Rosé season is not over

A few Portuguese rosé wines you will want to enjoy this fall!

I have adapted this article from the original blog post, which winexp.pt posted recently. If you’d like to read the original or would like to read it in Portuguese, please click here.

Some people say that summer is for rosé; I say those people are boring. Rosé season is year-round and is still going strong right now. Don’t stop drinking those rosé wines because it’s fall. This is, in my mind, the best season to enjoy these wines. They will add fresh and lively memories of summer fun to your day. I want to tell you about some amazing Portuguese rosé wines that are perfect for this time of year.

But first, how rosé wines are made

Most rosé wines are made using the maceration method.  This is where red grape skins are left in contact with the juice for anywhere from an hour to over 24 hours. This process gives rosé its range of colors, from pale pink to deeper salmon.  While the maceration method is the most common, there are two other techniques. The Saignée method involves "bleeding" off some juice from a tank with crushed red grapes early in fermentation. This intensifies the flavors and color. This method also increases the concentration of tannins. Another method involves blending, in which a winemaker adds a small amount of red wine to white wine to create rosé. This technique is more common in sparkling wine regions like Champagne. It takes only a small percentage of red wine to achieve the desired pink hue.

Let’s get into some Portuguese rosé wines!

Feel & Soul

Feel & Soul is located in the Vinho Verde sub-region of Baião, located in the south eastern part of the region. The vineyard has stunning views of the Douro and the owners thought immediately upon seeing the land that the area "filled their soul". The winery started in 2017 and it practices organic farming and winemaking techniques.  However, today, I want to talk about their Enthusiast Palheto Minho Regional Wine 2021.  With a limited production of only 799 bottles, this is one you should grab as soon as you can. 

The wine is a beautiful salmon color made up of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Viosinho and made by an amazing female winemaker, Sandra Fonseca.  On the palate you get vibrant crushed raspberries and strawberries with great acidity and a small amount of silky tannins.  At 13% alcohol, it’s great on its own but pairs wonderfully with a relaxed lunch or dinner by the water. While many rosés are best with lighter fare, this one’s structure and tannins make it a great match for grilled meats, including chicken, sausage, or even slow-roasted beef or goat.

Herdade Canal Caveira

Set in the Península de Setúbal region just outside Lisbon and close to the Atlantic Ocean, this picturesque winery spans 25 hectares with 14 different grape varieties. Since the construction of their new winery in 2016, they’ve been crafting wines with some unique aging methods, including in caves, underwater, and traditional cellars.

Now, let’s talk about their beautiful rosé wine, Serra Brava Aragonês Alfrocheiro 2021. This rosé is a lovely salmon color and is made from 50% Alfrocheiro and 50% Aragonês. Despite its 14% alcohol content, which is on the higher side for a rosé, it’s well-balanced, avoiding any harshness. Expect fresh flavors of red currants, raspberries, and strawberries, with hints of citrus and floral notes. This wine is perfect for a sunny lunch or a beach picnic. It pairs wonderfully with seafood, salads, and sushi. Imagine yourself grabbing some sushi to-go, spreading out a blanket on the beach, and enjoying the sunset with a glass of this refreshing rosé with friends. 

Pista Wines

Pista Wines is in Alter de Pedroso, in the heart of the Alentejo wine region.  The winery may have only been started in 2020, but they are on a mission of sustainability with respect and admiration for the past, the present and the future of the land. Pista Wines spans 5 hectares, with 4 dedicated to vineyards.

Tapada da Fonte Rosé, is a stunning wine, with a pale pink color, similar to the light colored wines of Provence.  It is made from Touriga Nacional and Syrah, two grapes that grow very well in the Alentejo region.  On the nose, you'll find notes of strawberries and red currants, hints of floral aromas and wild raspberries, you may also find very subtle herbaceous notes as well.  The finish is quite long for a rosé and will leave you wanting another sip.  It’s a wine that makes you to celebrate warm September evenings on the beach or outside on your deck enjoying the afternoon sun.  This rosé does not need food, it is a great afternoon wine, however, it will pair wonderfully with grilled chicken, smoked fish dips and fresh salads.  

Quinta da Boa Esperança

Quinta da Boa Esperança has been making wine for over a 100 years in the Lisboa wine region, just 45 minutes north of Lisbon.  They are truly an iconic Portuguese wine brand.  The team has had a focus on sustainability in the vineyard and in the winemaking. They know how important their impact on the land is for future generations. 

Quinta da Boa Esperança Rosé is made from 40% Castelão, 40% Touriga Nacional and 20% Syrah.  It is a lovely pale salmon color.  You'll find aromas of fresh citrus, fresh red fruit and has a long finish that is perfect for enjoying the sunset with your feet in the sand. 

