Well I heard a rumor that Portugal is the new big wine maker to hit the US since Argentina did a few years ago...That maybe true, so tonight I went to Total Wine and picked up a bottle of wine from Portugal. Maybe it will be the biggest bestest secret ever, but the wine I had tonight was fantastic. According to Total Wine, this wine is one of the 20 best wines of 2013 and has won several wine spectator awards. The cost is $24.99 at Total Wine in Virginia.
Meandro Do Val Meao 2010
The grape varietals include:
45% Touriga Nacional, 30% Touriga Franca, 13% Tinta Roriz, 5% Sousão, 4% Tinta Barroca, and 3% Tinto Cão. This is a Portugese red blend.
Ok - so this maybe in Portugese - LOL I searched a bit and didn't find any translations, so as I write, maybe more will come available.
The region this is produced in Portugal is called Douro and this estate was started in 1877. Meandro is the 'second' wine from this estate, and represents something of a bargain in my opinion. After being crushed, the grapes were cooled down and trodden by foot during four hours in granite lagares and then transferred to small refrigerated stainless steel vinifying vats. Each grape variety is vinified separately. This wine was matured in second and third year French Allier oak barriques.
One of the most appealing facets about Portugal's native grapes is that they are at once both familiar and unfamiliar - and make a refreshing change from the usual suspects.Warm, spice-infused nose, packed with damson and sloe, carraway and black pepper. Very classy palate; restrained black bramble fruit, cinnamon and clove - savoury and sleek, with tannins perfect for food. Excellent length; should improve further - very good indeed.
Bottom line is I loved it, but we have a lot to learn about Portuguese wines. I think we in the US are use to the Italian regions, the French regions... and how we in the US call everything by the grape or a made up name. Douro maybe the next Bordeaux or Sonoma... but time will tell.
Cheers Wino's
xoxoxox
