We kicked off this year with a fantastic wine tasting from James of Reymond Renolds, where we homed in on Portugal, exploring their unique, quality driven wines. We discovered and discussed six different region, all ranging in styles, with James giving us the inside scoop from his visits to the winery and meeting the winemakers, plus his expertise on every detail of the wines!
Casa Relvas Vidigueira Branco, Alentejo 2022
We started the evening with this delicious white from Alentejo, which is a region based in the south. Casa Relvas are a winery that are focused on producing wines that represent native portugese varieties and the trations of the region. This wine is a blend of Antão Vaz, Arinto, Perrum, plus a handful of other varities, which have been fermented in stainless steel vats to retain the pure fruit characteristics. This wine was interesting, as well as showing ripe fruit flavours there was fresh herbal notes of fennel and dill, which gave it a very unique profile!
Quinta do Soalheiro Alvarinho 2022
Quinta do Soalheiro are one of the leading producers in Vinho Verde and are lazer focused on producing top quality Alvarinho (also know as Albariño). Luis Cerdeira, whose grandfather founded the winery, is now the head winemaker and is passionate about producing terroir driven Alvarinhos. This wine is a blend of their 3 different plots and is a reflection of the style of Quinta do Soalheiro. The precision and dedication Luis Cerdeira and his family have to Alvarinho is shown clearly in this wine.
Quinta dos Roques Colheita, Dão 2019
Dão is one of the more underrated regions in Portugal but definately should be explored further! From the prestigious producer Quinta dos Roques, the Colheita is one of their classic wines with Touriga Nacional making up majority of the blend, plus a few other native varieties. This wine is the perfect way to discover the Dão region, with soft yet concentrated red berry notes, supported by a little spiciness from the oak.
Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas Tinto 2020
Made by famous winemaker Luis Pato, his old vines of Baga have been sought after by many for years, but knowing their quality he refuses to let go! This wine is a beautiful representation of the Bairrada region and its native variety Baga, which is commonly compared to varieties such as Nebbiolo and Xinomavro. This intriguing variety produces wines with high tannin and acidity, which structurally frame the notes of dried rose, dried cherries, rich plum and spice.
Conceito Vinhos, Bastardo 2020
Made by the rebellious passionate winemaker Rita Ferreira Marques . This wine really represents innovative and up & coming winemakers of Portugal with the incoperation of traditional potugese methods. Made from 100% Bastardo (also known as Trousseau) this wine is foot-trodden in granite lagares in whole bunches, with no yeast added. This is not your classic Douro red wine, showing purity and lightness in fruit, its captures ripe red cherry notes and forest fruits, accompanied by warm herbs and cinnamon.
Barbeito Rainwater Reserva Madeira, NV
Madeira is one of the forgotten, long lost sibling of Port and Sherry, and once reminded or introduced to customers, it is always the discovery of the evening! All Madeira comes from the volcanic island of Madeira to the west of Portugal and is a specific style of fortified wine. This wine is a blend of Tinta Negra (80%) and Verdelho (20%) and is aged for 5 years in French oak in what’s known as the Canteiro method. This is where the barrels are left to rest in warm warehouses, where the wine absorbs all the delicious oak flavours. Best to be enjoyed as an aperitif with salty nuts or alongside a charcuterie board.
We cannot thank James enough for taking us on a journey through these iconic wines of Portugal! Thank you to all who came.
