Interesting Take on what it means to "Make the List" from Catavino

Here's an interesting take on what it means to "Make the List" from Ryan Opaz of Catavino.   "The List" in this case is the Wine Spectator Top 100 which featured a total of three Portuguese wines in their Top 10 and named the Dow Vintage Port 2011 their "Wine of the Year."  I especially like his thoughts on the importance of brand building vs."cashing in" on the points.  They will only take you so far.

http://catavino.net/portuguese-wines-top-100-2014/#comments

My own experience of this is the same-the exasperating nature of the treasure hunters needing exactly those wines on the list this year.   Forget the fact that the Wine Spectator flat out states that they are making a statement about the strength of the 2011 vintage in the Douro.   Have a great score?  Happen to be from the same incredible vintage in the Douro and have been on this list multiple times in the past-maybe even in the Top 10 last year(and have the same winemaker??)  No thanks...it can be exasperating.

Mr. Opaz only loses me when he starts Opining about the wines you will only appreciate or have access to if like him you live in Portugal, like Barca Velha.  I would point out that Barca Velha did make a list-  The Top 100 Cellar selections of 2014 from Wine Enthusiast placed the 2004 in their Top 10.  And they also include lots of appellations and varieties not so well known in the wine scene of the US if you don't happen to live in NY or CA.  The Enthusiast list boasts a varietal Touriga Nacional from the Dão, a Beiras from Baga master Luis Pato, and a 2009 red from the Setubal Peninsula.   This confirms something I have said before, Wine Enthusiast might not yet have the rubber stamp approval power of the Wine Spectator Top 100, but when it comes to Portugal they are in my opinion leading the US pack.

There are also plenty of 2011 Ports and Douro reds from the 2011 vintage on the Wine Enthusiast list and the Quinta do Vale Meao 2011 made both lists.   Maybe this year, you could take a regional or vintage themed suggestion from your own favorite retailer in addition to what you can get your hands on from "the list?"   Or maybe this is the year retailers finally get the message about the strength of Portuguese wines and.don't wait for these wines to "make the list" to have them in their shops and on their short list of best recommendations.  And if one or two of their recommendations happen to make next year's list, they might have some on hand to sell to you without jumping through hoops or missing the boat.  And lets be honest, what "I told you so" is more gratifying than the validation/vindication of the Wine Spectator Top 100 ?

 

Meet Winemaker David Baverstock of Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas Tonight

Meet Winemaker David Baverstock of Esporão, Quinta dos Murcas Tonight at The Vienna Vintner!

 

Friday October 17

 5-7:30 Free

http://viennavintner.com/
233 Maple Avenue East
Vienna, Virginia 22180 info@viennavintner.com

Phone: 703.242.9463

3 Wines from Portugal make the Top 10-Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys 2014

No less than 3 Wines from Portugal are in the top 10 of the Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys of 2014, with a Vinho Verde claiming the top spot.  There are 9 wines in total from Portugal-edging them into third place ahead of Spain and Italy and just behind the US and France in terms of total representation on the list.

And what's more-most of these vintages represent current market offerings.  Why are you sitting here?  Go by some of these wines!


http://www.winemag.com/November-2014/Top-100-Best-Buys-2014/

Here are two that we have the great pleasure of representing in the Washington DC area.  I almost always agree with Roger Voss, one of our top American voices and authorities on Portuguese wines.  I am thrilled that such a long aging potential is being attached to these "value wines" but I think they are approachable now if you'll just give them a little air and a lovely filet!  I guarantee if you act now you can still find them!

#4

94   

Quinta dos Murcas Assobio (Douro) 2011

"Assobio is from a single vineyard in the Quinta dos Murcas estate.  A powerful, structured expression of Douro Wine, it has black fruits, dark tannins, some subtle layers of wood aging and great concentration.   Dark and richly fruity it needs to mature before drinking.  Wait until 2017." R.V.

#8

90 

DFJ Vinhos Portada Winemaker's Selection 2011, Lisboa

 

"A dark colored, dense wine that is rich and firmly structured.  Aged in wood, it holds notes of plum and berry fruits balanced with a fresh acidity.   This is a wine for aging.  It's structure a powerful statement.  Drink from 2014" R.V.

Vicarious living for today

Now here is an experience many of us are not likely to get.  My favorite Portuguese wine blogger/Critic, Sarah Ahmed has a fascinating entry in her Newsletter this month of library release gems from Bairrada and Dao-Wow!

http://thewinedetective.co.uk/blog/portugal/portugals-million-bottle-secret-cellar-opens-doors

So Much to Write About, No Time to Write

Excuses, excuses.

