August 2016 - Oakley Wines, Portugal

This month we had Nick Oakley of Oakley Wine Agencies (www.oakleywineagencies.co.ok) who is sometimes known as “Mr Portugal” in the trade. OK so he is my brother, and I'm biased, but it was still a great evening.

Nick brought along a selection of wines, all easily available to the general public.

We had 40 – 42 people along, pretty much a full house, so the noise grew throughout the evening

He brought along:

• Morrison’s Signature Douro white. 12.5% £8.00 - Pretty decent.
• Cazas Novas Vinho Verde (Avesso) – The Wine Society. 12.5% £7.45. Also pretty decent
• Xastra Godello, Bierzo, Spain – Adnams & The Merchants Vintners group. 13.5%. £9.50. Didn't like it. Rather acid for me.
• Casal de Ventozela Alvarinho, Minho, Portugal – Majestic. 13% £8.99. Good. 
   
• Xastra Mencia, Bierzo, Spain – Adnams & The Merchants Vintners group. 13.5% £9.50
• Asda Extra Special Dão 13%. £5.50. A real steal. Very good at this price
• Ramos Reserva, Alentejo (Majestic) 14%. £6.99. Also a real steal. Very good at this price
• Morrison’s Signature Douro red. 13.5% £8. Decent enough.

For me, the best VFM were:

White - Cazas Novas Vinho Verde

Red - Asda Extra Special Dão AND Ramos Reserva, Alentejo (Majestic)

The Ramos is a lot better than the Dao, I have drunk a lot of it (have to keep the family in business!) and I would recommend it to anyone.