Portugal is arguably the most underrated European wine region out there for wonderfully complex, brilliantly inexpensive wines and the reason is clear: they tend to use local grapes that people can’t pronounce and the wines tend to be blended too, which can be an extra barrier to understanding immediately what they are. Once you get over that however, you’ll know to seek out these stunning Iberian sippers because you’ll know they’re relatively undiscovered gems that will knock it out the park for price.
Here’s what we tasted and the bites we paired them with:
Florão 2023 - Ocado (£15) or Portugal Vineyards
This is a bright and breezy white from northern Alentejo, where higher vineyards and cooler nights bring a welcome lift to this sun-soaked part of Portugal. It’s made from Verdelho and Arinto, two native grapes that thrive on freshness rather than weight and you can expect ripe citrus, pineapple and a hint of apricot blossom, followed by a clean, lightly textured and gently mineral palate, with a refreshing line of acidity that keeps everything in check. It tastes like warm days, cool evenings and the sort of holiday where lunch quietly turns into dinner. A seriously drinkable white that is equally happy with grilled fish, salads, or poured generously just because it’s open.
Paired with Vietnamese prawn and avocado filo cups
Altano Rewilding Douro 2022 - Tesco (£11)
A partnership with Rewilding Portugal, money from every bottle sold goes towards rewilding the Portguese countryside. It’s a vibrant, easy-going red from the Douro is made in a lighter, fresher style than you might expect from this dramatic region, which is famous for Port. Crafted from a classic local blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca, it’s all about drinkability rather than heft. You can expect juicy black cherry, wild berries and a flicker of spice, followed by a supple, softly textured palate with bright acidity and gently grippy tannins that keep things fresh and moreish. It tastes like lazy Sunday roasts ending up by the fire and the sort of wine that disappears faster than planned. An effortlessly likeable red that works just as well slightly chilled, with roast chicken, veggie dishes or a midweek supper.
Paired with hot mushroom toasts and gruyère cheese
Graham’s Blend No.5 White Port - Waitrose (£26.50)
A funky looking WHITE Port again from the Douro Valley, this is a fresh and modern take on the style, made to be lighter on its feet than the after-dinner classics. It’s bright and floral, made with local aromatic varieties including Malvasia Fina and Moscatel (Muscat) Gallego and you can expect citrus peel, orange blossom and a soft honeyed glow, with a clean, medium-dry palate that feels crisp rather than cloying. It tastes like sun on white stone and it equally wonderful sipped chilled with hard cheese or mixed with Mediterranean tonic and a slice of orange.
Paired with brie and fig toasts with a walnut topping
Cockburn’s 10YO Tawny Port - Sainsbury’s (£18.50)
A great example of a Tawny Port, this is a beautifully mellow, nutty style of Port, where wines are aged slowly in small oak casks to develop their signature tawny character. Made from a traditional blend of local grapes including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz and hailing form the Douro Valley, it’s all about time, texture and quiet complexity. Tasting-wise, think toasted nuts, caramel and dried fig, with hints of orange peel and warm spice, followed by a silky, gently sweet palate that feels polished rather than heavy. The acidity keeps it lively, the finish lingers, and it tastes like the luxury of not rushing anywhere. A brilliant bottle to keep on hand and it’s perfect with hard cheeses, nutty desserts or simply poured slowly at the end of the evening, when one glass really is enough. If that is ever true.
Paired with milk chocolate discs with pistachio dried cranberry and clementine
Cockburn’s Special Reserve Port - Sainsbury’s on offer (£11)
The step up form the norm Ruby Port is a rich, crowd-pleasing sipper from the Douro Valley, blended for depth, fruit and immediate appeal rather than long ageing. Made again from the classic local varieties including Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, it’s bold, generous and unapologetically comforting. A benchmark example of a Ruby, this oozes ripe black cherry, blackberry and dark chocolate, with a hint of spice and a plush, warming palate that feels smooth and satisfying without tipping into heaviness. A brilliant-value Port to have on standby, especially at this promotion price. It’s perfect with chocolate desserts, strong cheeses, or poured by the fire when the evening calls for something indulgent but familiar.
Paired with warm dates stuffed with stilton wrapped in prosciutto
Graham’s 2020 Late Bottled Vintage (LBV) Port - Tesco (£18)
Drawn from a single standout harvest in the Douro Valley, this ready-to-drink, Late Bottled Vintage Port sits beautifully between youthful fruit and early maturity. Made from a traditional blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz, it delivers depth and structure without the need for years of cellar patience. The nose leans into blackberry compote, damson and cocoa, with a flicker of spice. On the palate it’s rich and generous, yet still composed and fresh, with firm but polished tannins. It has that classic LBV confidence: bold, assured and quietly impressive. Ideal with chocolate desserts or blue cheese, but just as satisfying on its own when you want something warming, reassuring and a little bit special at the end of the day.
Paired with Christmas cake bon bons
…And that cheeky English wine? That was this:
Hambledon Classic Cuvée, Hampshire - Waitrose (£32.50)
Hambledon sits on the chalk slopes of the South Downs in Hampshire, a stone’s throw from where England’s wine story properly began. This was the country’s first commercial vineyard, planted in 1952 by Sir Guy Salisbury-Jones, long before English sparkling wine was fashionable or even particularly welcome at the dinner table. The Classic Cuvée is made by the traditional method, the same laborious, process used in Champagne, from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier grown on deep chalk soils that mirror those across the Channel. Long ageing on the lees gives the wine its quiet complexity and fine, persistent mousse. In the glass, it’s all about green apple, lemon peel and fresh bread, with a subtle creaminess and a cool, chalky finish that speaks clearly of its place. If this wine were a person, it would be the calmly spoken guest at the table who’s been there longest, knows exactly what they’re talking about, and doesn’t feel the need to prove it.
Paired with Smoked salmon with watercress dressing and lumpfish caviar
Make sure you’re subscribed to hear about more events and get recommendations and wine learnies into your inbox!