Tiago Teles Gilda 2023

Tiago Teles came to wine as a writer, travelling and getting to know Portugal's vineyards, before setting up his own natural winery in 2012 in Bairrada, where his family is from. Gilda is his organic, vegan red, blending the local Castelão and Tinta Barroca with Merlot in the DOC Bairrada, in the Beiras. The region sits close to the Atlantic, and that maritime influence brings cool nights, moderate ripening and fresh acidity, giving lighter, higher-acid reds than the Portuguese interior. The soils around Bairrada are largely clay-limestone, which suits the grippy local grapes and adds a mineral line. Farming is organic and the wine is made with minimal intervention, then aged for eleven months in used French oak barrels, chosen so the wood adds structure and a little spice through slow oxygen exchange without imposing new-oak flavour. The result is light and balanced. The colour is a bright, medium ruby. The nose leads with fresh cherry and ripe red berries, plum and a lift of dried herbs and pepper. The palate is fruity and supple, the tannins soft, the acidity bright and Atlantic through a clean finish. Serve lightly cool at 15 degrees. It suits roast poultry, pork and mushroom dishes.