Fado Selection Alicante Bouschet 2015

Alicante Bouschet has lived the life of that kid from Into the Wild, just without the upsetting denouement and of course the Into the Wild chap wasn't a grape. For much of its existence, this variety felt out of place and underappreciated; despite being a top quality red grape, it was often used to add colour and intensity to cheap French wines. It travelled to California where, despite being appreciated by the locals, due to prohibition in the 30s, was rarely used in quality wine production. It wasn't until it ended up in Alentejo, Portugal that Alicante felt truly at home.

Here, the grape is often bottled as a single varietal and will regularly show the complexity and intensity demonstrated in the Fado Selection Alicante Bouschet. With succulent dark fruit characters balanced with flavours of dried violets, prunes, chocolate, vanilla and baking spices, it is a fantastic demonstration of the quality this grape can deliver!

Terras de Alter was founded in 2004 as a joint venture between Sociedade Agrícola das Antas and Sociedade Agrícola do Monte Barrão, family firms with centuries of agricultural history in Alto Alentejo, in cooperation with Peter Bright, world renowned oenologist. Highlighting traditional Portuguese varietals sourced primarily from the Antas and Monte Barrão vineyards in Fronteira and Alter do Chão, Peter Bright masterfully coaxes intense flavours of ripe berry and spice from the grapes grown under the Portuguese sun and blends them in the Company’s state of the art winery built in 2008 to create approachable wines.
As one of the world’s most experienced and well recognized wine makers, Peter Bright brings his talents to Terras de Alter as head winemaker and business partner. After studying oenology in his native Australia, Peter went to Portugal in 1981 to hone his craft. By 1993, he was known as one of Australia’s first 'flying winemakers’, travelling first through Europe and then branching out to other continents. Of note, Peter made an enormous impact in South America where he spear-headed the movement to transform the region from a producer of bulk wines into a bottler of premium varieties. After 30 years of living and working in Portugal, it is here where Peter has seen his greatest success. As Peter himself explains, ""I am fascinated by grape varieties, and Portugal is of course, an amazing place for varieties.” At Terras de Alter, Peter continues to highlight the best that Portuguese varietals can offer for people all over the world to enjoy.