical fruits. Aged in stainless steel tanks to preserve all the lushness typical of young Douro wines. Excellent as an aperitif, with fish, seafood, pizza, pasta and oriental dishes.
Price: 2.6 euros
Characteristics to consider when choosing a good wine
At Mercadona, in accordance with the Transparency Policy, the labels on wine bottles contain all the information so that the “Bosses” (as customers call them) make the perfect choice with all the useful features that may matter when choosing a wine.
1. Name of the wine. Knowing the name of the wine makes it much easier to find it on the shelf. And here we turn to those who like to buy and re-buy the same wine, or to those who go to Garrafeira da Mercadona in search of our proposals…
2. Region of origin. “Today” we went to the Douro, but in Garrafeira da Mercadona you can find many regions dedicated to wine production. Not to mention subregions, more delimited territories. This information is important when choosing the right wine.
3. Denomination, stamp of origin. This is a mark of quality that guarantees that wines are produced in a specific region in compliance with the regulations in force in that region.
4. Producer. This is one of the most important characteristics, since each producer has his own style and preferences, which can make all the difference – for example, getting a fruitier wine or a wine with a hint of wood…
5. Caste. Between Portuguese varieties (Loureiro, Arinto, Touriga Nacional, Baga, Tinta Roris…) and international varieties (such as the popular Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay…), the type of grape will determine whether the wine is fuller-bodied, whether it has more flavor or less intense…
6. Harvest. The vintage year is another important point. Did you know that red wines should generally be consumed within five years? What about white and rose wines, preferably next year?
7. Alcohol strength. What can we learn here? That high-grade wine was made in a hot climate in which the grapes ripened better. And what does it mean? The wine will be richer and have a stronger taste.
When in doubt, you always know that you can choose what seems most suitable and well delivered. There is complete confidence in Garrafeira da Mercadona. It’s because? Because we know that among the various shelves in this section, there are the best options coming from specialized suppliers from various demarcated regions of the countrywhich “guarantee maximum quality down to the last drop,” according to Mercadona experts.
If you would like to know more about the wines that are sold at Garrafeira da Mercadona, you can visit one of the more than 40 Mercadona stores in Portugal or visit Mercadona.pt.
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.