Richard Mayson is a top guy who has written five books on Portuguese wines and who recognised sometime ago the potential of the Alentejo region. In 2005 Richard rewarded his judgement and bought Quinta do Centro, located in Reguengo in the Portalegre sub region in the north-east of Alentejo, forming a new wine company Sonho Lusitano with the very influential Portuguese winemaker Rui Reguinga.

On Thursday evening The Wine Tipster presented a Discover a World of Difference Tasting at The Oxford Wine Company, Cirencester including Richard’s Pedra Basta 2009,  Alentejo, £14.49, a blend of Trincadeira, Tinto Roriz, Alicante Bouschet with less than 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged in new and one year old French oak. The 2009 is a wonderful, complex, top flight Alentejo red with plums, damsons, vanilla and spice balanced by the trademark elegance of the wines from Sonho Lustiano. Drink 2012-2018 Stockists: The Oxford Wine Company Cirencester branch, Hanging Ditch Wines, The Wine Society.

You should also try Richard’s Pedro e Alma 2009, £24.60, a high class blend of Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Aragonez from 30 year old vines.  Stockist: WineBear.com

Earlier this week we had a fun and lively evening at the long established and very popular Bleeding Heart Bistro – there is also a restaurant and tavern. The Wine Tipster was presenting a selection of Portuguese wines with the theme of Discover a World of Difference, matched with excellent dishes from The Bleeding Heart. We kicked off with the creamy, fresh, dry Pato Frio Seleccao 2011 white Ribafreixo from Alentejo with probably the most popular dish of the evening Migas with Portuguese Chourico. With the next course the Bacalhau cut through the intensity of the Alvarinho 2009, Quinta de Pacos,Vinho Verde, followed by the match of the evening Quinto do Pinto 2009 Touiriga Nacional, Lisboa, with Grilled Sardines and Confit of Lemon Zest (pictured right).  Drinking red Vinho Verde was a new experience for many and Quinta da Raza’s 2011 Vinhão (grape variety) is full of delicious, intense fruit, low tannins and crisp acidity, served with Smoked Chaves -village in Trás- os-Montes Presunto Croquettes, whilst the Callabriga Alentejo 2009 blend of Alfrochiero, Alicante Bouchet and Aragonés was a definite crowd pleaser with pork rillettes with Apricot and Sage (pictured below). Travelling up to the Douro and Pôpa Old Vines 2008, which is a blend of 21 different varieties made by the charming and influential Luis Pato – check out their Tinto Roriz 2009 -A smooth, full bodied tinto low on assertive tannins, with plums, spice and flinty character. We finished an excellent evening with the stunning Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Waitrose £35.49, served with Trás-on-Montes Terrincho Cheese.

Photos courtesy of Sam Lynas, Bleeding Heart Yard