Vergisson

Vergisson

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Event Pick- 50 Great Portuguese Wines today in NY

Today's the day!  Event Pick-  50 Great Portuguese Wines today in NY

What will they be?  Sure to be some great 2012 Alvarinhos and 2011 Vintage Ports.  Hoping to be introduced to some new varieties and regions.  New producers are a guarantee.  Why would you miss it?

Find all the info at the links below.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/50-great-portuguese-wines-2013-selection-by-joshua-greene-trade-event-tickets-8961609415?utm_campaign=order_confirm&ref=eemailordconf&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eb_email&utm_term=eventname

http://winesofportugal.info/pagina.php?codNode=123304

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Two Great Portuguese Tastings In Virginia this weekend

Two Great Portuguese Tastings In Virginia this weekend.
http://thenativegrape.blogspot.com/p/events.html

I'll be at The Wine Cabinet in Reston from 1-5.  We are actually pouring the fantastic Barros 2011 Vintage Port (94 points Wine Spectator.)  Young?  Yes.  Too young??  You tell me. Come and try this highly rated and collectible port for yourself for free!  

Here is what Roger Voss of The Wine Enthusiast has to say about the 2011 vintage in Porto,

"Considered the best vintage in the last twenty years, these small production Ports are must buys.

Quantities of these great wines are smaller than ever. The Symington group made less than 20,000 cases across seven brands. In short, this means that if you’re a Port lover, you should buy the 2011s as soon as they’re distributed."



Then head on over to Wine Styles in Montclair where Sommelier Connor Smith will host the encore "Wines of Portugal" tasting event from 5-9.  (You can pop in for a great Greek dinner next door at Giorgio's while your at it.  Chef Mike is famous for his specials!)

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Scooped!!! (by 10 years)

So when I started my Vinho Verde page a while back, the plan was to compile tasting notes on Vinho Verdes as well as Spanish AlbariƱos and blends from Rias Baixas, with the goal of comparing and contrasting the two.  Then I got pregnant with my daughter Eliza, and the whole thing got put on hold.

With a New Year's resolve, I decided to take up my project again and typed Alvarinho/AlbariƱo into that great kick-starter in the sky, google and ...what?!!  Scooped!  One little 18 month delay and...wait, this was published in 2003! 

I quickly got over it, because here is a wonderful in depth article from Wine and Spirits by Ray Isle,  currently Executive Wine Editor for Food and Wine magazine (who will have to now be pardoned for that uncomfortably self-aware and unwatchable wine show "Vine Talk" with Stanley Tucci.)  He takes you directly to the regions and producers with lots of detail, humor and an expert's perspective.

 http://www.wineandspiritsmagazine.com/pages/Features/0803_AlbaAlvarino.pdf

Now we need his take on things in the region in 2014!

Links to current info!

http://www.riasbaixaswines.com/

Monday, January 6, 2014

Great Portuguese Dessert wine recommendation from Susannah Gold

Ahhh January, month of cold, snow and Post-Holiday belt tightening.  How about a fantastic value dessert wine from Portugal to warm the soul and sooth the wallet?  Both Portugal and Spain are full of little Moscatels and vin doux naturel style dessert wines.    One such in Portugal is Abafado, the most shining example of which is arguably the Quinta da Alorna Abafado.  I have stunned and delighted savvy buyers with this little gem for years.  Learn all about it here on Susannah Gold's Sweet Sundays feature of her Avvinnare Blog. 

http://avvinare.com/2014/01/05/sweet-sundays-abafado-from-quinta-da-alorna-tejo-portugal/

Drink like the pros and save yourself a buck or two in the process.