Style Light red Old World Country Portugal Price $8
Vintage tasted 2007 Grapes Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz
Website www.aveleda.com

Overview This two-time winner is yet more proof that Portugal is among the best countries in the world for wine value. Produced by Aveleda— responsible for quite a few Wine Trials winners in our three editions— this wine is made up of many of the same grape varieties that compose Port. Rather than being sweet, though, this wine is intensely dry and earthy. Why can’t every red at this price point be as tasty and interesting?

Nose Our blind tasters identified manure and sour cherry, which smells better than it sounds.

Mouth There’s tons of acidity—enough to prompt one taster to call it mouthwatering. There’s also a nice spicy note that rounds out the flavors.