Port Explorers Tour – Alentejo wine with good review

[Rune EG]

I have read your Port Explorers Tour – part deux where you amongst others refer to a white wine from Alentejo wine producer Herdade do Perdigao. You stated that this wine got your highest score during that particular afternoon visit.

This inspired me to write about the same wine producer. During two occasions, Azores Sept 06 and Madeira Feb 10, we have had red wine 2001 Herdade do Perdigao Reserva for dinner at restaurants. I have so far not given any red wine above 95 pts, but this one could be a candidate. Amazing wine that is so fantastically well balanced and having the combination I look for; power and elegance. Unfortunately not available in Scandinavia, but on my next visit to Portugal I will hunt for it.

With some honourable exceptions I am a bit sceptical to Alentejo red wines, as their general style is not according to my taste. Please note Herdade do Perdigao is not the same as Quinta do Perdigao, latter being located in Dao. They have a nice Touriga Nacional-wine, but quality not close to the one from Herdade do Perdigao.

[Brian C.]

According to wine-searcher.com, nobody carries anything by this producer in the USA. Now you have me curious about this producer, Rune. I know what you mean about Alentejo. I remember when I was passing through there a few years ago on a tour, I tried a red from the region and it was bone dry, and in stark contrast to the red that I really enjoyed in the Dao. I have sought out reds from the Alentejo, trying to figure out what I like and don't like. The region has a huge range of wines, and I don't feel as though I really have a complete grasp of what the region is about. Unfortunately the learning process is drawn out here, because there isn't a huge selection.

[Rune EG]

In my previous job I travelled a lot to Portugal (been there 35 times), and it gave me many opportunities to taste various table wines during meals. I think I have a certain overview of most regions in Portugal (except Algarve and the new table wine production on Madeira). For me Douro is a clear no.1, followed by Dao as a clear no. 2. After that the variations are huge (of course in relation to my personal taste).

Within Alentejo I have in general found that it is necessary to move up to Reserva or Grande Escolha in order to get a nice product. Alentejo wines are, with a few exceptions, less costly than Douro wines. Esporao Reserva is a very nice red wine where the quality is quite stable from year to year. Roquevale is an interesting producer, but forget their cheaper products, go for Tinto da Talha or Tinto da Talha Grande Escolha. In Alentejo they use a lot the the grape Aragonez, which is the same as Tinta Roriz in Douro and Tempranillo in Spain (I hope I am not mixing up the grape names now).

As for the Herdade do Perdigao, in Europe I can only locate them in Germany, Belgium and Netherlands. But you can get them in Canada, although being far away from your home!

[Andy Velebil]

The region has a huge range of wines, and I don't feel as though I really have a complete grasp of what the region is about. Unfortunately the learning process is drawn out here, because there isn't a huge selection.

Yes my problem as well. It seems in the States it's always the same few, mostly lower end, wines that are on the shelves. So finding new things to try can be problematic most of the time.

[Moses Botbol]

I am torn between Dao and Douro as being better. On the higher end wines, I would point to Douro, but for everyday consumption, I would side with Dao.

In my locale, Dao offers the best value for Portuguese wine. It’s the selection and aging ability that win me over. How often do $15 bottles of wine from the 90’s show up on the shelf that is still in their prime? The prices are cheaper in Boston than they are in Portugal for brands like Udaca.