Another day, more wine. Sometimes, Christine McAvoy and I have the hardest lives!
Wines of Portugal hosted a tasting of a selection of great wineries from across the country, exposing the rich and varied production of this small, coastal European country. Sadly, quite a number of the wines we tasted are not yet available in BC, which was part of the point of the event - to introduce local agents to some great Portuguese wines in the hopes they do become available here soon.
Here were some of our favourites of the day:
Aveleda Vinho Verde 2012 (fresh white, great summer patio sipper)
Tapada de Coelheiros Colheita Tardia 2012 (a peachy chardonnay with a sweet nose)
Pedra Cancela Winemakers' Selection 2010 (easy drinking red)
Pedra Cancela Touriga Nacional 2011 (notes of cherry, dry and delicious)
Coroa d'Ouro red 2011 (nice nose)
Monte Ravasqueira 2012
Monte Ravasqueira Reserva 2011
Monte Ravasqueira Reserva 2012
Altano 2011 (notes of chocolate, only $16 at private liquor stores in BC, great value!)
Our FAV table: Joao Portugal Ramos
Marques de Borba 2012 (good red sipper)
Marques de Borba Reserva 2011
Duorum Colheita 2012 (rich and juicy, would be perfect with steak)
Conde de Vimioso Colheitz Selectionada 2012
Oh yeah, and the guy in the sweet pinstripe suit was Donald Ziraldo, the Managing Director of Senhora Do Convento. They had incredible port, including a delicious 20-year old Tawny.