Portugal. The Tasting

• Posted on 30 June 2022
• Posted in Alfrocheiro, Aragonez, Bical, boal, Encruzado, malvasia, moscatto, Portugal, Touriga national
• 0

There is a band from Alaska named “Portugal. The Man,” but if all truth be known, I think I would prefer “Portugal. The Tasting.” Wine tasting, that is. The band’s big hit was called “Feel It Still,” but I think we should all go with “Taste It Still”. Enough of the band analogies, lets get to the wine.

Portugal is traditionally known for producing some of the world’s finest fortified wines, called "Ports"; however, some focus has shifted to also producing non-fortified wines often made from the variety of indigenous grapes found in the country.  City Vino’s weekly wine tasting for the July 4^th Holiday weekend will occur on Friday, July 1, from 12 to 5 pm or Saturday, July 2, from 11 to 5 pm. One of these will be where you can experience “Portugal. The Tasting.”

Our first wine is the 2020 Quinta de Cabriz "Colheita Selecionada" Branco, from the Dão region of Portugal. The wine is a blend comprised of 40 percent Encruzado, 20 percent Cerceal, 20 percent Bical, and 20 percent Malvasia Fina. This is a refreshing wine, with aromatics of tropical fruit, citrus, and a hint of lentil. (Yes, lentil! Lentil can be an aromatic sometimes found in Gruner Veltliner.) On the palate, this wine is fresh and fruity, and would be delicious while sitting on the patio or with some cold appetizers--especially seafood.

Another featured wine for “Portugal. The Tasting” is the 2020 Quinta da Pacheca Moscatel Galego, from the Douro. This wine is 100 percent Moscatel Galego, which is a very aromatic grape that brings aromas of apricots, white peach, pear, honey, and lychee. The wine is a dry wine; however, the aromatics and prominent fruit on the palate trick you into thinking that it has some sweetness to it. Flavors echo the aromatics with some additional flavors of pineapple, melon, lemon, and lime. On the fairly generous finish, there are dried apricots and pear, along with honey. This is another wine to pair with a backyard view, a refreshing salad, or shrimp cocktail.

Our next wine is a rosé made from 50 percent Espadeiro Tinto, 25 percent Vinho, and 25 percent Borrasal. It is the NV Aveleda Praia Rosé, from the Vinho Verde region. We mentioned indigenous grapes, and this wine doesn’t disappoint in that area. Praia translates to beach in Portuguese, and this is definitely a wine for a beach or a boat. This crisp, fresh wine features notes of raspberries and strawberries, and wraps up with a hint of the salinity of an ocean breeze. Yet another wine to enjoy as an aperitif, with light salads, or chilled crab, or a salad topped with grilled octopus.

We end our “Portugal. The Tasting” with the 2016 Quinta de Cabriz Red Blend Reserva, again from Quinta de Cabriz, in the Dão region. This wine is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, and Aragonez. Aragonez is more commonly known by the name Tempranillo, but also goes by Ull de Llebre, Cencibel, Tinto Fino, Tinta del Pais, and Tinta Roriz. Whew, and I thought I had a number of names!=

This deep ruby-colored red blend has intense aromas and flavors of wild berries, flowers, and minerality coming together in a wine that is rich, spicy, and juicy on the palate, with an elegant and persistent finish. Pairing suggestions include spiced grilled meats or vegetables. Mediterranean, Asian, Indian, or African spices would definitely complement this wine. Mature cheeses would pair beautifully as well.  This wine was awarded 91 points by Roger Voss from Wine Enthusiast magazine.

Please join us for this “Portugal. The Tasting” experience.