Clay Pot Red Wine From Portugal's Alentejo

Portuguese wines are a treat, whether you're drinking a wonderful Porto or a still wine from the Douro Valley. Today's wine is from the Alentejo region in the south of Portugal.

The 2024 Rocim Amphora Vinho Tinto utilizes the Portuguese grape varieties of 50% Moreto, 30% Tinta Grossa, 15% Trincadeira, and 5% Aragonez. Alcohol rests comfortably at 12% abv and retails for $18. That's a steal. 

It is often described as a "chillable red," a term which winemaker Pedro Ribeira doesn't seem to wholly agree with, although he admitts the wine does refresh nicely on a hot day with some cooling beforehand. It has almost a claret coloring. Ribeira says the notion of chillable reds sometimes takes away from the true character of a wine.  

This wine is lightly tinted, a little redder than a rosato, but not as dark as most red wines. The nose is fruity, yet earthy. I smell red plums, blackberries, cherries, and a faint licorice note. The mouthfeel is full and clean, almost a creamy presentation of red fruit. The tannins are light, but the acidity is very refreshing. I wouldn't fault you for dropping an ice cube in it for summer enjoyment. I heard someone say they wanted to make sangria from it, and that sounds like a good idea. I'll just sip mine, though. 

Follow Randy Fuller on X and BlueSky