This will be a bit of a summation of summer events and wines that are captivating our palates these days.  I have been meaning to share a little something about an excellent Master Class I attended at Jay Youmans' Capital Wine School.  http://capitalwineschool.com/  It was a touring class sponsored by the Vinhos do Alentejo http://www.vinhosdoalentejo.pt/index.php presented by Rui Falcão(the wine critic not the Brazilian politician.)  Mr. Falcão who writes for Revista dos Vinhos (the Portuguese equivalent to the Wine Spectator) was a thoroughly engaging speaker and educator.   It's so rare to find an individual who is armed with both extensive knowledge of their material and an ability to really teach and deepen their students understanding of the subject.    

Here are some of my favorite takeaways.  They stressed the huge popularity of Alentejo wines in Portugal and the diversity of their native grape varieties (Duh!) and sub-regions.  In addition to the sunny central plains that we associate with the Alentejo, there is a region cool enough to make sparkling wines and one of high elevation terraced old vines in the north east.   Paid homage to the ongoing tradition of Vinho de Talhas, the traditional wine made to this day in clay Amphora, and

delved into the regions long and interrupted wine making history.  Politics and religion really do mess up absolutely everything.  When will we learn?    The wines have plenty of fruit but plenty of acidity as well.   I think because they tend to be fruity or fruit forward, it is easy to write them off as simple.  They are not.  An important distinction Mr. Falcão made, they are not always "begging for food" but they are without doubt food wines.  You will miss the magic of these wines if you do not serve them at the table.

Nary a restaurant list in Lisbon will be found without a healthy offering of blends based around Aragonez(Aragonês,) the Alentejo version of Spain's Tempranillo, aka Tinta Roriz in the Douro and the northern appellations.  You don't hear much talk of clones, but Aragonez in my experience has a very different character from Tinta Roriz, or Tempranillo or Tinta de Toro, and maybe this is just terroir?    I often perceive a note of red licorice or sundried tomato (which could well be the Trincadeira commonly in the blend and not the Aragonez at all.)  I would not be surprised, however, to find a relationship similar to Sangiovese and Morrelino de Scansano or Sangiovese Grosso.  

We are starting to see a better representation of Alentejo wines on US shelves.    Four of the participants in the class were from Total Wine.  It would surprise many independent retailers who pride themselves on being at the forefront of trends and emerging regions to know that they have been outdone with respect to Portugal by Total wine for years.   Unfortunately for the rest of us, many of their brands are "Total" brands and any waves of market penetration they generate do not reach beyond their shores/shelves.

Another large and emerging power player in the Northeastern US wine market, Wegmans Supermarket chain, has recently plugged into the Alentejo region as well, highlighting key bottles in their "Highly Rated" promotions.    This is a huge development.  The grocery cart, after all is the entryway to the American psyche. 

http://www.centerclub.org/
In other news, I had a wonderful time co-hosting the "Culinary Tour of Portugal" dinner with Al Spoler    this month at Baltimore's Center Club, complete with 16th floor panoramic views of Baltimore's Inner Harbor.    Executive Chef Robert Bannan's dishes were exquisite and the wines paired beautifully.    General Manager Kevin Bonner and his warm and polished staff ensured the event went off without a hitch.  Truly a great evening and a great group of people.

And why just try a new variety when you can try the world's oldest variety...or the wine that Odysseus used to liquor up the Cyclops??

More and more reasons to love our Greek wines.  I had a great time pouring Northern Greek wines at Vinosity in Culpeper last weekend.    For more tasting opportunities in your neck of the woods, don't forget to check out the Dionysos Imports Facebook page.

Cheers!

Amy

My New favorite wine!

The legendary Eugenio Almeida winery in the Alentejo, famous for the nearly unobtainable cult wine Pera Manca, also crafts this ultra classy little table wine that can be had for a song.  EA Tinto is a tank fermented blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet and Syrah.

Fresh, lively and literally stuffed with warm, velvety fruit, the EA Tinto is a first class introduction to the Alentejo that will go with everything imaginable.  Fisherman's stew, Porca Preta, game and young cheeses.

Everyone had something different to offer up for their impressions of the 100% organically grown Limnio from Domaine Vourvoukeli in Thrace.    The antique variety Limnio can make a case for itself as the oldest known variety referred to in Ancient literature.  They just can't quite trace the DNA yet to verify that what we call Limnio today is indeed the Limnio of Odysseus.  From Bobal, to southern California Pinot to old vine Zinfandel, this bottle kept tasters on their toes and reminded us that when you taste a new variety, it will ultimately just taste like itself, regardless of our great desire to put it in a recognizable box.  With a slightly oxidized nose of dried fruit and nuts, the palate had plenty of fresh red fruit as well and a more angular, acid driven frame than the nose suggested.  Intriguing to say the least, this one is begging for food-sliced duck breast on wild greens with walnuts and candied cherries maybe, or as someone suggested your favorite eggplant dish, Moussaka?  Go forth, and fell your Cyclops.

