There is a lot of buzz in the world today about the wines of Portugal.  Actually, there is a nice article in the new Wine Spectator about it.  Because of this, I decided to post about one of the more interesting wines I have tried from Portugal. 

First things first, the winery is Quinta Do Alqueve.  The varietal is Fernao Pires.  It is named after a Portugese Merchant with the same name.  He was responisble for commercial and diplomatic relations with China in the 1500's.  I am not clear on how he got a grape named after him.  On a side note, the grape can also be called Maria Gomes in other Portugese regions.  I am not aware of her historical significance.

Back to the wine...

The first thing you will notice is the color when you pour it.  It is a deep goldenrod.  It is quite a bit bolder in color than other white varietals.  The second thing is the nose.  It explodes with fruit and makes you want to dive in.  It is reminiscent of some Marsanne's to me.  The taste is wild.  My wife said that it reminded her of Squirt soda.  Citrus and Stone Fruit explode on the palate with every sip.  It is quite nice and easy to drink.  Pour someone a glass and don't tell them what it is.  The reaction you'll get is almost guarenteed to be a great one!

Quinta Do Alqueve Fernao Pires in a nutshell:

Description:  Huge fruit on the nose and on the palate.  Large amounts of Grapefruit and Stone Fruit with hints of Lemon and Tangerine.

Pairings: This is the perfect wine for a big pan of Paella.  It would also pair well with Shrimp and Veggie shish kabobs on the grill. 

Vintages/Price:  Current Vintage is 2010 and it is featuring a new label.  I drank the 2009.  The 2010 also contains a little Ariento for a touch of acidity.  It should be between $10 and $15 depending on the vintage.

For more information, please visit http://www.robertkacherselections.com/portfolio_detail.php?itemno=q010608

When most people here the word Moscatel, there mind thinks of the dozens of sugary sweet Moscato's that they see on the shelves of their local supermarkets.   At a recent wine tasting I attended, I stood by a table where a sales rep. was pouring botani Moscatel Seco from Jorge Ordonez & Co.  He went through the questions that you normally here...Red or White? Sweeter side or Dry?  When people would answer, "White and Dry"  he would pour them botani.   Everyone shot him a look as if he did not know what he was talking about and a couple of men acutally placed their hands over their glass as he reached over to pour them a glass of the Moscatel.  He explained that it can be dry as well.  (Quick Tidbit: Seco or Sec means dry)  To everyone's dismay, from the chewy red drinker to the oaked chardonnay enthusiast, they took a sip and smiled.  Some almost seemed embarrased that they could like something produced from the Moscatel grape.
 
This wine defies the odds with not only wine drinkers but where it is produced as well.  It comes from the Sierras de Malaga.  This is a mountanous region near the Southern Tip of Spain.  It is actually very close in proximity to where most Sherry is produced. It is extremely hot and typically white wines do not do well here.  Leave it to the genius that it is Jorge Ordonez to figure out that a beautiful Moscatel can be made here.  Jorge takes chances and it almost always pays off.  botani is no exception!  Do yourself a favor and grab a bottle today, put in on ice, grab a seat on a patio and indulge!

botani In a nutshell:

Description:  Clean and Crisp with a good bit of minerality and acid.  The fruit here is tropical with hints of lime zest.

Pairings:  Any kind of seafood such as salmon, shrimp, a bowl of linguine and clam sauce, etc.   It also pairs extremely well with Thai food such as Pad Thai or Green Curry.  

Vintages/Price:  Current is 2010 but there are great deals to be found on the 2009 in most markets at this time.  Overall, it will cost you between $15 and $22 when you see it on the shelves.

For more information, please visit http://jorge-ordonez.es/our-wines/botani/?lang=en