Porta 6: the wine that broke the internet
The Porta 6 story
When Porta 6 red launched in the UK it was exclusive to Majestic Wine. The wine subsequently appeared on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen with James Martin singing its praises: it broke the website. Porta 6 has helped boost the British love for inexpensive yet extremely drinkable, and good quality, Portuguese wines in particular. A revolutionary wine to explode into the market. As testament to its success, now plenty of knock off versions exist with very similar labels depicting the bustling, hubbub of Lisbon life and its famous trams.
Are the wines worth the internet-crashing fuss?
Depends who you are, but perhaps the ridiculously high reviews all over the place might be an answer. They have 6 wines to their name, with a recently released sparkling to add a celebratory option to the range.
Porta 6 Lisboa
Porta 6 is a regional Lisboa wine, made of a blend of indigenous grapes (Aragonês, Castelão and Touriga Nacional) from all over the Lisboa region. This freedom to pick from different plots means they can be more precise with their grape choice and pick the best grapes for the style. The resulting wine is deliciously fruity and jammy, boasting ripe berried fruit and cherries. It’s even a little chocolatey on the finish. Lip smacking!
Porta 6 Reserva
The Reserva mixes Portuguese and French grapes (Syrah, Alicante Bouschet, Cabernet and Touriga Nacional). The addition of Syrah and Cab lift with the Touriga Nacional to create a richer, heftier wine, whilst the Alicant Bouschet keeps the acidity nicely balanced to give a refreshing poise. The fruit is darker in nature, more blackberry and plum and chocolate is far more distinct. The palate has a subtle grip from the fine tannin and pairs brilliantly with lamb and steak.
Porta 6 Vinho Verde
In typical Portuguese fashion, Porta 6 had to have a Vinho Verde. Sometimes a refreshing white is all you need whilst sitting under the Mediterranean sun. Expect zippy lemon and lime, apple, pineapple, pear and a floral undertone. A fashionable Vinho Verde spritz helps the finish light up at the end.
Porta 6 White
This is a typical easy-drinking white. Fresh fruit and crisp citrus abound, followed up by peach, apricot and some warmer tropical notes. The addition of Chardonnay and Viognier helps shore up the body and give it a bit more oomph.
Porta 6 Rosé
A lovely dry rose worth every penny for glugability. Think light summer berries like strawberry and raspberry, with a dashing of lemon and peach.
Porta 6 Sparkling
Made in the same way as Prosecco, Porta 6 have created the perfect appetizer. If you want to try something different from Prosecco, but not wildly, this might be a good answer. It has peach, lemon and green apple flavours coming to the fore, mixed with tropical peach and plum. Refreshing acidity brings home the finish.
This blog was written by our wine expert, David Andrews. Read his Instagram blog @oinosattheoikos
Updated 22nd September 2023