Category Archives: Portuguese Wines

Wines of the Week: Feb. 25-March 3

Posted on March 2, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Portugal doesn’t seem to export any plonk; it’s rare on these shores to come across a Portuguese wine that disappoints. But few provide the whoa-Nelly value of the 2010 Montes Claros Alentejo Reserva ($11), which tastes like it could … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Jan. 7-13

Posted on January 13, 2013 by Bill Ward

Everyday: I bow to no one in my admiration for Portuguese reds. The ones that make it to these shores are almost uniformly swell. But too many of them hover around the $18-$22 range, which makes the DFJ Vega Douro 2009 ($12) such … Continue reading →

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Profile: Joao Silva e Sousa

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Bill Ward

Perhaps more than any European wine region, Portugal has been a battleground for old vs. new, tradition vs. technology. And perhaps no one shows how deftly those lines can be straddled better than Joao Silva e Sousa. “I’ve probably made … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Sept. 17-23

Posted on September 23, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: It’s hard to find a Portuguese red these days that doesn’t offer decent bang for the buck, but the Udaca Irreverente Tinto ($11) is a flat-out killer bargain. The usual blend of touriga nacional and other obscure (to us) grapes, this hearty red has a friendly, slightly … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: July 9-15

Posted on July 14, 2012 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Midsummer is indubitably vinho verde time. These ridiculously refreshing Portuguese whites (often green, as the name connotes) are just plain fun and low enough in alcohol for quaffing. The perennially delicious Broadbent Vinho Verde ($10.50, often less) clocks in at 9 percent alcohol … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Nov. 21-27

Posted on November 26, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: Dow is known, with good reason, for its Ports, but the Dow Vale de Bomfim Duoro Valley is a fabulous red table wine year in and year out, and an absolute steal at $12-$14. There’s vivid red fruit with … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: Aug. 15-21

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: If you buy just one bottle of the Samora Tejo 2010, you’ll almost certainly be remorseful. This is as delicious an $11 (often less) wine as I’ve encountered this year, and I wish there was about a case of it in the … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: July 25-31

Posted on July 31, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: OK, I’m about ready to utter three words that Minnesotans should never ever ever utter: Bring on winter. The ol’ sweat glands are worn out from all this heat and humidity. At the very least, it’s time for some … Continue reading →

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Think un-pink

Posted on May 29, 2011 by Bill Ward

Before writing last week’s Liquid Assets column on rosés, I attended my first Solo Vino Rosé tasting, where I discovered a few pink gems and checked out new vintages of old favorites. But the revelation of this sun-kissed day was a … Continue reading →

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Wines of the Week: April 11-17

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Bill Ward

Everyday: The more you learn about wine, the more you realize how little you really know. I had never heard of fernão pires unitil I tasted the refreshing, flavorful Samora Branco Tejo ($12). Now I know that the grape was … Continue reading →

Posted in California Wines, Portuguese Wines, Tasting Notes | 1 Comment