Portugal is a country of beautiful coastlines, rich history, and friendly locals. And it seems that everyone is angling to retire there. But did you know that Portugal consumes the most wine per capita of any country, at an average of 61.1 liters per person of wine each year? This is far above the next highest consuming country of Italy at 42.7 liters or the United States at a paltry 11.8 liters. With such an established wine culture it makes sense that the wines from Portugal showcase not only variety but quality. From light whites to rich reds and concentrated fortified wines, Portugal has it all.
Vinho Verde (pronounced vino-VAIRD) is a wine region in the northwest of the country as well as the name of its most famous white wine. Also known as “green wine,” Vinho Verde is the perfect patio wine. Light, zesty and often with a hint of spritz, grapes grown in this rainy, cool region express notes of green apple and key lime. We’ve been pouring Quinta das Arcas “Arca Nova” Vinho Verde ($18) for the past three months at the shop and it’s been a crowd favorite due to it’s low (10.5%) alcohol and fresh, bright style.
If you’ve heard of Portuguese wines, you likely know of Port, Portugal’s famous fortified wine. Grapes for this wine are grown in the warm and dry Douro river valley leading to rich, concentrated fruit. While port is delicious, red table wines from the Douro can also be delicious. Mary Taylor Wine’s Quinta da Foz “Douro” selection ($24) is richly fruited with notes of stewed black cherry, blackberry and dried thyme and sage. This blend of traditional port varieties is a great alternative to classic wines from varieties such as Malbec and Syrah.
Love fortified wines but looking for something different than Port? Madeira wines are the way to go! Crafted on the Island of Madeira, Portugal, these wines vary from dry to sweet but all share the same mouthwatering acidity that keeps them lively. Sercial and Verdelho styles are typically dry while Bual and Malmsey versions are sweet. These wines carry a rich history in the United States when they were the most prestigious wines in the 18th and 19th centuries. Rare Wine Company’s Bual Madeira ($59) is one of my favorites to pair with nut-based desserts such as pecan pie. What makes Madeira so special is that the wine is deliberately heated and exposed to oxygen giving it a concentrated and nutty character. It also can be left open for months so you can enjoy a little at a time since the wine is already oxidized and thus, relatively immune the deleterious effects of oxygen.
Portugal grows a vast array of wines in styles ranging from light and zesty whites to rich and full-bodied fortified wines. But even better, Portuguese wines are great values with their quality often exceeding their bottle price. So, if you’re looking to visit Portugal or just want to take a virtual trip, there’s no better way to start than enjoying a glass of Portuguese wine. Saúde!
Dining and Cooking