How to choose wine as a gift: an Alentejo guide

Choosing wine as a gift starts with the recipient’s tastes. Do they prefer white or red? Do they enjoy trying different grape varieties or returning to a label they already know?

The occasion and budget can help narrow down the choice. At Herdade do Estacal, you’ll find suggestions for Christmas, a birthday or dinner with friends.

The choice from Herdade do Estacal

Our picks are Pêra-Manca White and Red and Vidigueira Antão Vaz. Choose according to the recipient’s preference.

Pêra-Manca White 2023

Pêra-Manca White 2023 combines Arinto and Antão Vaz, with part of the blend fermented in French oak barrels.

Our suggestion as a gift for anyone who appreciates white wines and wants to discover this label from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation.

Pêra-Manca Red 2019

For those who prefer red, our choice is Pêra-Manca Red 2019, made with Aragonez and Trincadeira grapes and aged for eighteen months in French oak vats.

We recommend it for marking a special occasion.

Vidigueira Antão Vaz DOC

Vidigueira Antão Vaz DOC is our choice for anyone looking for a fresh, full-bodied white, with tropical aromas and mineral notes.

A suggestion to take to a dinner or give to someone who appreciates the Antão Vaz grape variety.

We also recommend amphora wines

For anyone who enjoys discovering other ways of making wine, we recommend the amphora wines from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation and the Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito Cooperative Winery.

Amphora from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation

Our suggestions are Cartuxa White Amphora Wine 2019 and Cartuxa Organic Red Amphora Wine 2023.

Choose according to their preference for white or red.

Amphora from the Vidigueira Winery

We recommend Vidigueira White Amphora Wine DOC, made with traditional white grape varieties, including Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Manteúdo, Diagalves, Larião and Perrum.

A common thread running through these recommendations is winemaking in clay amphorae.

EA: choose by colour and grape variety

The EA range from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation lets you choose by colour, grape variety or a label the recipient already knows.

White, red or rosé

Start with EA White 2025, EA Red 2022 and EA Rosé 2024.

You can give a bottle in their preferred color or pair a white and a red to enjoy on different occasions.

EA Reserva

If the recipient already enjoys EA and wants to discover other wines in the range, consider EA White Reserva 2023 and EA Red Reserva 2023.

In EA Red Reserva, part of the blend is aged in wood for six months.

EA single-varietal wines

For those who enjoy discovering the differences between varietals, we recommend the EA single-varietal wines.

EA Syrah 2024 offers notes of black fruit and a hint of chocolate. The EA Alicante Bouschet 2024 stands out for its forest fruits and vegetal and floral notes.

EA Aragonez 2024 has notes of red fruit and mint, with noticeable tannins. EA Trincadeira 2024 offers red fruit, a hint of pepper and earthy notes.

EA Organic

Also discover EA Organic White 2021 and EA Organic Red 2020, ideal for those looking for wines from this range.

Other wines from the Eugénio de Almeida Foundation

Cartuxa

Explore Cartuxa White, Cartuxa Red, Cartuxa Rosé and Cartuxa Red Reserva.

Foral de Évora and Monte de Pinheiros

With Foral de Évora, choose between White and Red.

The Monte de Pinheiros range includes White, Red and Rosé.

Scala Coeli

To give a specific varietal, discover Scala Coeli White Encruzado 2023, Red Syrah 2022 and Red Reserva Sousão 2020.

Syrah offers ripe fruit, barrel notes and spices, with a powerful, structured palate. We recommend it to anyone who enjoys this style of red wine.

Vidigueira: from white to red wines

Saudade and Escolha dos Sócios

Alongside Antão Vaz and talha wine, explore Saudade Branco, Saudade Tinto and Rosé.

In the Escolha dos Sócios range, you'll find Branco, Tinto and Antão Vaz.

Reserva, Superior and Grande Escolha

Discover Reserva Branco and Tinto.

In the Superior range, you'll find Branco and Tinto; in Grande Escolha, Branco and Tinto.

Also explore Vidigueira 65 Anos Branco.

Single-varietal red wines

Options include Vidigueira Syrah, Touriga Nacional and Alicante Bouschet.

Also discover Vidigueira Trincadeira and VDG Petit Verdot.

Cuba Terra com Alma, Baronia de Alvito and Vila dos Gamas

Explore Cuba Terra com Alma Branco and Tinto.

At Baronia de Alvito, you'll find Branco and Tinto.

At Vila dos Gamas, you can choose from Branco, Tinto and Antão Vaz.

For sharing with more guests

Discover VDG Branco and Tinto.

Navegante wines come in 750 ml bottles, White and Red, and 1-litre bottles, White and Red.

Bons Sinais comes in bag-in-box format, White and Red. These formats are suited to a different use than an individual gift bottle.

Figueirinha: more suggestions to discover

Figueirinha, Amnésia and Intuição

Discover Figueirinha and Herdade da Figueirinha Reserva.

Explore the 2024 white and 2021 red Amnésia wines. For Intuição, discover the 2024 white and 2020 red.

Cantando and Nã Te Rales

Discover Cantando Branco 2023 and Cantando Tinto 2020 in a 1.5-litre bottle.

Nã Te Rales Tinto 2023 offers expressive fruit and a smooth taste. Also discover the 2024 Nã Te Rales.

Reservas and Tã Sómente

Explore Fonte Mouro Reserva, Fonte Mouro Grande Reserva and Comendador Leonel Cameirinha Grande Reserva.

For Tã Sómente whites, discover Arinto Reserva, Chardonnay Reserva and Sauvignon Blanc.

For reds, explore Tannat Reserva and Touriga Nacional Reserva.

For a toast or to accompany dessert

Sparkling wines and frizzante

For a birthday or New Year’s gift, consider Cartuxa Sparkling Wines Bruto Branco, Bruto Rosé and Bruto Reserva Branco.

Also explore VDG Espumante and Figueirinha Sparkling Wine in 750 ml or 1.5 litres.

Nauta Frisante Branco is another option, distinct from sparkling wines.

Fortified wines and late harvest wines

For those who enjoy these styles, discover Vidigueira Licoroso Branco and Tinto, as well as Vasquinho Licoroso Tinto.

From Cartuxa, explore the Licoroso Tinto and the Licoroso Tinto Reserva.

For late harvest wines, discover Cartuxa and Foral de Évora.

How do I choose from so many options?

Start with your preferred colour and style. For those who like to explore, a single-varietal wine or a talha wine could be a great discovery. For a toast, choose from the sparkling wines.

Set your budget and visit each product page to compare the price, vintage, and format.

For a Christmas gift, choose a bottle with the recipient in mind. If it’s to be opened at dinner, also consider what will be served at the table.

A gift to share at the table

For a wine and cheese pairing, we recommend Pêra-Manca Tinto 2019 with Gourmet Aged Sheep’s Cheese, 800 to 1000 g, with a firm texture and intense flavour.

Serve the wine at 17 °C, as indicated on the product, and the cheese sliced, with the bread on the side.

To choose your cheeses, see our guide How to choose cheese: aged or buttery?.

Frequently asked questions

White or red to give as a gift?

Choose according to the recipient’s preferences. From Herdade’s selection, we recommend Pêra-Manca Branco or Vidigueira Antão Vaz for white wine lovers, and Pêra-Manca Tinto for those who prefer red.

Should I choose based only on the vintage?

Consider the vintage alongside the producer, style, and intended use. Check the vintage listed on the product page before buying, especially if you know a bottle from another year.