Mateus Rosé 75cl - Fresh Rosé Wine, Screwcap

Agent: Liberty Wines

Grape variety: Rufete, Baga, Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca, Red Grape Blend

Producer: Sogrape Vinhos, S.A.

Winemaker: Miguel Pessanha

History: The Mateus brand was established in 1942 by Fernando Van Zeller Guedes. The brand is most famous for its Mateus Rosé in the iconic flask-shaped bottle, designed to replicate soldiers' hip flasks in World War I. Today, the wine making is looked after by Miguel Pessanha, who has a Masters in Oenology from the University of Bordeaux. His strong focus on quality wine making has contributed to the continuing sales growth for what is one of the UK's best-selling rosé.

Regional information: Miguel sources grapes from throughout Portugal, but Mateus is based primarily on the Baga grape, which is the principal variety in Bairrada, where the winery is situated.

Vinification: Fermentation is carried out slowly, with no skins, in stainless steel vats at a controlled temperature of 16ºC. Fining is followed by cold stabilisation, after which the wine is filtered and bottled. A blend of Baga, Rufete, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Franca, the wine wears its 15 grams of residual sugar well, as the balance with the acidity is cleverly done to give a wine that, if tasted blind, would surprise many.