Sertorio Vinho Tinto

Silver medal winner, Sommelier Challenge 2019

Further to the north of Lisbon are the Dao and Beiras regions, not quite as far north as the famous Douro of Port production fame, but one of the most prominent in terms of red wine production in Portugal.  Granite soils and moderate elevations result in a wonderfully consistent quality of fruit, with great drainage, sunshine, and daytime/nighttime temperature spikes.

Touriga Nacional is the most highly-regarded red varietal in Portugal, used for fortified Ports and the finest red blends throughout the country;  Tinta Roriz, also know by its Spanish name of Tempranillo ,  is a very dark red variety that lends great texture and spice; and Alfrocheiro, which makes up 50% of this blend, is a variety that really shines in its youth, adding dark color, velvety texture, and some spicy, minty and black currant notes.

Sertorio tinto (red) is a definitive mistura of these three varietals  that truly exemplifies the wines of this region - it is dark red, with a nose of ripe red fruit and some spice.  One might expect this to be a wine of powerful alcohol, but in fact it is quite reasonable at 12.5%.  Lively flavors of red berries and spice are balanced with a certain earthiness and minerality, and a long finish, possibly the most distinct red wine in the Until Next Time portfolio today.  Try it with a garlicky pork loin, a lamb chop, or a winter stew or meat soup, and enjoy.