For The Love Of Port

For some reason red wines always seem to get the most attention even though there are some fantastic white wines produced. Many of us have had some very nice white wines from Portugal. So if you had to pick your best and/or favorite white wine what would it be?

For me I've got two categories...

High end, hard to find, and expensive: 2005 Niepoort Redoma Reserva Branco (just a stunning wine that has a long road ahead)

Daily drinker: NV Broadbent Vinho Verde (hard to beat for the low price)

My (Lately) best portuguese white wine was probably the Qta. das Bagéiras Garrafeira 2001 drank a year ago....still going strong! I was also impressed with the Wine&Soul Guru 2004.

I'd have to go along with you on the 2005 Redoma Branco Reserva for the high end. It remains the best white I've ever had in Portugal ... non-fortified.

As for the bargain end of Whites, I like the Broadent Vinho Verde A LOT, but would have to go with the 2007 Crasto White, which I only have one bottle left. As you know it was their first vintage of white that was commercially released and the price was very reasonable too. Great juice for the money.

Another vote for the 2005 Redoma Branco Reserva.

However, I do remember a stellar Quinta dos Roques Encruzado I had about 10 years ago... I forget the vintage.

Hard to say, but my first thought is the Broadbent VV as others have stated. Then again, I haven't had that many whites from Portugal.

I had a sparkling Bucelas that was outstanding a few years, I think it was 1995.

On the high end (although not as expensive as Redoma Reserva), I would nominate two:

Encontro 1 2008 - from Bairrada

Paço dos Cunhas de Santar Vinha do Contador 2008 (or 2009) - from the Dão


Quinta dos Roques Encruzado is also a really good choice.

Cheers.

Roy Hersh wrote:I'd have to go along with you on the 2005 Redoma Branco Reserva for the high end. It remains the best white I've ever had in Portugal ... non-fortified.

As for the bargain end of Whites, I like the Broadent Vinho Verde A LOT, but would have to go with the 2007 Crasto White, which I only have one bottle left. As you know it was their first vintage of white that was commercially released and the price was very reasonable too. Great juice for the money.

I've got to admit that 2007 Crasto is pretty darn good and I've only got a couple left myself But it's also hard to find where the Broadbent is very easy and cheaper in price. So that kinda takes it for me. Although a close second I recently discovered has been the 2010 Docil Vinho Verde by Niepoort. I just wish I could find more of it near my, as I doubt the store I got it from will restock it once it's gone.

Pedro V. wrote:On the high end (although not as expensive as Redoma Reserva), I would nominate two:

Encontro 1 2008 - from Bairrada

Paço dos Cunhas de Santar Vinha do Contador 2008 (or 2009) - from the Dão


Quinta dos Roques Encruzado is also a really good choice.

Cheers.

Can't say I've had either of these andI'm not sure they are imported to the States. But if they are I'll keep an eye out for them to try.

The Broadbent VV is fine, but certainly not the best Portuguese white I've had. I had an Aveleda VV that I liked more, and even the Kopke from the FTLOP buy was more interesting.