RedPortugal's Douro Valley might be famous for Port, but its dry red wines – like this remarkable field blend from Boavida – deserve just as much attention. 'Field blend' means multiple grape varieties are planted together in the same vineyard and harvested and fermented together – an old-school approach that creates wines of unique complexity and character. These old vines (some over 80 years old) grow in the Douro's dramatic terraced vineyards, where schist soils and extreme conditions force the vines to dig deep, producing grapes of remarkable concentration and complexity. The name 'Boavida' means 'good life' in Portuguese, and there's certainly something life-affirming about a wine with this much personality and sense of place. It offers the rich fruit and structure you might expect from much more expensive wines from better-known regions, with a distinctive Portuguese accent that makes it stand out from the crowd. Perfect for those looking to explore beyond the usual suspects into one of Europe's most exciting wine regions.
