portuguese wines · 2 days ago · do great things with it suggests that the blame lays at the door...

PORTUGUESE WINES

In looking at Portugal’s wine regions, it’s helpful to split the country in two, by drawing a line about a third of the way down. This separates the northern regions of the Douro, Dão and Bairrada, and the central and southern regions of the Alentejo, Ribatejo and Estremadura. As a useful generalization, the future for the northern regions lies in focusing on high-quality, top-end ‘terroir’ wines, while the strength of the southern and central regions is their ability to produce accessible, full flavoured red wines in large quantities and at affordable prices: new world-style wines with a Portuguese twist.

Alentejo The Alentejo has led the way in Portugal’s wine revolution. It’s a region that has enjoyed tremendous success over the last decade, producing red wines in two distinctive styles. On the one hand, there is the traditional Alentejo style. This is typified by José Maria da Fonseca, part of which is fermented in clay pots, and which displays leathery, herby, sweet-spice complexity. Another traditional producer is Cartuxa (from Évora), best known for the brilliant but unusual cult wine Pera Manca. However there is now a move to the more modern, fruit-forward, almost new-world style that has been such a huge commercial success and which has propelled this region forward so fast. The Alentejo is huge, with its flat plains covering almost a third of the country. Much of this area is given over to cereal production. It is also hot, and irrigation is common. In contrast to the northern regions, with their fragmented smallholdings, production is dominated by large, professional outfits.

Bairrada Unusually for Portugal, Bairrada is a region dominated by just one grape, the often-maligned Baga. 80% of wines from this region are red, and almost all of these are made from Baga. It is thick-skinned, high in acidity and pretty tannic. Combine this with the common practice of leaving the stems in the fermentation vat, and it has the potential to make tough, challenging wines. But while many of the wines made from Baga are overly astringent, the fact that some winemakers do great things with it suggests that the blame lays at the door of the less competent producers rather than the grape.

Dão

Dão reds have changed beyond all recognition over the last years. There has been massive improvement, and while there’s still some mediocre wine made here, the overall standard has been raised. Like Bairrada, though, the fragmentation of vineyard holdings has been a hindrance to progress. Located inland, the Dão has cold wet winters but mild, dry summers. The granitic-soiled vineyards are at altitude, resulting in ripe grapes with good acidity, and the potential for elegant, expressive red wines.

Douro In a relatively short period of time the Douro has established itself as Portugal’s premium wine region. It’s hard to overstate the scale and pace of change that is currently taking place in this most spectacular of wine regions. The steeply terraced vineyards contain some wonderful landscapes, but because of the economic dominance of the Port trade it is only recently that these have been widely exploited to produce premium wines.

Estremadura A long, thin region running up the Atlantic coast from Lisbon, Estremadura has struggled in the past as a producer of bulk wine from tired cooperatives. While the region is still quite a mixed bag, there are some impressive wines emerging at both the quality and volume ends of the market. As in the Ribatejo, it is not uncommon to find international grape varieties planted here. Some appealing fruity whites are also made here.

Ribatejo

For a long time the provider of bulk wine, the Ribatejo is now emerging as an exciting source of modern-styled commercially astute red wines. The fertile alluvial soils on the banks of the river Tagus produce soft-textured, ripe, drinkable reds in the sorts of quantities and at the price that excites supermarket buyers. Further up, on the stonier soils more serious wines can be made. Unlike most other Portuguese regions, foreign varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are quite common here, and seem to do well.

Algarve

The demarcated region of the Algarve has existed since 1980, but for a long time the vines have been abandoned, neglecting the genetic inheritance of old grape varieties. However, as a result of strong investment over the last few decades, about 30 producers have been able to reap the rewards. Today the Algarve, as a region producing quality wine is a reality, enhanced by excellent terroirs, with a touch of clay that is often identified as a characteristic trait of Algarve wines. There are four wine-producing regions in the Algarve with Designation of Origin: Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa and Tavira.

All prices are inclusive of IVA (VAT) at the prevailing rate.

BARRANCÔA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2016

Region: Alentejo – Portugal

Grape variety: Aragonês,Trincadeira

and Alicante Bouschet.

Winemaker: Paulo Laureano

Producer: Ribafreixo

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Garnet

Aroma: Ripe dark berries with toasted spices.

Mouth: Well structured, elegant, with a long persistent finish.

