Alicante Bouschet

Portuguese bean stew (often called Feijoada) is a hearty, rustic dish featuring beans, various meats (often pork, chorizo, and sometimes beef), and aromatic vegetables cooked slowly to develop deep, savory flavors. The dish's earthy bean base and savory meat components create a rich umami foundation that pairs beautifully with Portuguese wines that offer good acidity to cut through the richness, while medium-bodied beers with malt-forward profiles complement the stew's hearty nature.

Portuguese sausages like chouriço and linguiça feature smoky, garlicky flavors with paprika and often a hint of heat, demanding beverages that can stand up to these robust characteristics. The fruit-forward yet structured red wines complement the smoky pork flavors, while the malty sweetness and moderate carbonation of the recommended beer styles help cut through the fat while enhancing the savory elements.

Portugal's Alentejo region produces some of the country's most appealing red blends, and Herdade do Rocim's Mariana Red is a perfect introduction to what makes them so special. This thoughtful combination of native Portuguese varieties creates a wine that's both approachable and distinctive. The blend typically features Aragonez (Portugal's name for Tempranillo) providing red fruit and structure, Alicante Bouschet contributing color and power, and Touriga Nacional adding floral complexity and depth. The result is a wine that bridges Old World and New World styles – fruit-forward enough to please those who enjoy California reds but with enough savory character and freshness to satisfy European wine lovers. Herdade do Rocim's sustainable farming practices and careful winemaking ensure that the unique terroir of Alentejo shines through, making this a genuine taste of place at a remarkably fair price.

Quinta de São Sebastião (QSS for short) has been making waves in Portugal's Lisboa region, and their Forte do Cego Tinto showcases why Portuguese wines offer some of the best values in the wine world today. This blend combines the native Touriga Nacional with international varieties Syrah and Alicante Bouschet to create something uniquely Portuguese yet globally appealing. The 'Forte do Cego' name refers to a local landmark near the winery – a small fortress whose name translates rather dramatically to 'Fortress of the Blind Man.' There's nothing blind about the winemaking here though, as this red delivers remarkable complexity and character at its price point. The Lisboa region benefits from Atlantic influences that keep the wines fresh and balanced despite the warm Portuguese sun. The result is a red that offers generous fruit without heaviness – perfect for the table and versatile enough to pair with a wide range of foods.