National Red Wine Day is celebrated on August 28th every year – this year, it happens to fall on a Monday. For 2023 we wanted to pick something unique with a story behind it, and we quickly landed on Casa Ferreirinha Papa Figos.
If you like bold Napa Valley or French wines, then you should discover Casa Ferreirinha, the pioneering still wine from the Douro Valley in Portugal. Casa Ferreirinha was the first still red wine to be made in the Douro Valley and since its inception has been crafted with winemaking expertise, legacy and an homage to native Portuguese grapes to deliver a high quality and rich taste that rival wines from more common regions.
Casa Ferreirinha is named after Dona Antónia, lovingly nicknamed Ferreirinha (little Ferreira), one of the most iconic historic personalities in Portugal known for her devotion and care for the community. One of the rarest birds in the Douro, when the Papa Figos (oriole) arrive in the vineyard it indicates that the grapes have reached ideal ripeness.
For an under $20 range, discover Papa Figos Red 2021 (SRP $13.99) or Papa Figos White 2021 (SRP $13.99) for everyday drinking. Or, consider Callabriga ($34.99) for a slight splurge that has the power to sip against wines from Napa or France.
Papa Figos Red has complex notes of black and red fruit combined with a resin balsamic aroma, cocoa and chocolate. It has a good body with slight bitters, well-integrated acidity and a long, quite elegant finish. Papa Figos Red is most ideal with meat dishes but is versatile enough to also pair with white meat and roasted fish.
Papa Figos White is intense and complex with notes of white fruits, slightly floral and hints of citrus. Very fresh on the palate with well-balanced acidity and a long, elegant finish. A great food wine that pairs well with fish dishes, seafood, white meats, pasta dishes, and salads.
Finally, Callabriga is a deep ruby color with an aroma of good intensity. With notes of black fruits, such as prunes and sour cherries, as well as cocoa and chocolate courtesy of a good maturation. Balsamic aromas of resin and menthol are also prominent, alongside a well-integrated wood element that bestows great complexity. This wine pairs well with meat dishes and is also the ideal accompaniment to game or slightly fatty roasted fish.