Greek Tasting in Alexandria Today 3-6

Please join me today at Altura Wine and Gourmet in Alexandria, VA

We have a great line-up of Greek wines to sample including a delicious and deliciously affordable Vegan red great for BBQ and for the hearty and the curious, an authentic Retsina- great with Mediterranean dishes and according to the winery, Sushi?!

Free

3-6 PM

Altura Wine

                                               108 N.  Patrick St.

Alexandria, VA 22314

Phone (703) 683-2421

Fax (703) 683-2425

esalin@alturawinegourmet.com

Greek Class (you missed it) and a SECOND CHANCE at the favorite of the night.

A great night at the sold out Greek Class at the Wine Cabinet in Reston June 17.  Ioannis G. Tsapos (Yani), owner/founder of Dionysos Imports, shared his wealth of knowledge, humor and stories from his 24 years as the Washington DC area's top importer of Greek wines.

Greek Class at the Wine Cabinet

If you have not discovered Greek wines, there is no better way to learn/experience these wines than getting to "ride along" with an expert.   I encourage you to go to the Dionysos Imports Facebook page to learn where Yannis will be next!  

In the meantime, you can come to the Wine Cabinet this Friday night to try the organic/vegan red that was the favorite wine of Greek Class, as well as some great summer pours from Greece, Portugal, and France.   ALL WINES 10% OFF DURING THE TASTING-15% off ON A SOLID CASE


The Wine Cabinet

http://www.thewinecabinet.com/ Friday, June 27, 2014

5-8PM Free

Santola NV Vinho Verdhe, Minho
Varieties:Loureiro, Avesso, Perderna
The uniquely spritzy and refreshing white wine of Portugal's Green coast, Santola Vinho Verde is the perfect warm weather white.  Zesty, mouthwatering lemon/lime citrus and green apple flavors will quench your thirst and beg another glass(Don't worry, it has a low 9% ABV!)   Enjoy all by itself on the patio or proudly serve at your next Crab feast...this works wonderfully with Old Bay Spice!

Domaine Du Dragon Rose "Grande Cuvee" Côtes de Provence 2013

Grenache 68%-Cabernet 15%-Cinsault 8%-Rolle 6.5%-Mourvedre 2.5%  

If you needed Brangelina to clue you in to the delights of rose from Provence you will be paying a premium for your pink buzz this year.  If on the other hand, you're in the know, you can enjoy wines like this one from the gorgeous Domaine du Dragon for half the price!  Snap it up while supplies last.  This will sell out!!!

Pale Salmon with copper highlights.  The nose is intense with red fruit and strawberries.  Elegant palate with some chalk and savoury notes (herbes de provence/ramps)  The ultimate spring and sumer food wine;  Grilled White meats, Pasta, salad, pate and fine meats and cheeses.  

Esporao Verdelho 2012

One of the 50 Great Portuguese Wines of 2013

This vibrant Verdelho should appeal to fans of both Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.  On the palate, it is fresh and full of delicate mineral notes, with a long and persistent finish.   Passion fruit and nectarine round out the mid palate.

SANT'OR 12 ST GEORGE RED VEGAN 

From a tiny dedicated organic winery in Peloponnese, this little Saint George is full of flavor and character with soft and spicy plum fruit, pipe tobacco and cedar.

"The main thing to create good wine is the quality grapes.  Our vineyards have low yields, they are situated in high altitude clay/schist soils.
For the transportation of the grapes we have special frames and the vines are around the winery, from the moment you cut the bunch (traditional harvesting of many people with songs) from the vine until the Vinification does not pass more than half an hour."

Quinta de Cabriz Rerserva Dão 2009
Roger Voss of the Wine Enthusiast, one of the top authorities on Portuguese wines in the US, just awarded this wine 91 Points in June!

Castas: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro, Tinta Roriz
Like Barbaresco to Barolo, the Dão is the Douro's more elegant and refined counterpart.  

Touriga Nacional and Tinta Roriz are still the stars of the show, but grown on these 
granite hills in a more continental climate-they reveal a more feminine expression.  
Local variety Alfrocheiro lends some earthiness and spice.  

Delicious now, these wines age remarkably well.

91 points Wine Enthusiast

"This complex, mature wine has plenty of red fruit flavors, but its main character displays concentrated, tannin and spice. Hints of leather and rich acidity add their notes to this dense, dusty wine. It is ready to drink although it will still mature until 2020.  — R.V"