Quinta da Boa Esperança Rosé Reserva is a made from 100% Touriga Nacional.  It has a beautiful bouquet of fresh strawberries, lemon, tart apple, lychee and raspberries with a creamy, saline long finish that will make you want to immediately take another sip.  This wine spent 9 months aging in French oak barrels which gives it a beautiful creamy rich feel.  This is one of those wines that you will want to open on that special occasion this fall. It pairs perfectly with an early evening walk on the beach to catch the last moments of the sun or in the woods followed by a fresh grilled seafood dish. 

ManzWine

ManzWine is located in the village of Cheleiros with deep ties to grape growing.  The regions agricultural land was replaced with development but ManzWine came in and brought back winemaking to the village.  André Manz, the owner, bought an abandoned vineyard which included the almost extinct grape Jampal, he resurrected the grape by planting many hectares and it now has over 31 hectares planted in the Lisboa region as well as in northern Portugal.  He really is a pioneer in this region. 

Made from 100% Castelão, this beautiful wine has perfect acidity, with flavors of fresh raspberries and wild strawberries with a hint of sweetness. The wine would pair best at the beach after soaking in the sun and swimming in the ocean.  It makes for a great aperitif and would pair beautifully with sushi.  

Herdade do Sobroso

Herdade do Sobroso boasts a stunning 1600 hectare property set in on the banks of the Guadiana River where the upper and lower Alentejo meet.  The property has vines, olive trees, cork trees and is bordered by the Mendro mountain range to the north and is part of the DOC Vidigueira Region.  It truly is a stunning experience when you see their property in person.

Herdade do Sobroso Cellar Selection Rosé is a stunning light salmon color made from 100% Syrah.  A grape that grows incredibly in the Alentejo region. The wine will amaze your taste buds with tropical fruit flavors alongside the classic fresh raspberry notes. The acidity is beautiful and the wine is exceptionally balanced with a long finish. This wine deserves a delicious meal out on the town.  Enjoy the fall weather while remembering those special moments from summer inside your glass.  

Arvad Wines

Arvad Wines is in the Algarve, ​​on the banks of the River Arade in Silves. The name Arvad means refuge, which is the original name of the river, named by the Phoenicians over 2,500 years ago. It is their nod to the history of the land. The 9 hectares of vineyards are planted in an area with a Mediterranean climate with a large diurnal range and exposure to northern winds. All of these things make it a great location for a thriving vineyard. 

Arvad Rosé is a gorgeous light salmon color made from a blend of Touriga Nacional and Cabernet Sauvignon. It aged for 5 months on lees which give it a beautiful complexity and creaminess. The wine also has delightful floral notes, strawberries, raspberries and red currants with very balanced acidity. This is a crowd pleaser wine and needs to be enjoyed with people you love. I recommend grabbing a bottle and walking down the the beach to watch the sunset. You don't even need food, but you can definitely bring some lovely snacks with you, a little charcuterie plate with cheese and crackers will do well with the wine during your beach picnic.  

Quinta das Cerejeiras

Quinta das Cerejeiras is in Bombarral, a village in the Lisboa wine region's Óbidos sub-region. This is one of three estates that the Sanguinhal Agricultural Company runs. The others are Quinta do Sanguinhal and Quinta de S. Francisco. The estates total about 100 hectares in the Óbidos DOC. The third and fourth generations of the Pereira da Fonseca family manage the properties and take great pride in tradition with a commitment to innovation and modernization. You'll want to visit this estate and see the home of the founder, their beautiful gardens, a museum and a 16th century chapel. Not to mention get to taste through all of their beautiful wines.

Quinta das Cerejeiras Lisboa Rosé is light salmon in color made from Castelão and Moscatel-Graúdo grapes.  Its label is based on the original Claret Reserva Rosado from 1934. They base the labels on all their wines on the original labels. It has a really special quality thanks to the uniqueness of the blend. You will find acidity and freshness with raspberries, strawberries, floral as well as mint notes.  It truly is a special rosé wine that received some high scores in competitions. I suggest pairing it with a tuna pâté sitting outside a café or at the beach watching the waves come in.  It really goes with any lovely fall day or evening.  

If you are in Portugal or planning a visit, you can easily book wine experiences at all of the above vineyards here.

If you live outside of Portugal, Yon Wine is an incredible company that will pick up all of your wines from various wineries around Portugal and ship them together. Not every winery above is available, but Manzwine and ARVAD are. They also add new winery partners all the time. Shop via Yon Wine here.

If you live in the US, The Vinho are a small distributor of delicious Portuguese wines. I have had all but two (that is going to be rectified very soon) and highly recommend their wines. Shop here.