Wine Wednesday - Portugal 2024

Portugal is a large producer of wine with a rapidly improving wine industry.  In the UK we know Portugal mainly for its famous fortified Port wines, but there is so much more to Portugal than that.  

As ever this "Wine Wednesday" event is delivered via "Zoom" on 3 consecutive Wednesday evenings with 2 great wines each evening.  

Week 1 - Wednesday 21st February

We start with a "green" wine, a Vinho Verde from northern Portugal (Grapes: Loureiro 50%, Arinto 35%, Avesso 15%, hand harvested).  Off-dry, with the classic spritz, Vila Nova's Vinho Verde has floral and citrus aromas leading on to a palate with more bright, citrus acidity and a lingering finish.

Next we journey to a historic mountainous region south of the Douro valley famous for its red wines - Dao.  (Grapes: A blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro and Tinta Roriz. Aged for six months in American oak barrels).  The Gandarada Dão is a supple, vibrant red wine which is medium in body. The freshness found in wines from Dão originates from the granite and sandy soils in which the vines are planted.

• Vila Nova Vinho Verde 2022 - Retail Price £9.99
• Gandarada Boas Quintas Dao 2019 - Retail Price £11.45

Week 2 - Wednesday 28th February

We make our first visit to the Douro Valley to sample one of its underrated white wines.  (Grapes: A blend of 60% Rabigato, 20% Viosinho, 10% Arinto and 10% Codega, hand harvested, 10% barrel fermented, 90% in stainless steel).  The 2021 Branco is extremely fresh and delicate. Aromas of lemons, herbs and white flowers finishing with a slight spice. A dry palate with hints of ripe golden fruit and a lemon finish.

For our next wine we journey to Portugal's capital, Lisbon.  This is a Vinho Regional Lisboa rather than a traditionally labelled DOC wine. (Grapes: A blend of Castelão, Tinta Roriz, Syrah and Touriga Franca. Partial oak ageing).  A wine characterized by is aromatic exuberance, with notes of red fruits and vanilla. In the mouth it is fruity with velvety notes of red ripe fruits, balanced by notes of spices, chocolate and some oak notes. An elegant wine with firm tannins and a fruity finish.

• Duas Quintas Branco 2021 - Retail Price £18.45
• Topo Lisboa, Vinho Regional Lisboa, Portugal, 2019 - Retail Price £9.99

Week 3 - Wednesday 6th March 

For our third and final week, we focus squarely on the Douro Valley, widely regarded as the best region in Portugal for wine production.  It is of course the area that grows grapes for Port production, but its table wines should not be overlooked.

Both of our wines are from famous Port producer Ramos Pinto, with grapes grown at Quinta de Ervamoira and Quinta dos Bons Ares (hence Duas Quintas).  

Firstly we have the Duas Quintas Tinto 2021, (Grapes: A complex blend of 51% Touriga Nacional, 26% Touriga Franca, with the remaining 23% from Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca, Sousão, Tinto Cão, Tinta Amarela and Tinta da Barca). 

After malolactic fermentation, 20% of the wine is aged in French oak barrels, 30% in large oak vats and the remainder stored in stainless steel vats for 12 months.

Dark red in colour, clean and bright. On the nose there are fresh aromas of berries such as blackberries, strawberries and raspberries. This is followed by fresh spices and warm, toasty aromas. On the palate the fruit intensity and concentration are high. It finishes long and fresh, with soft tannins.

Our final wine is something rather special, the Duas Quintas Tinto Reserva 2019.  (Grapes: 65% Touriga Nacional & 35% Touriga Francesa). 

Harvesting and sorting is by hand, into small boxes. Vinification of the  done in granite lagares, and wooden and in concrete vats.  For 18 months, it was aged in large oak vats, new and one-year-old French oak barrels.

Clear, brilliant colour with a dense, concentrated appearance. A rich, mature, subtle and smoked nose with aromas reminiscent of red plums, figs, peaches and blackberries. The tannin structure is both powerful and smooth, promising excellent ageing potential.  This really is the Douro Superior in all its splendour.

• Duas Quintas Tinto 2021 - Retail Price £19.45
• Duas Quintas Tinto Reserva 2019 - Retail Price £40.45

We have partnered with Fraziers Wines of Solihull  to supply these wines.  A special discounted price of £100 will apply, please follow this link to place your order.

nb: To qualify for free delivery, consider topping up your order from Frazier's excellent range to £135, otherwise a delivery charge of £7.95 will apply.