Sip of the Week: A Portuguese Hug in a Glass – 2023 Touriga Nacional from Alentejano 🇵🇹🍷

There are some wines that simply taste nice. Then there are wines that transport you somewhere. One sip and suddenly you are no longer sitting on a narrowboat moored along the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal with drizzle threatening your washing line. Instead, you are back in Portugal, basking in golden sunshine, listening to church bells echo across sleepy villages and wondering whether another pastel de nata would really be such a terrible idea.

This week’s Sip of the Week did exactly that.

Picked up for under £8 from the excellent M&S Expressions range, this 2023 Touriga Nacional from Portugal’s Alentejano region turned out to be an absolute bargain. We opened it aboard Spirit of Sproglet during one of our recent narrowboat cruises and, from the very first sip, it reminded me why Portugal continues to punch far above its weight when it comes to wine.

And yes… it also sent me spiralling into happy memories of our wonderful three-month stay near Bragança in Northern Portugal. Funny how a humble bottle from a supermarket shelf can suddenly unlock entire chapters of your life. 🍇🚤

Portugal in a Bottle 🇵🇹

If you have followed Vineyards and Villages for a while, you will know that Portugal has stolen a rather large piece of my heart.

From wandering the cobbled streets of ancient villages to discovering rustic cafés where nobody speaks English but everybody insists on feeding you, Portugal has consistently delivered some of our favourite travel memories. Our time near Bragança remains particularly special. Northern Portugal has a slower rhythm to it. Life unfolds gently there.

The vineyards, olive groves, sleepy villages and endless rolling hills create a landscape that seems almost designed for wine lovers and slow travellers.

This Touriga Nacional captured much of that spirit beautifully.

The wine comes from Alentejano, one of Portugal’s best-known wine regions. While the north often grabs attention for Port wine and the dramatic Douro Valley scenery, Alentejo quietly produces some wonderfully approachable reds that offer fantastic value for money.

And this bottle is proof of that.

Imported for the M&S Expressions range and bottled by Consulvinus in Estremoz, it feels like one of those wines that over-delivers spectacularly for the price point.

Frankly, if somebody had poured this blind and told me it cost £14 or £15, I would probably have nodded wisely and pretended I completely agreed. 😄

Touriga Nacional – Portugal’s Rock Star Grape 🎸🍇

Now let us talk about the true hero here: Touriga Nacional.

This grape variety is often described as Portugal’s flagship red grape, and after tasting enough of it over the years, I completely understand why.

Touriga Nacional produces wines with deep colour, rich aromas and impressive structure. It is bold without becoming clumsy. Powerful without turning into a fruit bomb. Elegant without becoming thin or forgettable.

In short, it is the wine equivalent of somebody who can both chop firewood and play the violin.

The grape is famous for aromas of dark berries, violets, plum and spice. Good examples also carry lovely herbal notes and sometimes a floral lift that makes them incredibly distinctive.

This 2023 version showed plenty of juicy blackberry and black cherry flavours, supported by gentle spice and soft tannins. There was also a lovely warmth to the wine without it feeling overly heavy.

Most importantly, it was dangerously drinkable.

You know the type. The bottle that mysteriously empties itself while you insist you are “just having one more small glass.”

Narrowboats and Portuguese Reds 🚤🍷

There is something wonderfully surreal about drinking Portuguese wine on an English canal.

Outside, the ducks were conducting their usual criminal investigations around the towpath. Somewhere nearby, a kettle was boiling. The canal water moved lazily under grey skies while this rich Portuguese red filled the cabin with aromas of sunshine and southern Europe.

It worked brilliantly.

One of the things I love about canal travel is how food and wine become part of the experience. Meals are slower. Evenings stretch longer. You are not rushing anywhere. The wine somehow gets the attention it deserves.

This bottle suited narrowboat life perfectly. Relaxed. Generous. Unpretentious.

Rather like most boaters after their second glass.

A South African Connection 🇿🇦

Touriga Nacional has also made a small but exciting appearance in South Africa over the years.

One particularly memorable example I tasted came from Allesverloren Wine Estate near the lovely village of Riebeek Kasteel in the Swartland region.

Allesverloren has long been associated with Portuguese grape varieties, and their Touriga Nacional showed just how well the grape can adapt outside Portugal itself.

South African versions often bring slightly riper fruit and a bit more power, while Portuguese examples tend to lean into elegance and savoury complexity. Both styles have their charm.

Still, when drinking this M&S bottle aboard Spirit of Sproglet, Portugal itself came rushing back instantly.

That says something.

What Did It Taste Like? 👃🍷

In the glass, the wine showed a deep ruby colour with flashes of purple.

On the nose, there were generous aromas of blackberry, plum and dark cherry, followed by subtle floral notes and a touch of spice. There was also a gentle earthiness that added character.

The palate was smooth and medium to full-bodied, with ripe dark fruit dominating initially before giving way to pepper, herbs and soft oak influences.

The tannins were pleasantly rounded, making this an easy-drinking red despite its structure.

Importantly for a wine under £8, it tasted balanced. Nothing stuck out awkwardly. The alcohol was well integrated and the fruit remained fresh.

It felt authentic.

And authenticity matters.

Food Pairings – What Should You Eat With It? 🍽️

Touriga Nacional is wonderfully food-friendly, especially when paired with hearty dishes.

On the boat, we enjoyed it alongside a rustic chorizo pasta dish, and the pairing worked beautifully. The spice in the sausage complemented the wine’s dark fruit and peppery notes perfectly.

Here are a few other pairing ideas:

Portuguese Chicken 🍗

Piri-piri chicken with smoky spices works brilliantly here. The wine has enough fruit and body to handle heat without overwhelming the dish.

Slow-Cooked Lamb 🥘

A rich lamb stew or roast shoulder would be absolutely superb with this wine. Especially on a chilly canal evening.

Charcuterie and Cheese 🧀

Touriga Nacional shines with cured meats, mature cheddar and manchego-style cheeses. Add olives and crusty bread and you suddenly have dinner sorted.

Braai or Barbecue 🔥

South Africans already know this, but Portuguese reds love smoky grilled meat. Lamb chops, boerewors or beef ribs would all work wonderfully.

Mushroom Dishes 🍄

The earthy undertones of the wine also make it surprisingly good with mushroom risotto or grilled portobello mushrooms.

Why Portugal Continues to Impress 🌍

One of the greatest joys of Portuguese wine is the value.

While other regions chase trends and eye-watering prices, Portugal quietly continues producing characterful wines at sensible prices. There is still a refreshing lack of pretension.

You often get wines made from indigenous grape varieties that taste genuinely different from the endless parade of international Cabernet and Merlot blends.

Touriga Nacional is one of the stars leading that charge.

It is distinctive. Memorable. Full of personality.

Rather like Portugal itself, really.

Final Thoughts from the Towpath 🚶🍷

This 2023 Touriga Nacional from Alentejano turned out to be one of those delightful surprise finds that remind you why wine remains such a pleasure.

For under £8, it delivered warmth, character and a genuine sense of place. It also paired perfectly with slow canal travel and nostalgic memories of Portugal.

Would I buy it again?

Without hesitation.

In fact, next time I see it in M&S, I may accidentally place several bottles into the trolley before anybody can stop me.

Purely for research purposes, obviously. 😄

If you enjoy approachable reds with plenty of flavour, soft tannins and a distinctly Mediterranean soul, this bottle deserves your attention.

Now if you will excuse me, I suddenly feel the urge to book another trip to Portugal… or at the very least open another bottle of Touriga Nacional aboard Spirit of Sproglet. 🚤🇵🇹🍷

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