Haslemere Cellar - Wine from Portugal

PORTUGAL

Portuguese wines continue to be under-appreciated. There is some really fantastic stuff out there. Don’t be put off by the unfamiliar grape varieties!

Alentejo

The Alentejo region is situated to the east of Evora which is itself east of Lisbon . It was the Adega da Cartuxa, a former Carthusian monastery, that put the area on the map under the guidance of Eugenio de Almeida.

2002	Cartuxa Branco, Adega da Cartuxa	*bottle*	£14.00
	Attractive, gently aromatic dry white – great with grilled fish.
2004	EA Tinto, Adega da Cartuxa	*bottle*	£6.99
	Soft, ripe fruit – great everyday drinking.
1999	Cartuxa Tinto Reserva, Adega da Cartuxa	*bottle*	£21.00
	Multi-layered cherry fruit, leather & spice character. Good length. Spot on for drinking now.
1998	Pera Manca Tinto, Adega da Cartuxa	*bottle*	£75.00
	One of Portugal ’s most sought after wines which changes hands for much more at home than in the UK . Intensely concentrated, almost sweet, fruit-cake, spice & leather flavours over the top of black cherry fruit. Will keep for years but very attractive for drinking already. Very limited quantities.

Bairrada

The general approach to vine growing (especially with regard to terroir) and winemaking in the Bairrada region is similar to that of Burgundy . Perhaps Reserva & Garrafeira wines should be mentally equated to Premiers and Grands Crus ?

2002	Saima Branco, Casa de Saima	*bottle*	£7.25
	Gently aromatic, fresh crisp dry white.
2001	Saima Tinto, Casa de Saima	*bottle*	£8.50
	Ripe cherry fruit with soft acidity in the finish.
2000	Saima Tinto Reserva, Casa de Saima	*bottle*	£13.35
	More sturday with firmer tannins and higher acidity. Goes well with Sucking Pig – the local speciality.
1999	Quinta das Bageiras Tinto Reserva	*bottle*	£13.50
	More earthy, spicy character than the Saima.
2000	Sodonio de Sousa Tinto Reserva	*bottle*	£9.50
	“A serious wine made with a light touch. It has lovely depth and richness – the vines are 100 years old – combined with balance and length. Extremely good value. Drink 2005-2009, 93 points.” Margaret Rand, Wine International
1995	Sodonio de Sousa Tinto Garrafeira	*bottle*	£19.50
	Big earthy, black cherry fruit. Fully mature. Great stuff.

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic

Dão

In an area renowned for mixed quality, the Quinta Fonte do Ouro produces benchmark wines from top vineyard sites. The single varietal Touriga Nacional wine doe have much more weight and concentration but the regular Reserva should not be overlooked.

2003	Fonte do Ouro Tinto Reserva, Dão	*bottle*	£9.50
2000	Fonte do Ouro Touriga Nacional, Dão	*bottle*	£16.50

Douro

Perhaps due to the British involvement in the Port trade, the table wines of the Douro have attracted the most attention of all Portuguese regions over the last few years. Dirk Niepoort is one of the region’s best ambassadors and one of the best winemakers; but don’t overlook Quinta do Vale Meão and CARM [ Celso and Rui Madeira].

2001	Redoma Douro Branco, Niepoort	*bottle*	£14.50
	Ripe, concentrated, serious white.
2004	Douro Feitoria Tinto	*bottle*	£6.25
	Great everyday, smooth, full red. Dirk Niepoort is the consultant winemaker.

2003	Quinta do Cõa, CARM, Douro Tinto	*bottle*	£7.99
	Very supple and though quite modern has no shortage of classic Douro character. Great value.
2001	Vertente DouroTinto, Niepoort	*bottle*	£13.50
2001	Redoma DouroTinto, Niepoort	*bottle*	£26.00
2001	Quinta de Macedos Douro Tinto	*bottle*	£21.00
	A stark contrast to the elegance of the Meão – big and powerful with marked smoky new oak character.
2001	Quinta do Vale Meão Douro Tinto	*bottle*	£31.00
	Made from the vineyards that previously made “Barca Velha” – one of Portugal ’s best known wines thanks to Jose Mourinho ! Has the complexity & texture of a Côte-Rôtie.
2004	Batuta DouroTinto, Niepoort	*bottle*	£45.00
	Dirk Niepoort’s much sought after top red.

Minho – Vinho Verde

Vinhos Verdes have a reputation for being sharp & tasteless tourist wines. They can be very serious indeed...

2004	Alvarinho Soalheiro Branco	*bottle*	£10.50
	Great citric fruit and lively fresh character. These wines age well taking on waxy characteristics a bit like Riesling.

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic