Re: Back from Portugal with a belly full of wine

Mats Lindelow — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:38:40 -0000

Hello,

I am glad that you highlight Portugal. I am Swedish, but lived 3,5 years in Portugal and lived the same revelation that you mention. Wines are great, with lots of personality and regional character. Food is also quite good, if you like rustic and traditional food. Cheeses are fantastic, and whoever heard of a Portuguese cheese...

I suggest to follow Ryan's suggestion and discover Portugal before the rest of the world does. We travel back every year to visit friends and enjoy food, wine and landscape. My personal favourites are: The Douro river valley, The Alentejo plain and the cities of Sintra, Lisbon, Porto and Coimbra.

Enjoy!

Mats L

Re: Back from Portugal with a belly full of wine

Mats Lindelow — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 18:02:50 -0000

Hi,

It really depends what you like. For reds, Esporão, Bacalhôa, JM Fonseca are good across their range from budget to premium wines. Many smaller producers in the Douro valley make spectacular wine, like Niepoort, Quinta de Vale Meão, Quinta do Vallado to mention a few. Their top wines are made in small quantities and fetch high prices, not least in Portugal. Those wines are less expensive in my native Sweden than in Portugal. A good choice is to go for their second wines like Meandro (of Q.de V. Meão) or Vallado. They are priced at 8-10 Euros and are quite good.

For whites I really like the Alvarinho of Vinho Verde. Try brands like Soalheiro, Deu la Deu, Muros de Melgaco, Muros Antigos. Niepoort's Redoma is very good as is Esporão's reserve white.

Don't miss the good ports. I prefer the tawny ports at 10-20 years of age or the late bottled vintages (LBV's), which are often good value. Try makers like Niepoort, Dow's, Fonseca, Pocas and Taylor's.

I hope that this was what you were looking for.

Regards,

Mats

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Re: Back from Portugal with a belly full of wine

Re: Back from Portugal with a belly full of wine