Category Archives: portugal

Carmim Reguengos Tinto 2012

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regtinto

A good value for the table, the spicy core and dry finish make it a pleasant companion for a wide variety of everyday dishes.

Winery: Carmim [Agricultural Cooperative of Reguengos de Monsaraz] is a cooperative winery that was founded in 1971 by a group of 60 wine growers. Today the cooperative has expanded to 1000 members producing 7 brands and 24 wines, making it the largest winery in the Alentejo region and also one of the biggest in Portugal. The estate focuses on the human side, stressing “human enhancement, of the growing well-being and the improvement in the living conditions of members”.

Winemaking: Named after the hilltop town of Reguengos, grapes were sourced from vineyards with volcanic soils of quartz and schist.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with aromas of brambly berries and crushed black peppercorn. Straightforward and robust, a pepper spice core is accented by cherry, tobacco and earth notes in the medium body. Smooth, subtle tannins and spice elements comprise the wonderfully dry finish.

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tinta Caiada, Moreto, Alicante Bouschet, Castelão, Trincadeira, Aragonês
Alentejo
Portugal
Estate Bottled
14% Alcohol
$10
Enjoy now

Rated 90 points by Wine Enthusiast
Ranked #20 in the’ Top 100 Best Buys of 2013′ by Wine Enthusiast

 

Vilacetinho Vinho Verde

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vvv

Fresh and perky with a modest alcohol content, this is a good value and fantastic addition to brunch and light dishes.

Estate: Casa de Vilacetinho is located in Alpendurada, in the Vinho Verde region of northwest Portugal. The estate consists of 30 hectares of vineyards with granite soils that overlook the River Douro.

Wine making: The winery is “state of the art”, yet many traditional methods are used to insure the wine is a natural reflection of their unique terrior.

Tasting Notes: Pale gold in colour with aromas of red apples and minerals. Subtle apple, pineapple and ginger notes wrapped around a delicate mineral core, backed by a slight effervescence, good acidity, and pleasantly dry finish.
*I could not find either vintage year or ‘non vintage’ on the label, it appears from their website it may be 2012, but I’m not confident to enough to include it.

Blend of Avesso, Arinto, Aza, Loureiro
Vinho Verde
Portugal
Bottled by Soc. Agr. Casa de Vilacetinho, SA
10% Alcohol
$7
Enjoy now

Symington Altano Douro DOC 2011

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altano

Confident and bold, this red blend is from the largest family estate in Portugal and craves to be paired with hearty dishes.

Estate: The Symington family has been involved with winemaking in the Douro Valley of Portugal since 1882, and through their great grandmother, can trace their winemaking back 14 generations to the mid 17th century. Today the family is the largest vineyard owner in the Douro Valley, with multiple vineyards extending across 947 hectares. They are recognised for being at the forefront of Douro winemaking and renowned for their “outstanding ports”.

Winemaking: With their vast holdings of land, the family places great importance on preserving the environment. All vineyards are farmed both organically and sustainably, and with their conservation efforts they have seen considerable results such as the return of indigenous animals and plants. Altano was crafted to be “ideal for everyday, informal drinking at home with family or with friends, a great wine to relax and unwind with”. Vinified in stainless steel.

Tasting Notes: Dark garnet in colour with aromas of cherry, fresh herbs and hints of balsamic. Concentrated black cherry and plum flavours were contrasted by vegetal tomato leaf notes in the full body, whilst black peppercorn, lingering cherry and traces of tarry earth comprised the moderate finish.

A blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca [the “proportions of each vary from year to year”]
Douro
Portugal
Bottled by Symington Family Estates
13.5% Alcohol
$9
Enjoy now thru 2015

Rated 91 points by Wine Spectator

Vera Vinho Verde 2013

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veravinho

Simple with a jaunty bend of fizz and acidity, this is a good companion with light dishes.

Winemaking: Vera Vinho Verde is the creation of winemakers Rui Abecassis and Bruce Schneider. The wine is produced at Casa do Valle by Luis Duarte, one of Portugal’s “preeminent vignerons”. Grapes were sourced from vines located at an elevation of 1050 feet in sandy loam, granite and schist soils from select blocks of Casa do Valle’s main estate vineyard.

Tasting Notes: Gold in colour with aromas of apple and grapefruit. Apple and lemon notes along with a brazing acidity zipped through the slightly fizzy body, whilst minerals and grassy nuances comprised the clean finish.

60% Arinto, 30% Azal, 10% Loureiro
Vinho Verde
Portugal
Estate Bottled by Engarrafado Na Quinta
11% Alcohol
$8
Enjoy now

Este Vinho Verde Red 2011

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Snapseed

I picked up Este Vinho Verde Red 2011 since I had enjoyed the Rosé a few months back, and at only $4 [!], on the off chance it was terribly undrinkable, I wouldn’t be that upset. I ended up being surprised with its intensity, and loved the opportunity to taste something a little off the beaten path.

Adega Cooperativa de Ponte Da Barca was founded in 1963 and is located in the valleys of the Lima and Vez Rivers. It consists of 1100 associates and about 849 hectares. The cooperative has been awarded many honors for their commitment to quality and customer satisfaction.

Inky red-violet in colour with potent aromas of barnyard funk, artichoke and flinty minerals. Intense balsamic notes were brightened by vegetal tomato leaf elements in the slightly fizzy body, whilst prune and steely minerals comprised the compact finish. Concentrated and robust, this is a dense glass [even with only 10% alcohol] that needs to accompany a hearty meal.
Serve chilled.

I could not verify varietal percentage
Vinho Verde
Portugal
Bottled by Adega Cooperative de Ponte Da Barca C.R.L.
10% Alcohol
$4
Enjoy now