portuguese blends

Like port itself, most traditional Portuguese reds are a blend of different local grapes— a creative opportunity for the winemaker.

VILA REGIA RESERVA DOURO LCBO 613950, $12.10

Grapes have no problem ripening on the sun-parched slopes of the Douro valley and you can taste the intensity of the summer sun in this lush, voluptuous wine. The rich flavour profile is all cherry, red plum and blackcurrant with a touch of dark chocolate and oaky spice. There are no rough edges on this crowd-pleaser—it’s a great wine to choose if you’re throwing a big party.

PORTA 6, VR LISBOA LCBO 427377, $12.95

Made from Tinta Roriz and Castelão with a shot of Touriga Nacional, this red offers a greeting of ripe red fruit and blackcurrant followed by floral and nutty notes. Tannins are deeply embedded and though the initial impression is a little sweet, the wine has enough acidity to make it useful at dinnertime. Smoothly balanced, it shows attractive complexity for the price.

SILK & SPICE LCBO 533307, $12.95

A blend of four grapes (including 20 percent Syrah) from several regions, this smoothy is named for Renaissance Portuguese merchant sailors and their East Indies trade routes. There’s spice in the wine (a hint of oaky vanilla) and a silky texture with very soft tannins but really nothing to interfere with its dominant character trait—a big whack of poached black cherry fruit.