For The Love Of Port

I may be in Portugal in late August. Probably in the south (where family is), but I may try to get north. My question is: is there a port you can't find at home but know you could pick up if you went to Portugal?

If you can provide an answer, divide it in 2 parts: (1) a wish list without regard to price; and (2) less expensive (my personal price range).

Noval or Kopke 1937 Colheita. Brunheda, San Leonardo, Quinta do Revolta over 40 year tawny. Some of the White Ports with indicated age or Colheitas. Unfortunately the 1952 Dalva Golden White is in very short supply if not at all available. The Brunheda is actually not very expensive.
For other less expensive ones, the Wiese&Krohn 30 year old. Most of the Vintage Ports are available in the States. Maybe magnums of Tedo.

+1 on the S. Leonardo. My parents picked up a bottle of the 30 year old tawny in Porto for me when they were there, and it did not disappoint. The old Dalva whites would also be a consideration, but I found a source of those in Switzerland.

Dalva is not sold in the USA and their Presidential branded products are quite limited here. They make great colheitas. It's not so much buying "Not in USA, ports", but buying "not sold anyhwere near me" ports. Are you able to visit any lodges in VNG?

Moses Botbol wrote:Dalva is not sold in the USA and their Presidential branded products are quite limited here. They make great colheitas. It's not so much buying "Not in USA, ports", but buying "not sold anyhwere near me" ports. Are you able to visit any lodges in VNG?

My trip is unplanned (and right now only exists in my head). My wife and kids will be there for a month regardless. My wife is from the South, and she has never been north of Fatima. Realistically, we may travel north of Sintra, so my question is more geared towards buying something that I cannot get where I am in the US, and something that I can bring home.

I know I can probably buy anything over the internet, but I am looking for a trophy or two to bring back home that I can sit back with and savor the memory of my trip (the memory of the trip in general - not the memory of buying it in a liquor store!)

Actually, the closest I'll get to a VNG is the Solar do Vinho do Porto in Lisbon. I've been there once for a drink about a decade ago, but can't remember if they sell port there. Do they?

How about a 1972 vintage? Certainly a would a "trophy" for me based on its rarity and the story behind the vintage.

Why dont you buy some Queijo da Serra?
You certainly wont be able to find it in the US and it will go wonderfully with either a fruitier port or a douro wine.

Miguel Simoes wrote:Why dont you buy some Queijo da Serra?

I can and have bought it in my state (MA), and I think he'll have a heck of time getting it through Customs.

Sadly, unless you lie to the US Customs agent and risk the penalty for doing so, it is not legal to bring Serra de Estrela into the USA; unless you are a certified importer and have all of the proper paperwork filled out.

If you visit Lisbon, it's worth calling in to Garrafeira Nacional and taking a look at what they have in their museum. As a recommendation of something to buy in Portugal not available in the US regardless of price, how about a bottle of Ferreira 1830 for €1,980?

Port tongs are fun and not so easy to find in USA.

Vintage 2009 and some old whites.

/Paul

I look for interesting things which I can't get at home. Usually, it's the smaller producers who don't make enough and/or don't have the distribution ouside Portugal or a few European countries.