This month are hosts were Julie and Jerry who presented a selection of wines from Portugal including some interesting fortified ones...
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Wine |
Description = stuff off the internet |
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Casa de Vila Verde 2017
Vinho Verde DO 11.5% Loureiro-based blend |
You won’t find a fresher tasting expression of this Portuguese classic white than this new release from Casa de Vila. The estate may be one of the oldest in the area (it has a medieval tower, so is that old!) and has always been owned by the Pinto de Mesquita family, but it’s also one of the most enterprising. The property lies nestled in the heart of the Sousa valley and has been making wine since the 17th century. One of the original producers of Vinho Verde, Casa de Vila remains a leading exponent of the style. Marrying tradition and state of the art techniques, this is a supremely fresh white with the gentle, natural spritz that hallmarks the best Vinho Verde. Enjoy with grilled seafood, sushi, tapas and dips, or simply on its own.
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Laithwaites |
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Lobo e Falcão Branco 2017
Vinho Regional Tejo 13% White blend |
In 2017 we won our third award for our Portuguese wines and it’s wines like this that keep our Buyer going back for more. It is from a grand estate dating back to the 17th century which once served as the King of Portugal’s falconry. Lobo e Falcão (Wolf and Falcon) is a tribute to winemaker José Lobo de Vasconcelos’ ancestors, who were its caretakers. It is a blend of native grapes Fernão Pires, Alvarinho and Muscat, which thrive in the property’s sandy soils and ripen to perfection under the Portuguese sun. You’ll love its aromas of juicy, ripe peach and orange blossom, followed by rich, bright flavours of stone fruit, spice and grapey freshness. Opulent and aromatic, this is a top pick solo or with chicken or a creamy vegetable risotto.
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Laithwaites |
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Planalto White Reserva 2017 Douro
13% White blend |
A blend of white grape varieties indigenous to the Douro area. At once traditional and modern, the wine is vinified very much in a contemporary style, with de-stalking and cold fermentation helping to preserve freshness of fruit and maximum aromatic impact. Dry and delicate, but possessing an interesting aromatic intensity and complexity, with overtones of blossom. The fruit is predominantly citrus, with soft pear and melon flavours completing the picture. Great with seafood or herbaceous pasta and rice dishes. |
Majestic |
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Aluado Alicante Bouschet 2017 Vinho Regional de Lisboa
13.5% 100% Alicante Bouschet |
They said he was ‘aluado’ (‘loony’) but the ever inventive José Neiva Correia has proved his doubters wrong. Alicante Bouschet produces some of the world’s deepest coloured wines and is often used to enhance Portugal’s top reds. Here you find it in its pure form thanks to José. A legend of Portuguese wine, he combines generations of tradition with an inquisitive spirit undimmed at 60+ years of age. Following on from last year’s triple Gold medal triumph, José again used grapes from his own historic estate, Quinta de Porto Franco, which dates back to the 12th century and is thought to have the oldest vineyard in Alenquer. Aluado 2017 is a rich, velvety red, great solo or served with roast meats (try lamb or pork) or a herby casserole |
Laithwaites |
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Porta 6 Reserva 2016
14% |
Porta 6 has become one of our most popular wines. Many people think it is impossible to improve on, but we like a challenge so we created Porta 6 Reserva - it has all the hallmarks of the original but is a bit richer, smoother and we think, even more delicious. Rich plum, savoury spice and velvety smooth finish, it has followed its predecessor superbly. Barbecued lamb or pork, or better still, handmade meatballs in smoked mozzarella. We originally intended to serve standard Porta 6 then we found this! |
Majestic |
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Madeira 1. Verdelho
2. Malmsey |
Verdelho was probably brought from northern continental Portugal during the early days of settlement on the island. Before the arrival of phylloxera Madeira in 1872 Verdelho represented approximately two thirds of the vineyards of Madeira. This variety requires deep soils with some degree of moisture. It has low yields per ha and early ripening. Grapes are normally picked by the end of September, and produce gold coloured medium dry elegant wines which have a tropical and exotic character.
Malmsey should not be viewed as a single variety (there are so many different grapes named Malvasia) but as style of wine. The majority of the Malvasia growing on Madeira is a grape known as Malvasia Branca de São Jorge, a white grape variety introduced as recently as the 1970s in the parish of Sao Jorge in the district of Santana, on the north side of the island at lower altitudes (150m – 200m). The bunches are large and conic, and usually show early budding and late ripening. It is the first to be harvested, having an early maturation. The grapes are sweet and produce rich full-bodied wines that are dark in colour. On the mouth, the bouquet reveals notes of spices and honey. It bears no relation to the prized Malvasia Candida, introduced to Madeira in the 15th century, of which there are now only 3 hectares growing on Madeira, exclusively on the south coast.
A young Malmsey Madeira is light golden in colour, whereas old Malmseys dark amber tonalities. Rich, smooth and luscious on the palate, showing complex notes of mocha, dried fruit and honey, hints of tropical fruit, butterscotch, toffee-nuts and marmalade.
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Blandy's Wine Lodge, Funchal
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