Pink Elephant Rosé

IRISH wine consumers like familiarity and consistency in their wines and it is largely for this reason that over 50% of the wine we drink is from Australia or Chile and almost all of that is from grapes such as Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc.

This week I want to encourage you to try wines from Portugal. Only 7% of Portuguese wines are made from international grape varieties which means you have some new words to learn but don’t be discouraged. You will not regret trying any of the wines I mention. Indeed virtually all the Portuguese wines on the Irish market offer value for money and more importantly exciting and often exotic flavours worth exploring.

Wines from the Douro in the north are relatively easy to find but I would also urge you to explore further south around Lisbon and the Alentejo, the two new kids on the block with many new wineries.