Wines of Portugal tasting.

Late last week I attended a wine tasting put on by the G7 Group. A very innovative project from a consortium of wine companies including Alianca, Bacalhoa and Jose Maria da Fonseca. I was unable to taste many of the wines offered as I was taking some medications but I will be posting my thoughts later today. Top wine for me was the `06 Quinta da Terrugem from Alentejo, a blend of Alicante Bouschet, Aragonez, Trincadeira Preta.
Doing a google on the G7 event, I found this link which is very well put together by a blogger in BC who attendeed the same event in Vancouver.

http://mywinepal.wordpress.com/2010/10/ ... ng-part-1/

http://mywinepal.wordpress.com/2010/10/ ... 93-part-2/

`09 Quinta da Aveleda Vinho Verde was crisp refreshing with melon and citrus. This white is always a good choice eh.
`09 Follies Alvarinho from same winery as above did not do it for me over-cropped for sure. Avoid.
`09 JP Azeitao, Peninsula de Setabal is QPR for sure at $15 Cdn. Dryish, lemon, apple, good bite on the finish. Go buy!
`09 Serras de Azeitao had a shorter finish, no Moscatel here. Pity.

This one was different forumites at 0.5% alc. Lancers-Free White from JM Fonseca. Yup only .5%!! Soft, good acidity, some spritz, perfect to fool people at the patio party.
`09 Periquita White, P de Setubal, another wine with Moscatel. Delicious, had an almost tannic grip. Dryish, apple, spice. QPR!

Although there were many reds on show, I had to restrict myself as I was on medication. I thought the `06 Terrugem the star of the show but also liked the `07 Quinta dos Quatro Ventos, Douro. Pepper, herbs on nose. Tobacco, cherries, quite tannic. Good long finish here and one for the cellar.
A `08 Periquita Superyor was also tasted. New to Alberta, 92% Castelao with some CS and Tinta Francisca. Should sell for around $40 says winemaker. Big red, needs time.

I also tasted a couple of pinkies but no notes alas.

A few comments:

The Aveleda vinho verde labeled "Quinta da Aveleda" in the clear, Bordeaux shaped bottle is usually the one to get, IMO - this comes from the estate grapes at the Quinta. They make a wide range, but are most famous for the ubiquitous Castel Garcia line. Never had their Follies Alvarinho, but that grape isn't really their specialty - they are based to the south of the Minho, not where the designated Alvarinho regions are (so the grapes are brought in).

It has been said that Alicante Bouchet might be one of the grapes that really shines in the Alentejo. Do you have any idea of the percentage used in the Terrugem? I've had a few inexpensive Alentejo Alicantes (e.g. Mouras de Arraiolos) that make me curious to try some of the expensive heavy hitters, like Mouchao Tonel 3-4.

Some of the Castelao (aka Periquita) based reds from Pamela or Setubal are pretty distinctive. I'm a fan of Ermelinda Freitas' basic red Pamela - a nice rich, berried wine (Zin lovers might appreciate) for under $10. And the fortified Muscatel de Setubal from Bacalhoa is a delightful desert wine - you need to wonder how they do it for the price (again, around $10).

Most of those wines you list are fairly commercial products, made by fairly large concerns. But I do like how these producers still stick mostly to the indigenous Portuguese grape varieties.

Joe, I have to agree with your last point..........Most of those wines you list are fairly commercial products, made by fairly large concerns. But I do like how these producers still stick mostly to the indigenous Portuguese grape varieties.
I attended the trade showing in the afternoon but there was going to be a tasting and dinner in the evening. I think the G7 is trying to get the word about about Portugal and its wines so all power to them. As we know on this forum, the wines from this area are hard to find and there is not enough knowledge to go round!

Now that we are in November, and with the festive season coming up soon, I think it might be a good idea to do an Open Mike on Portugal. Then we can discuss port, white and red wines, plus of course some of the sparklers out there. The Vinho Verde thread six weeks ago drew a lot of interest so might be interesting to further test the vinious waters eh.