Glass 125 ml: €3.50 Glass 175mcl: €4.30 Carafe 500 ml: €10.00 Bottle 750 ml: €14.95

CHAMINÉ

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2018


Grape variety: Aragonez, Syrah, Touriga Nacional,

Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet

Winemaker: Hans Kristian Jorgensen

Producer: Cortes de Cima

Production: 228.000 bottles

Alcohol %: 13.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Cherry red

Aroma: Attractive mix of red and dark berry fruit aromas with some

minty notes.

Mouth: Solid, well focused palate with a nice fresh acidity on the

finish

Glass 125 ml: €5.40 Glass 175 ml: €6.00 Carafe 500 ml: €15.50 Bottle 750 ml: €21.10

GAUDIO CLASSICO

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2014


Grape variety: Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez,

Touriga Nacional, Tinta Miúda

Winemaker: Paulo Laureano

Producer: Ribafreixo


Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Garnet

Aroma: Notes of tropical fruits, spices and minerals.

Mouth: Balanced, fresh and with a persistent finish in the mouth

€22.40

finish in the mouth.

22.40

CONDE DE ANADIA

RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2015

Region: Dão – Portugal

Grape variety: Touriga Nacional,

Alfrocheiro, Jaen

Winemaker: Paulo Nunes

Producer: Palácio Anadia Vinhos

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep red with purple reflections.

Aroma: Red forest fruits, spices mocha and light hints of

tobacco.

Mouth: Fresh and silky with elegant tannins that give

complexity and balance.

€29.00

DORINA LINDEMANN

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2018


Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca,

Touriga Franca

Winemaker: Dorinna Lindemann

Producer: Quinta da Plansel

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.50

Tasting Notes

Colour: Intense garnet red

Aroma: Flavour of dark fruits, a touch of red current and floral

notes

Mouth: Fine, fruity spicy touch on the palate. Balanced structure

with soft tannin

€18.80

DORINA LINDEMANN

RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2017


Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Tinta

Barroca, Touriga Franca

Winemaker: Dorinna Lindemann

Producer: Quinta da Plansel

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Intense garnet red

Aroma: Sweet fruits and floral notes with hints of black chocolate,

anise and marsipan..

Mouth: earthy notes influenced by crystallized fruits. Very dense

and complex structure, with an elegant and vigourous

presentation. .

€25.50

CORTES DE CIMA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2015


Grape variety: Aragonez, Syrah, Touriga

Nacional, Petit Verdot

Winemaker: Hans Kristian Jorgensen

Producer: Cortes de Cima

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Cherry

Aroma: Spicy, savory aromas with some vanilla notes.

Mouth: Sweet, savoury fruit, flavors with an elegant palate.

€25.50

HERDADE DOS GROUS

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2017


Grape variety: Alicante Bouschet, Syrah,

Touriga Nacional, Aragonês

Winemaker: N/A

Producer: Herdade dos Grous

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep, concentrated plummy-red tones

Aroma: Complex aromas. Mature well integrated fruit.

Mouth: Full-flavoured, good concentration, soft tannin structure.

€28.50

JULIAN REYNOLDS – GRANDE RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2011


Grape variety: Alicante Bouschet, Syrah,

Trincadeira

Winemaker: Nelson Martins

Producer: Julian C. Reynolds


Alcohol %: 14.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Garnet

Aroma: Fresh plums, fruits of the wood, some spices and green

coffee.

Mouth: Structured, fresh with round and elegant tannins. Long and

pleasing persistence.

€32.00

QUINTA DO CARMO

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2015


Grape variety: Aragonez, Trincadeira,

Alicante Bouschet

Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Filipa Tomaz da Costa

Producer: Bacalhoa, S.A.

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dense red

Aroma: Complex aromas of red berry fruits and vanilla.

Mouth: Balanced and elegant, presenting a good structure.

Concentrated with smooth tannins.

Complex aromas of red berry fruits and vanilla.

Balanced and elegant, presenting a good structure.

€32.00

PERIQUITA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2018

Region: Setúbal peninsula – Portugal

Grape variety: Castelão, Trincadeira, Aragonez

Winemaker: Domingos S. Franco

Producer: J. M. da Fonseca

Production: 1.2 million litres

Alcohol %: 13.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep Red.

Aroma: Fruity with blackberries, raspberries, ripe strawberries,

blackcurrant. Oak wood with some vanilla behind.

Mouth: Fruity, with volume, some persistence, soft but with

present tannins. Good acidity that gives “grip“.

