Wines of Portugal – Some Favorites from the 2013 Tasting

One of the many reasons I love writing about wine is that I have the opportunity to attend trade tastings of wines from around the world!  The most recent tasting I enjoyed was at Chicago’s Bin 36 and featured were the Wines of Portugal.  And I honestly believe that thewines from tis country are going to be the Next Big Thing…

Those at the tasting tables were quite proud of their wine and rightly so….there are many reasons to select a Portuguese wine.  The 250 unique grape varieties including Loureiro, Alvarinho, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz are grown only in Portugal and thanks to the diversity of microclimates in that small country, there is a wide range of wine styles which can pair well with so many foods.  Winemakers in Portugal are honoring their culture and using traditional techniques yet are cognizant of more modern methods in order to produce the best wine possible.  And accolades?  Apparently for every ten wines submitted to competitions, eight receive an award.  But what I think is fantastic is not only the taste of the wine and its expression of the its region, but its affordability.

Listed below are just a few of my Wines of Portugal favorites after a very brief description of the winery or region…

Pinhal Da Torre – This winery is located in the heart of Portugal’s wine producing region of Ribatejo.  Pinhal da Torre has been known for its elegant wines of quality, but more and more rave reviews are being written about their wines.  Apparently I’m one of them!!

**2 Worlds White 2010– Chardonnay and Arinto e Fernao Pires grapes combine to give mineral and citrus aromas with more citrus and a bit of smoke on the palate.  I loved the long and satisfying finish!

**Fernao Pires 2010 – The Fernao Pires grape shines in the fresh, aroma filled wine with grapefruit and mint leading to a snappy finish.

Quinta da Lixa – From the largest DOC in Portugal, the Vinho Verde region is in the northwest area of Portugal.  Vines grow in rich, granite soils along rivers that flow from the mountains in the east and towards the ocean.

**Quinta da Lixa Loureiro 2012 – This lovely white wine was my first at the tasting.

**Terras do Minho Touriga Nacional 2012 – Ahhh, such a nice rose to enjoy on a warm afternoon!

Quinta  & Casa das Hortas – Another winery from the Vinho Verde region produced fantastic wines yet their website is under construction.

**Hortas do Caseirinho 2012 – This rose consisting of Vinhao, Espadal, and Tinto Roriz grapes was crisp and fruity but still dry (I asked for another taste…)

It’s interesting that the websites of many of these wineries from the tasting are under construction or not at all complete.  Information about specific wines is difficult to find and frankly, when I’m at a trade tasting, I tend not to take extensive tasting notes – preferring instead to talk with the winemakers about their wines (but I’ll do better next time!)  All mentioned above are considerably less than $20 and most are in the $10 range.   Look for these wines in your local wine shop, but if they are unavailable, try another from Portugal! Refer to the Wines of Portugal link and learn!  It’s all about having your own “grape experience”!

Cheers to some wonderful Wines from Portugal!~ Cindy