This week I wanted to review a delicious red wine I tried last weekend that’s all the way from Portugal. I haven’t been there myself, but I’ve always wanted to go there as well as Spain! One day I will get there. But whilst I dream about travel here in Australia, I decided to take my wine cellar on a trip by grabbing a great deal on a Virgin Wines mixed case from Portugal, France and Italy.

My partner and I are not strangers to ordering wine from companies like Naked Wines and Virgin Wines. I like it because you can often get good deals in their sales, particularly with Virgin Wines, and their selection is excellent. It is such an easy way to have wine on hand when friends pop over, or when you need a wine during the week and don’t want to open up a special bottle. It actually works out so much cheaper than popping out to the bottle store every time you need a bottle, and you get better wine for it!

I joined Virgin Wines because I’m a pretty bolted on Virgin Velocity member, and they were had a great introductory offer. But since then I’ve purchased a second mixed dozen because there was a great sale, and I couldn’t say no to wines from France, Italy and Portugal! I find there is often a strong Australia presence in wines from these companies usually, and as much as I love Australian wine, I am a sucker for the wines of Italy and Spain, so I figured I should give them a go!

A real Game of Thrones label

Well out of the dozen we polished off the beautiful sparkling and prosecco, and a couple of the reds (I’m writing this getting sad because they are gone already), but I wanted to review this one because it really stood out. It was the Lobo e Falcao 2016 which is a wine from the middle of Portugal. Apparently the winery used to be the king’s falconry and so that’s where it gets the name!

The first thing you’ll notice about this wine is the label. It is a striking red with black writing and a logo with a wolf and falcon. This makes the wine seem all the more epic when you’re opening it. I was intrigued the moment I saw it, which goes to show how much I’m influenced by the wine labels. I know I shouldn’t be, but I feel like it hasn’t let me down too many times.

What I loved about it

This wine is so dark in its colour, you would assume it would be heavy in flavour. Something about the label makes me think Game of Thrones so I felt like I should be drinking it out of a big cup. But when you drink it, it was much fruitier than rich. I was really surprised by how light and fruity it is given the colour. This meant that it went perfectly with pasta. That being said, it has an oaky flavour too which gave it lingering flavour.

What to enjoy it with

This wine was a great one to bring out as a great all round drinking wine. It also went perfectly with a pasta night we held on the weekend. It would hold its own with any meat dish, which I think is what I loved so much about it!

Final verdict

Honestly I couldn’t fault this wine, and it’s no wonder that it won the Portugal Wine of the Year, I completely agreed. I can’t wait to try some of the other wines in this delicious bundle. My taste buds are being taking on a trip!