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Portuguese Wines
Portugal prides itself on having some of the oldest known grape varieties,
but most wines made from them are unique to that country and do not travel
widely, with the exceptions of Port and Madeira (Malmsey). Therefore, few
wine sellers carry the varieties and even fewer wine aficionados have had the
opportunity to appreciate the differences between these wines and the names so
familiar in Northern California.
Portuguese Red Wines
Garrafeira Reguengos DOC, Alentejo, Vinho Tinta, 13.0%, 1996 -
$24.99
A deep dark red. Still tannic, with lots of rich berries, raspberry.
Complex with high acidity. Will cellar nicely for another few years.
Decant for 30 minutes if serving now. Atypical for a Portuguese red, but
interesting. Good with roasted meats.
Jose Maria da Fonesca Periquita, Azeito, 12.0%, 1992 - $16.99
Periquita (pronounced peh-ree-KEE-tah) is a red-wine grape grown throughout
southern Portugal, especially in the coastal areas. This Periquita is
full-bodied, but could not be enjoyed any earlier because the wine is tannic and
hot/harsh when young. Aging softens the wine in the bottle, allowing it to
develop into this tightly structured example with just a hint of figs.
Sogrape Alt Alentejano, 12.0%, 1999 - $10.99
Sogrape is Portugal's largest producer and has made huge inroads working with
smaller vineyards to produce new labels, of which this is one, a regional wine
which must be 85% a local grape of the region. This wine is one of the
best examples of a regional with its deep dark red, rich plum flavor, mellow
with just a touch of wood. Nice with stewed or roasted meats or may be
drunk as a stand-alone wine and is ready now.
Floral Douro Reserva, 12.0%, 1999 - $4.99
The price shown is not a typo! This is the value selection in red wines, a
great little merlot-style red from Portugal's justly famous Sangalhos area with
herbal and floral scents. Not a heavy-duty wine, just great for snacks
with sausages, picnics - in fact, it may be drunk with anything.
Portuguese White Wines
Avelada Vinho Verde Branco, 8.5%, 2001 - $5.75
Here is a pale yellow, slightly petulant, delightful refreshing white wine that
is low in calories per glass. It is lemony, intensely fresh and hard to
compare to any other white wine with which Californians are familiar.
Vinho Verde is unique in its flavor. Good as an aperitif or with cheese,
olives and crackers. Serve well chilled.
Penafiel Casal Garcia Branco, 9.0%, 2001 - $5.49
Another typical example of the very dry Portuguese white with the same slight
effervescence and
intense lemony character.
Prices subject to change
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