WINE OF THE WEEK: Nós Somos Douro 2024, Douro, Portugal

£10, Morrisons

This is one of four Portuguese wines in the new Nós Somos (‘We Are’) regional range from Esporão, one of Portugal’s largest, most impressive producers and one of the world’s biggest organic growers, although this range doesn't claim to be organic.

I can recommend the other three wines, too: a refreshingly dry Vinho Verde and a red and a white Alentejano, all true reflections of their regions and very good value; but the red from the Douro is absolutely cracking at the price (and if you have a store card there’s a multibuy offer until June 14 that brings the price down to £7.50).

Nós Somos Douro 2024 is a vivid purple-crimson, smells of just picked, sun-warmed blackberries and is dry, middling weight and nicely rounded with blackcurrant, redcurrant and damson fruit, mineral freshness and the faintest whisper of oak (just 10 per cent was aged in French oak barrels for six months).

The Douro is port country and this is a blend of classic port grape varieties, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca and Tinta Roriz (known as Tempranillo in Rioja), from vines about 20 years old growing in the Douro’s character-building schist soils.

Red Douros go well with herb-spiked roast and barbecued red meat (including pork), shepherd’s pie, moussaka, empanadas and offal such as lamb’s kidneys and liver. Nós Somos Douro can also be paired with spicy root vegetables and legumes and griddled Mediterranean veg. Try it with ratatouille, too. 13%. Empty bottle weight: 414g.

Nós Somos Douro 2024, Douro, Portugal

£10, Morrisons; 25% off 6 bottles with a store card until June 14, 2026

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