Quinta da Fonte Souto Rosé 2023

While Provence might get all the attention when it comes to premium rosé it is certainly worth looking further afield as well and here in the rural Alentejo region of eastern Portugal we have a rather serious, quality, very delicious example. Quinta da Fonte Souto is situated on the slopes of the São Mamede Range, rather than the hot and arid Alentejo planes, so benefits from cooling breezes and colder nights and therefore crisp fruit flavours with refreshing, balanced acidity. Their rosé is made with Aragonês (aka Tinta Roriz in the rest of Portugal or Tempranillo everywhere else) which is hand-picked before being hand-sorted in the winery followed by a gentle pressing. Fresh aromas of orange blossom, ripe citrus, apricot and pomegranate lead onto a dry, rounded palate with great structure and depth of flavour. Loads of fresh red berry fruit flavours, notes of lychee and white pepper spice all held together with taught, minerally acidity.

Try with salads, meaty fish such as salmon or tuna, roast vegetables, or Asian cuisine.

Symingtons, famous for their top-notch ports and excellent still wines from the Douro, ventured further afield in 2017 to take on Quinta da Fonte Souto, their first estate in the Alentejo. This charming estate is tucked away near Portalegre in the northern, higher part of the region. The slightly cooler temperatures here mean a longer growing season, which brings out wines with more acidity and freshness. This project of Symington's, combining their winemaking know-how with Alentejo's unique climate is leading to quite stand-out wines.