Pardusco 2022

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 Now that the summer seems to have finally arrived in Hamburg and the temperatures are getting close to 30 degrees celsius most people around here rush to get their grills out and enjoy the nice weather.

Even though it is an activity mainly accompanied by beer, there has been a growing demand for wines which can both pair the traditional grilled sausages and the warmer temperatures.

This may seem particularly complicated, but there are a couple of red wines that are made to drink slightly cooled if not cold. 

Governo Toscano or wines which have been submitted to carbonic maceration set themselves in the front line. Still, the wine that I want to write about does not fit in any of the categories above.

One of the biggest surprises I have found when I have started working at the shop I am managing was this red Vinho Verde . I have to be honest and confess that the part of the country I come from, I have seen people drinking cooled red wines during summer but nothing that compares to the level of this grape.

Seen as obscure for many years is now reliving a new life through a change in the general drinking patterns. Very light in colour and with low alcohol level (only 12%), it reveals dominant raspberry flavours with well integrated acidity which makes it perfect to drink cold as it makes it a perfect pairing for some light meat dishes. 

In fact, this is a wine that I am curious to serve blind to some close friends and see whether they guess that it is red. 

Whether for a grill evening or even to watch a football game ( I do am seriously thinking whether it will the wine I will drink later on for Portugal's match against Georgia later on), I am sure you won't regret having a go at it.


16/20
Country: Portugal 
Region: Vinho Verde
Grapes: Alvarelhao, Vinhao, Cainho, Borracal, Pedral
12%
Winemaker: Anselmo Mendes

Website: https://www.anselmomendes.pt/pt/vinho/vinhos-verdes/31

Location: Hamburg, Germany

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