Lockdown is easing at last. Hoo-blooming-rah! Being the pessimistic optimist that I am, though, I know it’ll only be a day or two before the mother of all spikes appears to spoil our fun. But, heck, until such time, I’m going to celebrate long and hard. Come and join me and don’t forgetthe corkscrew!
We’re off to Spain and Portugal for our first ever all-Iberian offer, courtesy of Honest Grapes, the founders of which — step forward Tom Harrow and Nathan Hill — know the peninsula as intimately as I now know daytime TV schedules and Deliveroo menus.
The 2019 Quinta Das Maias Branco (1) is a Malvasia/Encruzado blend from a 130-year-old organic estate in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela in the Dão region of central north-west Portugal. It’s fresh, lemony and floral and makes a fascinating alternative to Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. £11.00 down from £12.00.
A corking, all-Iberian selection with which to cheer the easing of lockdown
From Terra Alta, north-east Spain, the 2017 Celler Alimara Llumi Blanc (2) is a deliciously appealing blend of Grenache Blanc and Macabeo. If you like white Rhônes, as I do, you’ll love it. It’s fresh, citrusy, peachy and slightly creamy with perfect acidity and a clean, dry finish. £11.10 down from £12.10.
The 2018 Lavradores de Feitoria Rosé (3) comes from Portugal’s River Douro, the river of gold itself. A deep reddish pink, it’s made from Touriga Franca plus, I gather, a splash of one or two other local varieties. It’s deliciously floral on the nose (think rose petals) with plenty of wild strawberries and hedgerow fruit on the palate too. £12.10 down from £13.10.
From Spain’s Rioja Alta, the pale salmon pink 2018 La Cuna de la Poesia Rosado (4) is an extremely sophisticated rosé to rival any from Provence.
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