Portuguese Tasting- With Tom Cannevan

Hey Everyone,

Today I'm finally putting out my notes from a tasting session I recently attended with Scottish wine writer, Tom Cannavan. Tom maintains the popular Wine Pages website and holds various distinctions throughout the world of wine, judging competitions on three continents, to holding the Louis Roederer Wine Writer's award to having appeared on Scottish television. Suffice to say, an impressive list of credentials!

The tasting he took us through was focused on Portuguese wines, that chronically underrated wine producing country, and I have to say that even for someone who recognises the qualities and virtues of Portugal's wine, I was surprised by some of these bottles. They ran the gamut from light spritsy whites to full-blooded heavy reds with at least one wine which was completely unlike anything I'd ever had before.

So here are my findings...

Alvarinho 2009 Capitao-mor. This wine is rich and round. Very fresh acidity but plenty of fruit, mineral and great balance. Long mineral laced finish. Part of a new wave of vinho verde, going for a bigger, more concentrated style. I like it... A lot.

Lagoalva 2011 Vinho Regional Tejo. blend of all sorts of grapes, modern style of wine making. Something reminiscent of Aussie viognier and even elements reminiscent of Sancerre. Mineral, peachy fruit and super pleasant.

Pato Frio 2011 DOC Alentejo. Very stinky and almost sweaty on the nose. Reminds me of Italian verdicchio. Big mouthfeel, super chewy and almost oily. Interesting stuff, definitely unique. I like it a lot.

Quinta da Raza Vinhao 2011. WTF. Very cool deep colour. One of very few red juiced grapes. Very interesting fizziness, almost what i expect from Inho Verde, but red. If you like Coca-Cola and want a quality wine, this is it. The acidity is high, bits of sweetness and fruit. Very pleasant and refreshing, could be nicely chilled. I wouldn't have more than a few glasses, but in context and with the right food, this is a gem!

Tinta da Anfora 2009- More classic aromas of light black fruit; brambles rather than currants, perhaps touches of flowers, hints of spice and a background of meat. Very green on the palate, nice tannins, and a dusting of rosemary and sage. Very high quality stuff.

Quinta de la Rosa 2009 Douro- Deep dark colour, bright sour currants and cherries. Highly aromatic, bits of violets. Nice restrained elegant finish, lovely stuff with great balance. What can I say aside from what a good value this wine is at £15. I would happily pay £20 for such a solid, well made wine. I would be curious to put this bottle away in a cellar in some neglected corner and just forget about it only to discover it in ten or fifteen years to see what it's up to.

So thank you Tom. You showed me plenty of good value wines to be found in the Portuguese section of a good local merchant. I hope you all take that leap of faith into a new range of great wines and you will be happy you'd done so.

Much Love,

G.

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