Deep ruby color; plum, blackberry, cherry, blueberry, cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, chocolate, licorice, spices on the nose and palate.
Dry, with sensation of some sweetness from grape ripeness; medium tannins; good acidity (3.5 pH). Rich, full body. Smooth, silky, delicious. Blend of 40% touriga nacional, 30% alicante, 30% baga. The three varieties were harvested and vinified separately. Alcoholic fermentation and aging in stainless steel tanks; no oak. 13.5% ABV
Impressive, remarkable complexity and range of flavors for a wine at this price point. The Silk & Spice tech sheet sums it well: “The ‘Spice Route’ was created by Portuguese explorers in 1498 and allowed the world to enjoy flavours such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and pepper. Some of these spices and aromas come to life in this red wine, whose exceptional, deep flavours are born from the indigenous grapes and unique terroir of Portugal.”
Launched in 2016, Silk & Spice is produced by Sogrape, Portugal’s leading wine company. The company sells in more than 120 markets and has more than 30 brands, 19 wineries, 25 estates, harvests from 12 wine-growing regions growing 77 different varieties. For Silk & Spice, the company buys grapes from all of Portugal’s main wine regions. Diogo Sepúlveda is the winemaker. He has more than 15 years of experience in an international career. Today, he is in charge of winemaking management for Mateus, Vinho Verde, Dão, and Lisbon.
Sogrape started in 1940 when Fernando van Zeller Guedes and 15 friends founded “Sociedade Comercial dos Vinhos de Mesa de Portugal.” They quickly achieved international success with Mateus, a medium-sweet, slightly sparkling (frizzante) rosé launched in 1942. Known by its flask-shaped bottle, by the 1950s and 1960s, Mateus accounted for 40% of Portugal’s total export of table wine, selling 3.25 million cases a year. The wine has evolved slightly and added variations, but remains a huge international seller for Sogrape. Today, the winery owns properties in Spain, Argentina, Chile, and New Zealand in addition to it Portuguese holdings.
Sogrape Vinhos Silk & Spice Red Blend 2022 is outstanding, delicious red blend from Portugal’s leading wine maker. Clean, smooth, pleasuring blend of darker fruits. Excellent balance between tannin and acidity. Silky mouthfeel. Easy drinker. Can be enjoyed on its own. Pair with grilled meats—beef, lamb, pork; comfort food—meat loaf, beef stew, chicken-fried steak, burgers and sliders, mac and cheese; tomato-based fare—lasagne, pizza; spicy dishes—chorizo, dishes with paprika and pepper. Cheese—manchego, salty Portuguese sheep’s milk cheeses; aged cheddar, brie. $12-14
