The Alentejo region (meaning "beyond the Tejo", the Portuguese name for the mighty Tagus River,  which flows 1000km across nearly the entire Iberian Peninsula), is known more for its cork trees than its wine grapes. The climate here, in southeastern Portugal, is hot and dry, the population sparsely settled.

Terra D'Alter is the winemaking project of Peter Bright, an Australian vintner who relocated to southern Portugal in the 1980s. Bright likes to highlight the indigenous varietals found here, including the delicious medium-bodied red alfrocheiro. He works with two local farming families, Roquette and Castel-Branco Borges, to grow the grapes, from which he then fashions the wines.

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This 2019 is full of crunchy blackberry, dark cherry, and plum, with a touch of herbal bitterness, and some leathery, chewy tannins. Drink it a little chilled, at cellar temperature, for the perfect summer red. It's great with red meats and richly spiced dishes, as well as bbq pork ribs.