Wine of the week: vinous epiphanies from Portugal
These magnificent wines are a tenth of the price of Barca-Velha, but they lack nothing in passion, build-quality, epic skill and deliciousness.


2017 Quinta da Leda, Casa Ferreirinha, Douro, Portugal
£59.10, hedonism.co.uk; £49, vintagewineandport.co.uk
I enjoyed an epiphanic tasting the other day at the brilliant Corrigan’s Mayfair. The restaurant formed a perfect backdrop for a simply spectacular line-up of Casa Ferreirinha wines. The Vinha Grande white, rosé and red from this historic Portuguese estate are three of the country’s most highly specced wines.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
The focus of the tasting was the 2011 Barca-Velha (£545, hedonism.co.uk), Ferreirinha’s iconic red. I tasted the 1982, 1991, 1999 and the new 2011, and every wine was revelatory. The 2011 is the finest young Portuguese red wine I have ever tasted and awarded it a score of 19.5+/20 in my notes – this is a first for a Portuguese red. I have written up my full tasting notes and published them on my website.
But today my focus is on Quinta da Leda, Ferreirinha’s most famous vineyard and its eponymous single-plot wine. While Barca-Velha is a late-released, multi-site blend, Quinta da Leda is a very different beast, and I tasted the 2007, 2016, 2017 and 2018. I must insist that you buy the 2017 now. Do your research, drink another bottle, read more and drink another one. Then try the 2018, which will gain retail listings shortly. Then search for the 2016 – it must be out there. These are all magnificent wines, and while they are a tenth of the price of Barca-Velha, they lack nothing in passion, build-quality, epic skill and deliciousness. I can guarantee you your own vinous epiphanies if you follow my instructions this week!
Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year (MatthewJukes.com)
Matthew Jukes has worked in the UK wine business for well over three decades and during this time has written 14 wine books.
Matthew regularly lectures, judges, speaks at wine conferences and runs masterclass tastings for both corporate and private clients all over the world. Matthew is also the creator of his ground-breaking initiative, the One Day Wine School, an indulgent day of tasting and learning first performed in 2006.
He has been the MoneyWeek wine correspondent since 2006 and has written a weekly column for the Daily Mail’s Weekend Magazine since 1999. His four highly-acclaimed, annual wine reports – the Burgundy En Primeur Report, the Bordeaux En Primeur Report, the Piemonte Report and the 100 Best Australian Wines – are published on his website, www.matthewjukes.com.
Matthew is one of the world’s leading experts on Australian wine and, with Brisbane-based wine writer Tyson Stelzer, runs an annual competition in Australia to find ‘The Great Australian Red’. He was made Honorary Australian of the Year in the UK at the 2012 Australia Day Foundation Gala dinner.
Matthew is a winner of the International Wine and Spirit Competition's Communicator of the Year Trophy. His thoughts, recommendations and tastings notes are followed very closely by the wine world at large.
-
Trust in US TIPS to beat inflation
In an inflationary market TIPS, the US Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are most compelling says Cris Sholto Heaton.
By Cris Sholto Heaton Published
-
The jury's out on the AI summit at Bletchley Park
World governments gathered for an AI summit at Bletchley Park in November, but were they too focused on threats at the expense of economic benefits?
By Simon Wilson Published
-
Calilo – sustainable luxury on a Greek island: MoneyWeek Travel
MoneyWeek Travel Rupert Hargreaves visits Calilo, a resort on the Greek island of Ios, where sustainability and luxury live in harmony
By Rupert Hargreaves Published
-
England’s sparkling wine industry has potential for early investors
Global warming has changed the game for England’s sparkling wine industry – even growers in Champagne are planting in England. Brave investors might like to join the party early.
By Simon Wilson Last updated
-
Hotel Indigo Durham review: a delightful stay in Durham – MoneyWeek travel
MoneyWeek Travel During a stay at the Hotel Indigo Durham sees Matthew Partridge revisit his old student stomping grounds.
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published
-
The Brando, a Polynesian paradise – MoneyWeek travel
MoneyWeek Travel Sustainability meets the last word in luxury on Marlon Brando's island in French Polynesia, says Chris Carter
By Chris Carter Last updated
-
The 10 cheapest countries to travel to
Features Looking to get away but want to keep costs low? Check out these 10 holiday destinations which remain cheap despite rising inflation.
By Nicole García Mérida Published
-
A South African adventure
Reviews From buzzy Johannesburg to big game drives, South Africa has it all, says Katie Monk
By Katie Monk Published
-
Villa Gaia Rock: perfect harmony in Corfu
Reviews Blend in with your surroundings at the new Villa Gaia Rock in Corfu.
By Chris Carter Published
-
Indulge your wild side with a safari in deepest Kent
Reviews Get up close to the animals at Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, says Matthew Partridge
By Dr Matthew Partridge Published