# Casal da Coelheira Amphora Alicante Bouschet (2024)

- **Producer:** Quinta do Casal da Coelheira
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Alicante Bouschet
- **Region:** Tejo, Portugal
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.2%
- **Average price:** €16
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** plum, blackberry, blackcurrant, cherry, black pepper

## About this wine

Quinta do Casal da Coelheira is a family-owned estate situated in Tramagal along the southern bank of the Tagus River in Portugal's Tejo wine region. Dating back to 1835, the property takes its name from the wild rabbits native to the surrounding pine forests. Managed by the Rodrigues family, the estate focuses on sustainable viticulture across poor sandy soils, reviving traditional regional winemaking techniques to express local terroir.

## Interesting facts

- Fermented and macerated on skins for four months inside unlined clay amphorae.
- Alicante Bouschet is a rare 'teinturier' grape variety with red skin and red flesh.
- The estate name 'Coelheira' means rabbit warren, inspired by local wildlife.

## Food pairing

The pronounced dark fruit concentration, high alcohol, and clay-softened tannin structure of this full-bodied red require rich, hearty dishes with ample protein and fat. Savory roasted meats and mature hard cheeses balance the wine's intensity while harmonizing with its earthy depth.

## Wine making process

Harvested from sandy vineyard soils along the Tagus River, whole grapes ferment together with skins, seeds, and stems in traditional unlined clay amphorae (talhas). The wine undergoes an extended four-month skin maceration directly in the clay vessels before pressing, aging entirely without oak contact to showcase pure varietal character and natural clay micro-oxygenation.