Herdade de Gâmbia Red 2013 Península de Setúbal, Portugal 75cl

Herdade de Gâmbia is a long-held family estate in southern Portugal, farming the same land since the early twentieth century within the protected Sado Estuary nature reserve. Vines grow among cork oaks, pines and grazing animals in a traditional agro-forestry landscape, and the wines are made by Nuno Cancela de Abreu. The label’s mosaic crane nods to the wildlife of the reserve.

The estate lies on the Setúbal Peninsula, south of Lisbon, a warm region cooled by the Atlantic and the wide Sado estuary. It is classic country for ripe, characterful Portuguese reds, and this wine is made in a straightforward, welcoming style rather than as a heavyweight.

2013 was a warm, dry summer across much of southern Portugal, a year that ripened red grapes fully and gave generous, fruit-forward wines. At 14% alcohol, this red carries that ripeness comfortably.

Expect a warm, medium to full-bodied red with ripe dark fruit, gentle spice and soft, food-friendly tannins leading to a savoury finish. A short time open before serving will help it show at its best.

An unpretentious, everyday Portuguese red for the dinner table. It is at home with grilled and roast meats, sausages, tomato-rich stews and mature hard cheese, the sort of wine to open midweek without a second thought.