Another wonderful blind tasting. I still remember traditional bacony-leathery-horsey style of more than half of reds (even some still and sparkling whites) assessed 10 years ago. Nowadays the refusal rate is under 20% and some reds were absolutely stunning. Hail to the new board of CVR Bairrada and, most of all, to the producers & winemakers. But this upgrade has nothing to do with varieties, as some Pinot worshipers might wave. I love old vines from Baga and Bical. In fact the majority of the most rated wines in the People´s Wine Guide 2014 are terroir based.
What do u need to know: 7000 ha of vines, 50 producers, 10 million litres of certified IG Beira Atlântico & DO Bairrada wines. Main White Varieties: Fernão Pires (Maria Gomes), Bical, Arinto, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Cercial. Main Red Varieties: Baga (50%), Touriga Nacional, Merlot, Syrah e Aragonez (Tinta Roriz).
Visited & most knowledgeable wine restaurant: Rei dos Leitões (Suckling Pig´s King), Mealhada.
What a blind tasting! Only 2 out of 33 wines were refused. All the whites and rosés were in The People´s Wine Guide 2014. Beira Interior old vines and 700m altitude are the base of beautiful and fresh, fleshy inexpensive superior wines. For many decades, several majors, such as Sogrape or Aliança, have their bigger bulk suppliers amongst the coops of Beira Interior. The new drive is direct investment of big people, predicting future big things. True: since last year I was appointed chairman of Beira Interior regional wine challenge. But blind is blind. Do not be blind yourself: amazing discovery.
What do u need to know: continental terroir, 16000 ha of vines, 40 producers, 4 million litres of certified IG Terras da Beira & DO Beira Interior wines. Main white varieties: Síria, Fonte Cal, Arinto, Rabo de Ovelha. Main red varieties: Aragonez, Rufete, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Trincadeira.
Visited and most recommended wine restaurants: A Colmeia (surroundings of Guarda), Aquáriu’s (Guarda).
Amazing quality for the price level of Tras-os-Montes wines. Small and beauty newcoming projects and increasing coop quality, confirming Pendock’s tasting last year.
What do u need to know: Continental terroir, 18000ha of vine, 45 producers, 3 million litres of certified IG Transmontano & Do Trás-os-Montes. Main White Varieties: Côdega de Larinho, Gouveio, Síria.
Main Red Varieties: Trincadeira, Touriga Nacional, Aragonez, Tinta Gorda (on sub-region Planalto Mirandês), Bastardo. Very old vines of Alicante Bouschet.
#Daowinelover, an united force of portuguese wine bloggers, set a White Wine function with top Dão producers at Claro! Restaurant, near Lisboa. W- Anibal invited SA wine & food editor Samarie Smith. Good wines in informal conditions; good view with noisy environmental sound; wine lost the gold to refreshing pure still water. Reminds me Beckett’s quote: Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.
Oporto is the craddle of the wine trade, with a secular history. It focuses on the excellence of Port Wine, and it gives a great contribution, when properly communicated and presented, for the economy of the Mainland North of Portugal. Tourism is growing, the city boasts with initiatives promoting wine and at the same time the ignorance of restaurateurs is in fast decrease.
See more: http://w-anibal.com/media/pdf/05_3LiquidosW.pdf
Top#10:
| Cafeína | Rua do Padrão, 100 | 226108059 |
| Casa de Pasto da Palmeira | Rua do Passeio Alegre, 450 | 226168244 |
| Costume Bistro | Travessa dos Congregados, 17 | 222015015 |
| DOP | Largo São Domingos, 18 | 222014313 |
| La Ricotta | Rua de Passos Manuel, 18 | 222023300 |
| Mesa | Rua D. Domingos Pinho Brandão, 75, 4º | 220109929 |
| O Paparico | Rua de Costa Cabral, 2343 | 225400548 |
| Ode Porto Wine House | Largo do Terreiro, 7 | 913200010 |
| Pedro Lemos Clérigos | Rua das Carmelitas, 151 | 223400770 |
| Shis | Praia do Ourigo, Esplanada do Castelo | 226189593 |
