50 Great Portuguese Wines – passing the baton
Last January marked the start of my quest to select 50 Great Portuguese Wines 2010 and I’ve loved every minute of the journey: several trips to Portugal, a ton of tasting and, this year, presenting the fruits of my labour in London, Manchester and Edinburgh, yesterday’s final stop.
Scotland is home to next year’s incumbent, wine-pages’ Tom Cannavan, to whom I’m pictured passing the baton. In truth, a little sadly….Still, if Tom’s restaurant recommendation is anything to go by, his selection will be in the best possible taste. Had a positively thrilling dinner at Martin Wishart in Leith on the eve of the Edinburgh tasting: white asparagus and caramelised egg yolk with green pea vinaigrette followed by risotto of spelt grain with Perthshire girolles, topped off with cylinder of dark chocolate, Jivara milk chocolate mousse, lemon cream and earl grey ice cream. By far the best vegetarian fare I’ve encountered in a non-veggie restaurant. And great to find a chef who understands that going veggie doth not a hair shirt wearer make – we do eat chocolate!
Last and not least, since this is my last post about my 50 Great Portuguese Wines, I’d like to say big thanks to those who made it possible: ViniPortugal, Judy Kendrick Marketing and her team, the Association of Portuguese Wine Importers, the boys at Wine Sorted, the producers (with special thanks to those who came along) and everyone who stopped by to see what all the fuss is about – roll on 50 Great 2011!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by . said: […]
Fabulous top 50 Sarah and I heard lots of people saying how good they thought the wines were. You are going to be a hard act to follow!
Cheers Tom! I thought the same when I tasted Jamie’s 50 Great but I think Portugal has the goods, so you’ll have some happy hunting!
Great tasting Sarah and enjoyed the varied selection. Difficult to name favourites but for me the Quinta do Ameal Loureiro and the Lokal Silex were stand-out. And I loved the Quinta do Portal late-harvest wines.
Look forward to Tom’s selection next year.
Thanks Pieter and yep, hit the nail on the head – Portugal offers wine lovers so much variety!
A superb selection of wines Sarah and what a range of premium Alvarinho’s. I don’t usually single out a wine but the Poema 2007 lees aged Vinho Regional Minho demonstrated so much complexity on the nose and palate. The reds were equally stunning overall and for me, a few scored 19 out of 20 but the Quinta dos Roques Garrafeira 2003 managed to get that 19+.
Thanks for a great tasting Sarah and you have spurned me on to arranging a tasting of Portuguese wines for consumers in Scotland this year.
What an act to follow Tom.but I am already looking forward to it.
Thanks for the feedback Ian and yep, the Alvarinhos were all so different too which ratchets up the interest factor for the region. And great to hear you’re inspired to present a tasting for consumers!