Food & Drink in the Algarve, Portugal

what to drink during your stay in the Algarve

The Wines of Portugal 

What the UK retailers are currently doing with our wines

Bom Dia

This month we are going to tour the ranges offered by some of the U.K.'s major retailers to see what they are currently doing with Portugal and its wines.  Firstly to Tesco who are listing, among others, the Tagus Creek range.

They quote that the `introduction of cutting edge winemaking methods and huge investment means that Portuguese wines are now finally (and quite rightly!) getting the attention they deserve'; something I think I have been `banging on' about for some time.  At Tagus Creek well-known international grape varieties have been blended with the unique native Portuguese varieties to create some very good wines, under the expert guidance of Sam Harrop, a New Zealand Master of Wine. According to Tesco, this is new generation Portuguese wine at its best. The range consists of Tagus Creek Rosé 2006, a blend of Shiraz and Touriga Nacional and Tagus Creek Shiraz Trincadeira 2006; Trincadeira has a very fresh soft cherry and strawberry character and when combined with the bigger, spicier Shiraz the result is a wonderfully drinkable red - delicious with or without food.  There is also the Tagus Creek Chardonnay/Fernao Pires 2006, with a lovely soft aroma of tropical fruit - the peachy, peppery flavours from the Fernao Pires grape combine beautifully with the rich softness of the Chardonnay to produce a gloriously refreshing wine.

The Tesco range also includes a couple of further examples of the Douro's (and therefore Port's) great indigenous variety Touriga Nacional - one of which is the 2003 Porca De Murca Reserva from a winemaker that I don't actually know, Jerry Luper.  In addition, there is also a listing here now for the new Pink Elephant Rosé, which is produced by the great Portuguese winemaker, José Neiva.  This is a wine that we are hoping to work closely with in our future programmes, as it is definitely going to get people talking about Portugal.  Great with spicy food, I'm told and I am looking forward to trying that combination when time allows!

Finally there's an old favourite of mine and a wine that I have mentioned many times previously - Ramada Tinto; current vintage 2004; simple and simply great value.

Next, off to that long-time great supporter of Portugal, Waitrose.  The red wine range alone here consists of no less than 12 wines, so I'll just take a look at a few of these for now.  There's the classic Duque de Viseu Dao, another great favourite of mine from the Sogrape stable.  Showing the `newer' side to the country,  and at the upper end of the market is the Cortes de Cima Syrah from the Alentejo region.  This winery also has distribution in the UK through Adnams in Suffolk.  At the opposite end of the price scale is Terra de Lobos, Ribatejo 2005, a very drinkable blend of Castelao & Cabernet Sauvignon.  Finally, I have to mention the Chryseia from Bruno Prats & the Symington family - Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cao blend but check out the price, definitely a special occasion wine.

The white range is just three wines strong, and I want to mention Quinta de Covela Escolha 2005 from the Minho, way up north; a unusual and fascinating blend of the local (and Vinho Verde) variety, Avesso with Chardonnay & Gewurztraminer!

Now a bit of a brickbat for that giant, J Sainsbury, whose range from Portugal really disappoints me! The only wine that I could really pick out is the Quinta das Setencostas 2005, Alenquer - a `gutsy red with dark berry and rich spice characters'.

By the way, you will have realised that on this occasion, I am concentrating on `still' wines. I thought that I would save the fortified wine ranges for another occasion and I simply haven't come across any sparkling wine examples. Also another, future article will look at the Portuguese wine ranges offered by the specialist and independent merchants.

I also have to investigate the Somerfield Portuguese wine by the name of Fado. Presumably this is to be drunk while watching the `theatre' of the same name!

Please do let me know if you try any of the above, and of course what you think. Also, have you found something else?

Until next month, when hopefully we'll be announcing some dates for you to come along to consumer shows around the country and taste Portuguese wines with us.  Also as I am off to Porto in a couple of days time, I will update you on news from the region.

Martin
Wine Educators International

www.wine-educators.com

A reminder of forthcoming events featuring Portugal:

7^th to 9^th and 23^rd to 25^th November - Taste Portuguese wines at our Residential Wine & Food Courses at Denman College, Abingdon, Oxfordshire.

If you would like to know more about Portuguese Food and Drink, why don't you dip into our Restaurants in the Algarve section and our series of articles on Portuguese Wines and Ports.  We also feature some Traditional Portuguese Recipes and a glossary of useful Portuguese food & drink words and phrases

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