Online Exploring Portugal

Portugal has always been a little bit different. Atlantic facing, cut off from the rest of Europe, a small, slim country only 400 miles long and barely 100 miles wide. Portugal is also a country of fascinating regional contrasts; of climate, landscape, architecture and traditions. A diversity reflected in myriad native grape varieties producing wines in all styles.

For too long Portuguese wines were sparkling rosé and Port for export and still wines for a traditional domestic market. An undemanding local market untroubled by the rest of the wine world.

That was then. Now a new generation of winemaker is creating excitement. Young, well-travelled, backed by significant investment and respectful of their unique heritage. Today’s wine makers are realising the full potential of Portugal. And sales of Portuguese wines are rocketing.

Our 4 week online course features eight different wines, explores six different wine regions and tastes more unusual grape varieties than you can shake a stick at!

We start in cool, green Monção on the Spanish border. From here we’ll taste a delicate Vinho Verde made in a slightly fuller style from the Alvarinho grape. A wine that beat competition from Spanish Albariño (same grape grown in Galicia) to win a Spanish wine competition! - Este Alvarinho Reserva £14.99

From wet, coastal Portugal we head up to the heart of the Douro Valley to enjoy a taste of the arid, high slopes. Fresh red fruit and spice flavours from the traditional Port grapes; Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz and Tinta Barroca - Adega de Favaios Casa Velha Red £11.49

Down on the flat, windswept coastal strip of Bairrada we have a real treat. A 21 year old red from a top quality producer. Caves São João has one of the oldest cellars in Portugal and a reputation for releasing library wines at their optimum maturity. The blend of the local speciality Baga grape with Castelão and Moreto gives a wine of smoky notes and dark fruits with a freshness and elegance that belies its age - 1996 Poço do Lobo Reserva Red £34.99  

Still in Northern Portugal but moving inland to the granite mountains of Dao. Cabriz is the leading winery in the region. They offer a gastronomic white blend of Encruzado, Bical and Malvasia-Fina with light barrel ageing that is excellent value for money - Cabriz Vinha Maria Reserva White £11.99

Staying in the Dao, where vineyards surrounded by oak trees and pine forests add aromas of broom, pine and eucalyptus to the pure black fruit of the Touriga Nacional grape that does so well here - Jardim de Granito Touriga  Nacional £21.99

Driving towards the capital we come to the rolling coastal hills north of Lisbon. The fourth generation family owned Casa Santos Lima is the most important producer in the Lisboa wine region. Here we will have a fragrant, refreshing taste of summer from what is becoming Portugal’s signature white grape variety, Arinto - Casa Santos Lima Arinto £12.49

Our journey ends on the giant, undulating, parched plain of Alentejo and two exceptional wines.

The Austro - German Pohl family make a big complex white from an exotic blend of 50% Antao Vaz, 30% Alvarinho and 20% Viognier. Fermentation is in new French and Hungarian barrels, the wine is then aged “sur lies” with “battônage” - Grous White Reserva £26.49

Our final winemaker is a former leading ballet dancer, now top natural wine producer. Joao Afonso has collaborated with the legendary Dirk Niepoort and followed the teachings of Rui Alves, the godfather of the Portuguese natural wine movement. Obsessed with wines from old vineyards Joao follows biodynamic practices to bring us a wine from a centennial single vineyard planted with a field blend of about 14 different grapes varieties. Natural fermentation is in a cement lagar followed by 20 months ageing in old oak barrels and the wine is bottled without fining and filtering - Cabeças do Reguengo Solstício Organic Red £32.99

The case of wines has been selected from the portfolio of Marta Vines, specialist supplier of Portuguese wines to independent merchants. Carruthers & Kent are fulfilling the orders and are kindly offering the wines at a specially discounted price of £150.00 including local delivery.

Join the course and I will email the details to purchase the wines.

Course starts Thursday 7th April, 4 Weeks and all sessions are recorded if you miss a live session.

Modern Portugal - Unique, Individual, Original and Thrilling.