Event Description
Alentejo is a perfect holiday destination, but it used to be considered too hot for making good wine. Occasionally reaching uncomfortable temperatures over 40°C, the region basks in 3000 hours of sunshine a year.
Something has definitely changed. In the 1980s Alentejo made just 4% of Portugal's quality wines, but today it is a big hitter responsible for 40% of Portugal's fine wine output.
Joining the EU in 1986 was a catalyst for change: this introduced grants for modernisation that small producers used to equip their wineries and go learn from winemakers in similarly hot climates (in countries like Australia).
And they took the opportunity to establish new vineyards. Without much of a traditional industry standing in their way, young producers explored the potential of international grapes as well as traditional grapes in their blends.
The rolling plains and mountains of Alentejo now allow savvy producers to use elevation and exposure to temper the hot weather and make quality wines from relatively cool sites.
Join us we try two wines from the Evora sub-zone and a chocolatey red blend from the oldest producer of table wines in Portugal.
HOW IT WORKS
You buy the wines separately and need only consume a tasting sample of each wine during the tutorial. You can follow our preservation tips to keep any leftovers for another day.
James Thorne has put together a 3-bottle pack at an exclusive 15% discount.
The price here on this website is for TWO connecting with one video feed. To book just ONE space, please use the promotional code 'Online1' at checkout, reducing the price by £8. (For three or more people using one video feed there is no additional charge beyond the price for two).
After you book your spaces, we'll send a link for ordering the wines. We will also send instructions for joining Zoom calls from a desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone. Zoom is proving to be a very sociable medium for wine tasting, so we can guarantee you'll have fun! Each session will last just over an hour.
Note - the best value way to access our online tastings is by joining our monthly subscription club (20% discount). This gives you access to our weekly classes and if you need to skip sessions we give you credits (use these to pay for other events, give free spaces to friends or arrange a private party we'll host for you). Plus you get free access to our WineBrain tutorials included!
Click here to read more about our Wednesday Wine Club membership programme (just £50/month for one, £80/month for two).
The Wines (in serving order):
- Jose Maria da Fonseca, Montado Tinto 2017 Alentejo £9.99
- Cartuxa, Foral de Évora Branco 2019 Alentejo £18.99
- Cartuxa, Foral de Évora Tinto 2018 Alentejo £18.99
The special pack price is £40.77 (the normal price is £47.97 - 15% off). You only need to buy one pack to share between two people. Delivery is free in the Cambridge area (inside A14, A11, M11, Girton, Histon, Milton and Impington).
NOTE - cut off for national wine deliveries is Mon 4 Oct.