Portugal has without doubt some of the best value wines in the world. If you had to choose a country offering excellent value for money, then the European mainland's most westerly wine-producing nation should be high up, if not top of your list … and one of Portugal's most successful wine brands around the world is Porta 6.
Porta 6 is a range of white, red and rosé wines produced by Vidigal Wines. Majestic was the first major retailer to stock the brand in the UK and success quickly followed. Sales exploded in the summer of 2015, after celebrity chef James Martin said that Porta 6 red was one of the nicest reds he had tasted in ten years of BBC Saturday Kitchen. The subsequent scramble to buy it broke the Majestic website!
The unique bottle label features street artist Hauke Vagt's iconic painting of one of Lisbon's yellow trams. Originally from Germany, Vagt settled in Lisbon in the early 1990s when he fell in love with the city and its relaxed lifestyle. He sold his paintings to tourists outside the Castle of St. George, probably never imagining this particular image would find itself on wine shelves in almost every corner of the world!
Image credit: Richard Budd
According to Nielsen data (52 weeks ending 22 October 2022), Porta 6 Red has a current value of £15.4m. This represents over half of the Portuguese red wine category value. Nielsen data also shows that Porta 6 is the second highest value brand within the European red wine category in France, Portugal and Spain.
Guy Anderson Wines is the exclusive UK importers of Porta 6. Founded in 1994 by Guy and Louise Anderson, the company specialises in European wines from outstanding suppliers in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal, and is still 100% family-owned. The business is split evenly between UK off-trade and export markets.
Portuguese wines in general is seeing a resurgence in the UK. Philip Critchley of Guy Anderson Wines explains further: "Portuguese wine is increasingly important for UK consumers, despite its relatively small share of the market (circa 2.1%). In the multiple grocers alone, the last 24 months have seen a 59% increase in the value of wine sales from Portugal, showing that the distinctive, rich tapestry of indigenous grapes is becoming ever more apparent and appreciated. Wines on UK shelves are no longer dominated by off-dry, inexpensive rosés or by port. There are a huge variety of wines made in all styles. Not all Portuguese wines are inexpensive, but they are terrific value and, as a result, more space has been made and continues to be allocated to the country in supermarket ranges."
So what are some of these unique styles, according to Critchley?
"The offerings of white wine include Portugal's own answer to Albariño - Alvarinho, refreshing and fizzy Vinho Verde, elegant wines from the rolling hills of Lisboa and richer styles from the Douro and Dão."
"On the red side", continues Critchley, "there are perhaps even more choices. Homegrown varieties, such as Tinto Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Castelão and Touriga Franca, are the main constituents in elegant wines from the high-altitude Dão. Portugal also makes robust and complex wines from the Douro, rich and full wines in Alentejo and well-balanced, expressive wines influenced by the maritime climate of the Atlantic Coast in the Lisboa region."
Porta 6 wines come from the Lisboa and Vinho Verde wine regions. While great for drinking on their own, they make excellent food pairings too. This was superbly demonstrated during a recent dinner at the superb Casa do Frango in central London, matching each wine with different Portuguese dishes:-
Image credit: Richard Budd
Region: Lisboa.
Grape Varieties: 70% Arinto, 25% Fernão Pires and 5% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Fresh, fruity, lively and fun Charmat-style sparkler with notes of tropical fruit, citrus and green apple.
Food Pairings: Appetisers, seafood, light fish and pasta dishes.
ABV: 12%.
Region: Lisboa.
Grape Varieties: 25% Arinto, 25% Viosinho, 25% Viognier and 25% Chardonnay.
Tasting Notes: Medium-bodied, fresh and rounded with juicy tropical fruit and citrus notes, a touch of herbs and pear plus refreshing acidity and a mineral edge.
Food Pairings: Grilled fish, shellfish, pasta and white meat.
Stockists: Sainsbury's and Tesco.
RRP: £7.50.
ABV: 12.5%.
Region: Vinho Verde DOC.
Grape Varieties: 35% Loureiro, 35% Trajadura and 30% Arinto.
Tasting Notes: Light, aromatic and off-dry with notes of tropical fruit, green apple, citrus and a gentle spritz.
Food Pairings: Best for light meals, this wine goes particularly well with piri-piri garlic prawns, salads and sushi.
Stockists: Majestic.
RRP: £8.99.
ABV: 9.5%.
Image credit: Richard Budd
Region: Vinho Verde DOC.
Grape Varieties: 60% Espadeiro and 40% Touriga Nacional.
Tasting Notes: Attractive pale salmon pink in colour, this aromatic wine shows notes of strawberry and redcurrant with citrus and floral touches.
Food Pairings: A good match for grilled chorizo, as well as grilled fish, seafood, pasta, white meat and salads.
Stockists: Sainsbury's.
RRP: £7.50.
ABV: 10.5%.
Image credit: Richard Budd
Region: Lisboa.
Grape Varieties: 50% Tinta Roriz, 40% Castelão and 10% Touriga Nacional.
Tasting Notes: Soft, fresh, fruity and very approachable with notes of juicy red and black berries, plum, a hint of herbs and sweet spice.
Food Pairings: Versatile with many meat dishes, particularly grilled lamb or beef and vegetarian choices, such as vegetable feijoada (white bean stew), pizza and mature cheeses.
Stockists: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Co-op, Waitrose, Morrisons and Majestic.
RRP: From £7.50 to £8.99 for a 75cl bottle.
ABV: 13.5%.
Porta 6 Red Wine is also available as Bag in Box (2.25L) from Sainsbury's and Tesco - RRP £19.
Image credit: Richard Budd
Region: Lisboa.
Grape Varieties: 40% Syrah, 20% Alicante Bouschet, 20% Cabernet and 20% Touriga Nacional.
Tasting Notes: Aromatic and concentrated with a core of ripe, juicy berries, a touch of cassis plus chocolate and spicy black pepper notes that linger on the finish.
Food Pairings: Great with red meat roasts and BBQs, venison with redcurrant jelly, spaghetti Bolognese and mature cheeses.
Stockists: Majestic.
RRP: £11.99 or £9.99 for six.
ABV: 14%.
Image credit: Richard Budd
Region: Lisboa.
Grape Varieties: 100% Touriga Nacional.
Tasting Notes: A new release, bursting with juicy berry and plum notes with a touch of coffee and spice plus smooth tannins.
Food Pairings: Another good match for meat and rich vegetarian or pasta dishes, this matches well with spicy food, including piri-piri chicken.
ABV: 14%.
Matching delicious Casa do Frango Portuguese food to Porta 6 wines - image credit: Richard Budd
It might be chilly outside, but you can still enjoy a warming taste of sunny Portugal at home, while you plan your next visit to the home of the yellow tram. Saúde!
