Willie's World - Magic in Portugal; Delicious Red Wines and Ports
The wines of Portugal are some of the most sought-after in the world, and it's not hard to see why. In the heart of Portugal, there's a place where you can find some of the best red wines in the world. Herdade de São Miguel and Quinta do Vallado represent their categories well and compete stunningly among the world’s wine stage.
Alexandre Relvas Sr. purchased the 430-acre estate of Herdade of São Miguel in the Alentejo region. It's now run by his son, who bears the same name. 86 acres are planted to Portuguese varieties like Touriga Nacional, Alicante Bouschet and Trincaceira, while 240 more acres are exclusively dedicated to cork oak trees.
As farmers, the Relvas family believes they owe the environment a debt of gratitude. Twenty percent of the vineyards are certified organic, and with each passing year, Alexandre converts more vineyards. They use nearby wetlands to filter and reuse water and employ hundreds of Merino sheep to fertilize and “weed” the soil. Also, keen to reforest the area, they have planted over 100,000 native trees.
The 2020 Herdade de São Miguel’s Sul Red, is an excellent red blend of Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet, Trincadeira, and Cabernet Sauvignon This wine is authentic with its savory spices, slight rustic notes, and black fruits. Sul Red pairs well with Mediterranean food, pasta dishes, lamb, poultry and assorted soft cheeses.
The 2020 Herdade de São Miguel Escolha Enologos, is a special red blend of Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, and Touriga Franca. Showy with bold ripe fruits and savory spices, this red wine is perfect for a backyard BBQ on a warm summer’s day.
Since 1716, Quinta do Vallado has been producing excellent wines in Portugal’s Douro Valley. It's one of the oldest and most famous wineries in all the Douro, started by the legendary Doña Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, and still belongs to the same family today. It is a sixth-generation winery, currently owned by João Ferreira Alvares Ribeiro and Francisco Ferreira. The estate produced Port wines exclusively, until the 1990’s when it expanded production into dry wines.
In a world of international wine stars, Quinta do Vallado shines brightly. The 2019 Quinta do Vallado Douro Red sails smoothly on the palate. Drink it with BBQ chicken wings with a selection of sauces. The 2017 Quinta do Vallado LBV Porto is bold, black, and intense. This red wine pairs well with chocolate mousse, devil’s food cake, and other lovely desserts.
In your quest for delicious red wines and ports, reach for Portuguese wines. I highly recommend them.
-Wilfred Wong