Vale da Calada Tinto. A Dark, Silky Red from the Heart of Alentejo

Some wines just suit the moment. Vale da Calada Tinto is one of them. It is a generous, smooth Alentejo red that feels at home whether you're choosing a bottle for a quiet evening in or looking for something reliable and characterful to stock.

Where it comes from

Herdade da Calada is a working estate near Évora, in Portugal's sun-drenched Alentejo region. The landscape here is wide and unhurried - vineyards, cork oak, olive groves, and cereal fields stretching out under a big sky. The estate covers 35 hectares of vines, farmed with care and harvested at the point when the fruit is at its most expressive. The winemaking is straightforward in the best sense: protect what the land gives you, and don't get in the way.

What's in the glass

Vale da Calada Tinto (2021) opens with dark cherry and ripe plum, with a quiet background of wild herbs and soft spice. On the palate it's juicy and rounded, with silky tannins and a smooth, balanced finish that doesn't overstay its welcome. It's the kind of red that's easy to enjoy but has enough character to hold your attention.

• Region: Alentejo, Portugal
• Style: Full-bodied, fruit-forward, smooth
• Serve: 16–18°C - a short decant will open it up nicely
• Goes well with: Chargrilled meats, roast chicken, mushroom dishes, aged hard cheeses

A note for trade

This is a wine that works across a range of settings - front-of-store, a Portugal or Iberian section, or a seasonal "comfort reds" feature. Its profile (think Alentejo's take on the plush, dark-fruited style familiar from Rioja or Malbec) makes it easy to talk about and easy to sell. Available as a single varietal or as part of a mixed Alentejo feature alongside Caladessa and Branco options.

You may order it here: Herdade da Calada.

To enquire about stock or place an order, get in touch at sales@seventy9north.co.uk.