For The Love Of Port

Here’s why Douro wines are attractive, aside from their increasing quality-for-the-price: They are blends of various grapes rather than single-variety wines. Blending gives greater complexity and variety. The main grapes in Douro reds are Tinta Roriz (tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, Touriga Franca and Touriga Nacional, with minor grapes such as Sousao occasionally playing supporting roles. The melange varies from wine to wine, depending on the winery and often on the winery’s need for grapes for port. That makes exploring these wines all the more interesting, and delicious.

Another reason to be excited now: The region has experienced a string of good vintages. For some reason, the Douro seems to do better in odd-numbered years; 2007 was terrific, and most of the wines now on the market are from the excellent 2009 vintage. Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto said the recently completed 2011 vintage “may be the best vintage ever for table wines” in the Douro. Then he added, “Of course, we’re only talking since 1994.”

Ray Barnes wrote: I can't say I've ever overpaid for anything from Portugal, except perhaps Mateus.