For The Love Of Port

Okay, I might be alone here on these boards, but I don't think I've ever had a table wine from Portugal. Can anyone direct me to where to begin? Are there different styles? What grapes are used?

Specifically, I'm looking for something to serve with dinner between flights of my Vintage Port tasting. The guys will probably want a break from the sweet for a while. And I figure, if I can keep the Portugal theme going, all the better!

Any suggestions for around $30?

Thanks!
Van

Hi Van

A good place to start could be Quinta do Crasto, they make good wines at pretty much every price level, and I think they are quite easy to find in the US.
Their website is also very informative wrt grape varieties etc.

Another good producer is Herdade do Esporao, they are not Douro but Alentejo.

Hope this helps
Claus

Ramos Pinto Duas Quintas is another one to look for. They offer it on three different levels; regular, reserva, and reserva especial (all great at their respective price range).

Churchill Grahams and Dona Matilde are two Douro brands worth seeking as well.

I am preferential to Dao's first for Portuguese wines; their price point and aging potential is hard to rival, not to mention the selection is much larger.

Have you considered any white wines between port? Vino Verde made with Alvarinho grapes is nice. Broadbent makes a good one for under $20. Bucelas is another region to consider.

Van W wrote:Okay, I might be alone here on these boards, but I don't think I've ever had a table wine from Portugal. Can anyone direct me to where to begin? Are there different styles? What grapes are used?

Specifically, I'm looking for something to serve with dinner between flights of my Vintage Port tasting. The guys will probably want a break from the sweet for a while. And I figure, if I can keep the Portugal theme going, all the better!

Any suggestions for around $30?

You might be able to find some Quinta do Crasto Old Vines Reserva in that price range. I know that the 2006 is more expensive ($45-ish) but I seem to recall hearing that most of their other recent years have been somewhat less than that.

Also, even though it's not $30, I have to recommend Oscar's Wine from Quevedo. It's a very nice, inexpensive table wine that goes really well with food. As I recall it's made from Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz, both of which are also used to make Port. The 2008 is a bit more rustic and "old world" in nature, while the 2009 has a more modern European feel to it. In 2009 they also made a reserve-level wine called Claudia's - named after their winemaker, Oscar's sister Claudia. I don't think that the 2009 has made it to the US yet, but maybe Oscar can tell us for sure?

Van,

Check out Wine Exchange and Hi Times, which are near you. They both carry a good line of Douro dry wines in a variety of price ranges. So far I've not had a bad one they've stocked so you're pretty safe picking out anything they carry. Wine Exchange also has the 2007 Crasto Reserva for $30 right now, which is about as cheap as you'll get it. Worth a 6 or 12 pack at that price.

For white's the Broadbent Vinha Verde is a great bargain at about $8-9 (although not a Douro wine).

Here are just a few WineX rec's:

2003/4/5 Niepoort Batuta
PORRAIS 2007 DOURO VALLEY WHITE
QUINTA DO CRASTO 2007 RESERVA OLD VINES
QUINTA DO VALLADO 2008 DOURO RED
QUINTA DO VALLADO 2008 RESERVA FIELD BLEND

and a few Hi Times Rec's

CHRYSEIA 07 POST SCRIPTUM
NIEPOORT 07 VERTENTE
NIEPOORT 2007 TWISTED RED
PRATS & SYMINGTON CHRYSEIA 04 DOURO
2009 MURALHAS MONCA VINHO VERDE (white wine not from Douro but really good and cheap)

Thanks everyone!

I've picked up the Broadbent Vinho Verde for the appetizers, and the Qta. do Crasto 2007 Reserva Old Vines to go with dinner. I was surprised I was able to so easily locate these wines at my local wine shops (Wine Exchange and Bev Mo). So I'm all set now. I look forward to trying each one!

Van W wrote:Thanks everyone!

I've picked up the Broadbent Vinho Verde for the appetizers, and the Qta. do Crasto 2007 Reserva Old Vines to go with dinner.

Good selection. Make sure to give the Crasto a couple of hours decant. Heck, the Broadbent can stand an hour uncorked before serving.