Montreal Portuguese wine tasting

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Mon Jan 23, 2006 6:50 pm

On the 2nd of February the ICEP will organize a nice Portuguese wine tasting in Montreal. It is at Fairmont Le Reine Élisabeth from 14h30 to 18h. If you want to attend to that tasting, send me an email and I'll reply to you with the info. Here is the list of the producers that will be presenting some of their wines through there representive importers.

Adega Cooperativa de Borba
Adega Cooperativa de Cantanhede
Aveleda
Bacalhôa
Campolargo
CARM
Casa Alexandre Relvas
Casa Cortes de Cima
Casa Santos Lima
Caves Aliança
Caves Felgueiras
Caves Vale do Rodo
Cavipor
DFJ Vinhos
Domingos Alves de Sousa
Enoforum
Fundação Eugénio de Almeida
Herdade da Malhadinha Nova
Herdade dos Coelheiros
J. Portugal Ramos
José Maria da Fonseca
Lavradores da Feitoria
Miguel António Viegas Louro
Niepoort
Quinta do Crasto
Quinta da Lixa
Quinta de La Rosa
Quinta do Portal
Quinta do Ventozelo
Real Companhia Velha
Roquevale
Soc. Agr. do Carneiro
Unicer
V. Leite Faria
Vale D.Maria

Post by **Roy Hersh** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 2:03 am

Given a little more notice and a lot more time to taste, I'd show up for a tasting like this. But I just can not justify a 13 hour round trip for just 3.5 hours of drinking pleasure. I am not fast enough when attending these types of gigs and given the large number of people who normally attend, it is tough waiting to get pours at the tables too.

Have a great time Fred!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 8:29 am

Roy, I know the list can look impressive but I'm not sure that names like Crasto and Niepoort will bring their best. We may see Vertente and Redoma, but no chance for Batuta or Charme as I don't think we'll see the great cuvée of Crasto. But on the other side their should be a lot to discover and that's what interesting me the most. Try to look with Mario if he can browse the calender of the ICEP website, I think there will be one event like this in Vancouver soon too. Try looking at this entry but I'm not sure it is the same event as in montreal: http://www.icep.pt/mercados/fe_detalhe. ... idCalend=3

By the way, if you come to Montreal, I'll make sure that if you can stay for more than 3,5hrs, you'll have a blast of a time. That's sad I didn't know it earlier! That being said, there will be a Montreal wine fair this year during 4 days in March, I think its from the 23 to the 26.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:56 pm

I got some more info, they are especting many producers to be there. Actually most of the entry should be reprensented by their producers but as usual the list was made before they confirmed their presence.

Also I'll be working there, they called me today, don't hesitate to come and say hello while I'll pour you some Crasto

Im a Dad · Post by **Im a Dad** » Tue Jan 24, 2006 4:38 pm

How exciting that you'll actually be working at the event - and sharing your knowledge with others. Good going, Fred!

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:14 pm

Back from the tasting, wow this was a great day! I don't have much time to write on the wines. I've tasted over 50 dry wines, some where boring, some really good and 2-3 great wines.

From the 2003 vintage, too much dry wines have thin fruit and strong dry tannins that I doubt would integrate well. This was the biggest reason why so much wine where not pleasant and I doubt they will ever be. 2001 from what I've tasted and according to many producers is yet the best vintage for Portugal for dry wines. Again some speculate that 2005 should be better.

My top 3 and the reason why.

Niepoort Batuta 2003: Best wine of the day and I was expecting it to be. From Douro region.

Herdade de Malhadinha Nova, Malhadinha 2004: Close to batuta for the joy it gives right now. It won't go as far but for half the price, it was the best discovery I made today as I didn't know the producer. From alentejo region.

D. Fuas Reserva 2001 : What a bargain! For 10$ it shows a lot of character, good fruit, strong tannins but not unpleasant. from Beiras region.

If you'd like to see pictures of the event, I've put some at this address. You can see me with my winter bear for the cold winter of Québec!

http://www.frederickblais.com/pics/thum ... p?album=25

I'll review my notes tomorrow and I'll give you some wine names worth looking for as they are at least a dozen. Big names producing great dry wines were not there but still they are some discoveries to be made.

Post by **Andy Velebil** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 10:45 pm

Fred,

Nice pictures and I look forward to your notes. BTW, I just got to bust your chops about the beard and let you know it was a sunny 68f (20c) here in L.A.

Frederick Blais · Post by **Frederick Blais** » Sun Feb 05, 2006 1:43 pm

Well Andy, it was not to bad today in Montreal. With the sun showing in sometimes my thermometer indicated 13 celcius. Normally its supposed to be -5 to -10 at this time of the year.

Back to the wines, I will not make tasting notes as I have too many to write but I'll put some recommendations of wines to look for. Either because they gave me lot of pleasure drinking them or they are great QPR.

Carm Grande Eschola 2003
Carm Quinta do Coa reserve 2004
Niepoort Redoma Branco 2004
Niepoort Redoma Tinto 2003
Niepoort Batuta 2003
Niepoort Vertente 2001
Lavradores de Feitoria Grande Eschola 2003
Quinta do la Rosa 2003
Quinta do La rosa Reserve 2004
Jose Maria Fonseca Periquita Classico 2001
Jose Maria Fonseca/Van Zeller Domini Plus 2001
Campolargo Vinha Da Costa 2003
Vincente Leite de Faria Animus 2003-- Pleasure wine to drink at 12 celcius
Quinta do Portal Peccatore 2000 -- Great QPR for 12$ can
D. Fuas Reserva 2001 -- Great QPR for 12$ can
Quinta do Portal Grande Reserve 2000
Evel Grande Eschola 2001
Wines made by Herdate de Malhadinha Nova
Wines made by Herdade do Grous

The 2 later made by the same winemaker, my discovery of the afternoon.