SJ1-R Cork/SJ1-R HALF - DOC Dão - Touriga Nacional (40%), Alfrocheiro (30%) & Aragonês(30%) - 13%

The grapes used to make this wine are varieties picked up in vineyards situated in some of the best terroirs of the Dão region. This producer has made a deep ruby coloured wine with intense aromas of ripe red berries & a soft well rounded taste. A fruity wine with a semi rustic character that is very well priced. A good introduction to this famous Portuguese wine region.

A wine with no oak, it ages 4 years in concrete tanks & 2 years in the bottle making it a genuine Dao wine with freshness.

Style: Silky, fruity red.

Serving Temperature: 15 - 16ºC.

Suggestions: This wine can be enjoyed by itself, with veal fillet in cream sauce or duck breast with fruity sauces.

SJ5-R - DOC Bairrada - Baga (30%), Touriga Nacional (30%), Syrah (25%) & Cabernet Sauvignon (15%) - 14%

The grapes were manually harvested & after a careful selection & destemming have macerated one & a half weeks in a vat with a pneumatic press.

It is an intense, fresh & complex wine that is very elegant & medium bodied with complex aromas of black & red fruits & some toast, coffee & cinnamon notes from partial ageing in oak barrels. It has moderate tannins with excellent quality & a long, pleasant finish.

Style: Warm hearted herby red

Serving Temperature: 17 – 18ºC.

Suggestions: Drink with roast or grilled red meats. It also matches with game & strong cheeses.

SJ2-R - DOC Dão - Touriga Nacional - 13%

Touriga Nacional is the great undiscovered grape from Portugal & this wine is a great example of the most highly prized grape in the Dão region. The complex aromas are a joy to discover & are a mixture of raspberries, ripe blackcurrants, herbs & orange blossom. Touriga Nacional has been discovered by new world wine producers & can be found in Chilean & New Zealand wines but the Portuguese still make the best & this is one of them in a traditional bottle with a lovely cork label.

Style: Silky Red

Serving Temperature: 16 – 18ºC.

Suggestions: A great accompaniment to game & meat in rich sauces. It is also a very quaffable wine with canapés.

Wine Merchant top 50 wine 2014, UK.

SJ4-R Cork - DOC Bairrada - Baga, Castelão & Moreto - 13%

Where else can you try a 25 year old red from a quality producer at this price? This rich & complex wine emphasises the smoky notes & dark fruits that lead you in it as soon as you open the bottle. The moderate acidity & well integrated tannins shows a freshness that belies its age with real elegance.

An interesting wine to compare with our later vintage Poço do Lobo as the grapes are from the same blocks & made in the same style, but a long time apart.

Serving Temperature: 18ºC.

Suggestions: Peppered steak, venison & cheese are all great matches for this wine.

SJ2-SPK - Bairrada - Bical, Maria Gomes, Chardonnay & Arinto - 12.5%

Bairrada is the ‘Champagne’ region of Portugal & is famous for the quality Espumate that it produces & their use of the traditional method. The quality of this Brut rivals some of the best sparkling wine from France or any other country.

This smooth wine has pineapple, lemon & bags of green apple aromas & a mousse-like texture that comes together to produce a quality wine that can be enjoyed at any special occasion. A natural match to the local delicacy of suckling pig as it cuts through the fat beautifully.

Serving Temperature: 8°C

Suggestions: A quality sparkling wine perfect to be appreciated by itself as an aperitif & can also be enjoyed with smoked & oily fish, shellfish such as oysters, cold meats, pâté’s & desserts.

SJ5-SPK - Bairrada - Bical, Maria Gomes, Chardonnay & Arinto - 12.5%

Made using the traditional method. This complex ‘Espumante’ is a perfect step up from the entry level range for a fractional increase in price.

If you like your sparkling wines less dry with lots of apples & tropical notes (pineapple & citrus peel) here is a good option. Slight toasted qualities & delectable smoothness in the mouth confirms that it is well worth increasing your budget for.

Serving Temperature: 6 - 8°C

Suggestions: An easy drinking sparkling wine for special occasions that can also be enjoyed with canapés, cold meats, pâté’s & fruit desserts.

SJ6-SPK Cork - Bairrada - Bical(30%), Chardonnay (30%), Maria Gomes(20%) & Arinto (20%) - 12.5%

Made using the traditional method. With fresh aromatics such as dry lemon & orange blossom, it is a dry sparkling wine with a crisp foam & a perfect balanced texture. The success of the entry level Brut has been phenomenal so the time is right to introduce your customers to the next level up in Portuguese sparkling wine.

Serving Temperature: 6 - 8°C

Suggestions: Perfect as an aperitif or it can also be enjoyed with fat meat as suckling pig, oily fish, canapés, cold meats & pâté’s.

SJ1-SPK Cork - Bairrada - Baga 60% & Pinot Noir 40% - 12.5%

Made using the traditional method. One of the fastest growing trends in the UK wine market is the rise of quality sparkling rosé. This one fits the bill perfectly & is a rosé brut sparkling also from the wonderful Caves São João.

This region is known for producing the best sparkling wine in Portugal & this is no exception. Strawberries in a punnet on the nose & on the palate but with a creamed dryness that makes this a serious contender for rosé lovers. Great fun for bubbly enthusiasts & serious wine drinkers alike.

Style: Brut rosé sparkling

Serving Temperature: 7 - 9°C

Suggestions: An easy drinking sparkling that matches very well with food such as venison terrine, canapés, Asian food, pâté’s & desserts.

SJ4-SPK - Bairrada - Baga (40%), Touriga Nacional (30%), Cabernet Sauvignon(30%) - 12.5%

Made using the traditional method. This is the most recent sparkling made by Caves São João. This region is known for producing the best sparkling wine in Portugal but this dry red sparkling is a new venture that is proving very successful. It has a deep ruby colour, with intense notes of red & black fruits such as raspberries, blackcurrants & blueberries.

On the palate it is fresh with creamy foam that makes this a serious sparkling red. The increase in popularity for this style of sparkling is increasing rapidly so make sure you have one in your range.

Style: Brut red sparkling

Serving Temperature: 10 - 12ºC

Suggestions: An easy drinking sparkling that matches very well with oily fish, BBQ & roast turkey.