Wine a Day

Let’s face it; we are all creatures of habit. We like what we know and the unknown is often considered something to fear. Trying something new is always an interesting experience though. It is not always pleasant, but pushing yourself to do, see, feel or taste something new makes you grow. I have had a lot of new experiences recently; a new apartment in a new city. Lot’s of governmental bureaucracy. Trying to find a way to get all the things I have been used to at different shops with different names. It is frustrating sometimes, but it does force me to try new things a lot.

Inspired by this, I went out to look for a new wine to try. Not a new brand, a new grape all together. To do this I had to search out the local wine shop. This I discovered isn’t as local as I had hoped. I was looking though the mainly Portuguese options for something different. Something red and something big… I did manage to find a bottle after a bit of searching. It is not as though I have never had the grape before; but when I have had the grape, it has always been in a blend.

So this week’s Wine Experience of the week is the 2004 Herdade do Esporão Alicante Bouschet. Not hear of the grape before? Well it isn’t that common to find single varietal wine of Alicante Bouschet. It is mainly used in blends. It is a teinturire grape, which means its flesh is red, so it produces red wine without having to re-add the skins to get the colour. It is a cross between Grenache and Petit Bouschet grapes and as the name suggests, it is French. It is not grown that widely in France anymore though, some regions in France it is become extinct. It is grown in the USA, Italy and South America. There is a large amount of it in Portugal, mainly in the Alentejo region.

Herdade do Esporão is using some of the Alicante Bouschet grapes, that they usually use in blending their great Red Reserve, among other wines, to produce a single varietal wine. Many other producers in the region are doing this as well. I for one think it is fantastic.

This wine will not be for everyone. It is big at 14.5% and it is a very rich wine. Not something you have with a light meal. If you are like me however, and do enjoy a big red every now and then, then this wine gives you a different option to a big Shiraz or Durif when you are in the mood. It has the red berry and oaky smell that makes you want to dive in. The taste is of more berry fruit and a spice with a hint of licorice at the end. It goes very well with a big rich red meat dish like a stew or a steak with a big sauce.

If you are looking for something different and do not want to break the bank, this is a very good option if you find it. At around €15 I think it is exceptional value. So if you see it give it a try, you will enjoy it if you are into a big red every now and then.