Casa Ferreirinha is widely recognised as one of the greatest Douro wine producers. It was not so long ago that their flagship Barca Velha wine stood head and shoulders above pretty much any red wine produced in Portugal, carrying an almost mythical status. Today this is arguable; there are, after all, many great wine producers in the Douro these days, but the name Casa Ferreirinha on any bottle of wine is a guarantee of quality, from the excellent entry level red Esteva costing no more than a few euros up to great Barca Velhas, produced only in exceptional years (the last one to be released was the 2004) which will set you back close to €400 a bottle.
Callabriga sits around mid way within the range of Ferreirinha wines, usually priced at around €20 but currently on special offer at Apolónia at €14.99 until February 3.
The wine is made predominantly from the Touriga Franca grape, blended with a little Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz.
Touriga Franca, one of the main varieties used in Port wine production, is known to produce lighter and more perfumed wines than its cousin Touriga Nacional.
The result here is a wine of elegant structure, medium to full-bodied with intense dark fruit on the nose and well integrated oak. As for food pairing, this is a very versatile wine, equally well suited to roast fish dishes or red meats.
By PATRICK STUART [email protected]
