Last weekend The Wine Tipster was at The Hampstead Butcher and Providore , which is a Delicatessen, Charcuterie and Wine Merchant. The owner, Philip Matthews, has a fine selection of wines from Portugal, including Azamor Alentejo 2008, Alison and Joaquim Luiz-Gomes, £13.75, which like many Alentejo reds I have tasted recently has a good balance of delicious fruit, soft tannins and is friendly on the power front. Azamor is made from Syrah, the very important Alicante Bouschet, Merlot, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot, and is aged for 7 months in French and American oak.

Further north in the Douro ‘Liceiras’ Douro Red 2009, £15.95, is the second wine of Quinta da Romaneira and is made from a familiar quartet in the Douro of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz and Tinto Cao, with 18 months in French oak. Liceiras pronounced ‘Lisseirash’ is one of the most elegant and delicate Douro reds that I have tasted, with blackcurrant, cherries, spice, soft tannins and an alluring freshness.  The gentle style of this red will suit fans of Fleurie, Morgon and other Beaujolais crus.