The variety of grape styles in Portugal is bewildering and they blend everything with everything.
Strange red varieties to us such as Aragonez, Alfrocheiro, Alicante Bouschet, Moneto and Trincadeira thrive in a countryside that receives over 3000 hours of sunshine per year.
One shouldn’t be overly concerned with this as the wine is generally very good, often truly excellent and at a price point that astounds.

A random half dozen reds purchased recently produced a REAL SURPRISE bottle in amongst them all, at 4.99 euro’s. The 2010 Dona Carla D.O.C Colheita from the Douro region, started just slightly austere but after being opened for half an hour, this deep ruby colored wine displayed a riper fruity aroma with traces of vanilla and a lovely soft tannin. Incredibly drinkable. But the REAL SURPRISE came a week later when I happened upon it at the local Continente Supermarket, discounted to 2.50 euros. Needless to say I relieved them of their last 6 bottles.

It simply can not be possible to make wine this good for that kind of money…

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