Glass 125 ml: €4.70 Glass 175 ml: €5.40 Carafe 500 ml: €13.50 Bottle 750 ml: €17.60

QUINTA DE SÃO SEBASTIÃO

RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2015

Region: Lisbon – Portugal

Grape variety: Merlot, Touriga Nacional,

Syrah

Winemaker: Filipe Sevinate Pinto

Producer: Quinta de S. Sebastião

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep garnet

Aroma: Ripe fruits, orange blossoms and spices. Toasted notes from

12 month aging in Franch oak barrels

Mouth: Intense and elegant. Good tannins

€26.00

QUINTA DA ALORNA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2016

Region: Tagus – Portugal

Grape variety: Tinta Roriz, Castelão,

Syrah, Alicante Bouschet

Winemaker: Marta Reis Simões

Producer: Quinta da Alorna


Alcohol %: 13.50

Tasting Notes

Colour: Dark red ruby colour

Aroma: Clean, strong ripe fruit and oak aromas.

Mouth: Full and round bodied with smooth tannins. Lingering finish

and pleasant.

€16.80

QUINTA DA ALORNA RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2016

Region: Tagus – Portugal


Cabernet Sauvignon

Winemaker: Marta Reis Simões

Producer: Quinta da Alorna


Alcohol %: 13.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep red

Aroma: Intense violet and ripe blackcurrant aromas from the

Touriga Nacional matched with typical Cabernet Sauvignon spices

and the complexity given by the ageing oak.

Mouth: Balanced, round and persistent in body, confirming floral

and ripe berries hints.

€25.60

CARM

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2016

Region: Douro – Portugal

Grape variety: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional,

Tinta Roriz

Winemaker: Antonio Ribeiro

Producer:: CARM

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 13.7%

Tasting Notes

Colour: Ruby

Aroma: Complex aroma with discreet notes of wood.

Mouth: Full flavoured with firm tannin notes and smooth texture.

Persistent in the finish.

€21.00

: Full flavoured with firm tannin notes and smooth texture.

€21.00

CASA DE SANTAR

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2013

Region: Dão – Portugal


Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz.

Winemaker: Pedro Vasconcellos

Producer: Dão Sul


Alcohol %: 14.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Intense garnet with strokes of brown

Aroma: Woodland berries and spices. Hints of fresh red berries and

roasted nuances.

Mouth: Great structure and class. Nicely tweaked tannins with

pronounced fruit. Very smooth.

€32.00

TERRAS DO GRIFO

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2017


Grape variety: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional,

Tinto Cão, Sousão

Winemaker: Luciano Madureira

Producer: Rozès, S.A.

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 13.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Rubi

Aroma: Spices, vanilla and fresh red berries.

Mouth: Smooth and well defined tannins. Good acidity and volume.

Long and persistent finish in the mouth.

€19.20

PAPA FIGOS

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2018

Region: Douro

Grape variety: Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca,

Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional

Winemaker: Luis Sottomayor

Producer: Casa Ferreirinha

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 13.50

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep ruby colour with violet nuances.

Aroma: Dominated by floral notes of violet and rock rose, balsamic

aromas of resin and cedar and well ripened red and black fruit.

Mouth: Good volume, well-integrated acidity, high-quality

and black and red fruit notes. Its finish is elegant and harmonious.

Glass 125 ml: €5.50 Glass 175 ml: €Carafe 500 ml: €15.00 Bottle 750 ml:

ominated by floral notes of violet and rock rose, balsamic

aromas of resin and cedar and well ripened red and black fruit.

quality tannins

and black and red fruit notes. Its finish is elegant and harmonious.

€6.10 l: €19.40

VINHA DOS

SANTOS

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2015


Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Touriga

Franca e Tinta Roriz

Winemaker: Anselmo Mendes

Producer: Vnha dos Santos

Production: N/A

Alcohol %: 13.5

Tasting Notes

Colour: Bright ruby.

Aroma: Ripe red berries and spices

Mouth: Structured, round and elegant.

€25.50

QUINTA DO COUQUINHO

RESERVA

Type: Red

Vintage Year: 2017


Grape variety: Touriga Nacional, Touriga

Franca and Sousão.

Winemaker: João Brito e Cunha

Producer: Quinta do Couquinho


Alcohol %: 15.0

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep purple and dense

Aroma: intense and complex aromas highlighting fig, black fruits

(blueberry, black cherry and plum), well balanced with spices and

vanilla.

Mouth: dense and powerful yet elegant and fresh confi

nose and giving great depth. An excellent combination between

elegance and strength.

intense and complex aromas highlighting fig, black fruits

(blueberry, black cherry and plum), well balanced with spices and

et elegant and fresh confirmed by the

nose and giving great depth. An excellent combination between

€33.00

portuguese wines · 2 days ago · do great things with it suggests that the blame lays at the door...

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