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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NUI) - Portugal's wineries have long stood in the shadows of Europe's wine-producing giants, France, Italy and Spain. The country is known primarily for port, a hearty counterbalance to what is frequently a simple, rather gammy cuisine.
Fair or not, this bias prevents many sophisticated wine drinkers from trying some of the country's more delicate offerings, and they should.
An adventure in viniculture awaits you in Portugal, where variations in topography produce what are called "microclimates," relatively small geographic regions with weather conditions that differ from surrounding areas. These variations enable the production of many different types of wine.
About an hour's drive north of Lisbon, the capital city, in the countryside near Bombarial, is Solar dos Loridos, a beautiful 19th century manor house and headquarters for JP Wines. The company's main winemaking facility is a short distance away. They have a gigantic red called Bacalhoa, and a magnificent sparkling wine, the "Loridos," that rivals many vintage champagnes.
A few hours north of JP Wines is Estremos, home of the winery of Joao Portugal Ramos, who brought innovative winemaking methods to the region, focusing on varietals, and
producing world-class wines.
Continue your wine tasting with an excursion to nearby Herdade de Esporao in Reguengos de Monsaras. We found the 2000 trincadeira, a muscular red varietal, remarkable, but there was more to delight our taste. In fact, everywhere we went, we were blissfully seduced by remarkable reds and wonderful whites.
In the North of the country, there is the city of Porto, the bustling commercial center from which port derives its name. We suggest that you dine at the Solar do Patio, which features the excellent wines of Vinous Douro Superior, and that you visit the atmospheric riverfront with its landmark bridges and port-wine lodges lining the banks of the Douro River.
Portugal is absolutely not just port; it has a varied assortment of fine wines. The time has come for Portuguese wines to be cheered along with the French, Italian and Spanish labels. They rank among the best and deserve accolades and standing ovations. They attract admirers among all who try them. - with George Flowers
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