Trading views on Portuguese wines – what do you think?
Earlier in the month I was interviewed by Maria João de Almedia about my thoughts on Portuguese wines and, specifically, the future of Portuguese wines – no little topic! The interview will be broadcast on her website next week but meantime, starting from the top, you can see what Jancis Robinson MW has to say on the subject if you click on the tab entitled “Entre Copos number 27” here. I reckon I (proudly) fall into Jancis’ “Portuguese fanatics” category!
Maria João will then also be posting interviews with fellow fanatics João Pires, the Portuguese Head Sommelier at Gordon Ramsay and Cláudio Martins of London-based Portuguese specialist importer/retailer, Castas, which I look forward to watching. But I’m just as interested in what you think? Do you have any views on Portuguese wines – favourite varieties, regions, producers and styles. Do you know enough about them, is it easy to find them in the UK? Be great to hear your thoughts – please do post a comment.
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For me Portuguese wines can be as good as any but too much of what I see, and more importantly taste, is thin and short on fruit. I really like that traditional mature red style but it has to have some substance. What dismays me about Old World winemakers is that commercial pressure to reproduce New World styles has led to so much compromise. Progress?
Hi John, thanks for your comments. Like you, I’m no fan of homogeneity and I’m pleased that Portugal’s new generation of winemakers have greater confidence and pride in their own varieties and regions. Of this generation, I think there are more and more Portuguese producers with out of the box experience – whether it’s tasting outside Portgual or making wines in the New World – who are making authentic varietal and regional expressions with ripe fruit and refined tannins – a winning combination in my view. Intelligent adaptation of New World techniques rather than slavish copying….Take Filipa Pato who has worked at Leeuwin Estate in Margaret River – I’d say Silex 2008 was probably the wine which attracted the biggest overall sigh factor from attendees at the tastings in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. For me, it’s a perfect example of that combination of substance and tradition you seek. I’m looking forward to tasting it mature!