Name: Casa Ermelinda The Society's Portuguese Red
Brand: Casa Ermelinda

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The Society's Portuguese Red 2024 is a member-favourite, exclusive own-label wine made for The Wine Society by Casa Ermelinda Freitas, sourced from the sandy soils of the Península de Setúbal south-east of Lisbon. It blends the indigenous Castelão grape with Alicante Bouschet to create a supple, juicy, easy-drinking red that has consistently won praise for its outstanding quality-to-price ratio. The wine has been featured by Olly Smith on BBC TV's Saturday Kitchen and has a loyal following among Wine Society members.

Casa Ermelinda Freitas

A 5th-generation Portuguese family winery established in 1920, run by successive generations of women and currently led by Leonor Freitas, with operations across Península de Setúbal, Vinhos Verdes, and Douro. Since 1999 the estate has won over 2,000 awards globally, and with annual production of around 25 million litres it ranks among Portugal's biggest producers.

Blend

Castelão (majority) with a proportion of Alicante Bouschet; exact percentages for the 2024 vintage not publicly disclosed

Tasting Profile

Castelão brings juicy red fruits while Alicante Bouschet contributes darker black fruit and fleshiness, resulting in a medium-bodied, highly quaffable red with aromas of cherry and blackberry, well-balanced and unoaked.

Region

The Península de Setúbal lies south of Lisbon, flanked by the Tagus and Sado rivers, with flat sandy soils ideal for the Castelão grape and a Mediterranean climate tempered by Atlantic breezes. It contains two DOCs — Palmela, known for Castelão reds, and Setúbal, famed for fortified Muscat wines.

Price Context

Approximately £8.50–£9.50 per bottle from The Wine Society (UK); widely regarded as exceptional value at this price point

Food Pairings

🥩 Grilled lamb or beef🍕 Pizza and tomato-based pasta🫙 Charcuterie and cured meats🍗 Roast chicken🧀 Mild to medium cheeses

Critic Scores

3.8/5 Vivino Community (2024 vintage)